The Green Climate Fund (GCF) Board has approved a USD 25.1 million grant to undertake a project on building climate resilient, safer islands in the Maldives.
The project is implemented in partnership with Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) which is co-financing an additional USD 35.4 million in grants, with a government of the Maldives co-financing USD 5.5 million in budgetary and in-kind contributions. In line with the Government's Strategic Action Plan, the project aims to reduce vulnerability of Maldives to climate change from increase in coastal disaster risk and land loss due to acceleration of coastal erosion through four main components.
Component one will establish integrated coastal zone management (ICZM) to balance coastal development and coastal conservation at inhabited islands. This includes undertaking an inventory study and risk assessment on present coastal and coral reef conditions, and preparation of ICZM plans.
The second component will implement coastal conservation and protection measures at selected sites in Maamendhoo, Fonadhoo, Gan and Isdhoo in Laamu Atoll as well as Addu City Meedhoo. Community based beach monitoring and management structures will be established as part of these measures.
In addition, the national disaster warning and information dissemination system will be strengthened under the project, with a system for disaster warning and information dissemination. Furthermore, wave and sea level observation equipment and their analysis will be introduced. In addition, a monitoring system for coast, coral reef, and land use will be developed under the project.