The funding, which includes a $4 million concessional loan and a $17.95 million grant from the Asian Development Fund, will strengthen the Maldives’ resilience to natural disasters and climate change. According to an ADB release, the Asian Development Fund provides grants to ADB’s poorest and most vulnerable developing member countries, and the financing package aims to bolster the nation’s ability to withstand disasters and climate change. The project, known as the Enhancing Climate Resilience and Food Security Project, will upgrade early warning systems in Addu City and Malé.
“Majority of Maldives’ islands and atolls lie less than one meter above sea level making them highly vulnerable to climate change. Threats such as coastal erosion, sea level rise, and increasing frequency of cyclones pose a major concern for short- and long-term food security of the population. Increasing extreme weather events cause food supply chain disruptions for the import-dependent country,” said ADB Principal Natural Resources and Agriculture Economist Michiko Katagami. “This project will introduce a holistic adaptation investment approach, combining innovative infrastructure solutions with nature-based initiatives and urban farming to build lasting resilience.”
The project will enhance the Maldives Meteorological Service’s capacity to monitor weather conditions in real time and issue timely alerts. The initiative will include community training and awareness-raising programs on climate change adaptation measures, disaster preparedness, and response.
The project will help Kulhudhuffushi Island, the most populous island in the northern region, enhance its flood protection and management capabilities. This will be accomplished by constructing stormwater drainage and filtration systems, restoring mangrove areas, and implementing other nature-based solutions. To protect the coast and retain sand, the project will construct offshore and nearshore infrastructure, such as artificial reefs, berms, and groynes, the release added.