On March 2, 2025, Suriname signed a $22.2 million project with the World Bank to enhance resilience against environmental shocks. This initiative will directly benefit 50,000 residents and focuses on flood risk management and community-led projects, particularly those led by women. The project addresses vulnerabilities, especially in Greater Paramaribo, with the aim of preventing significant economic losses from flooding.
On March 2, 2025, the World Bank announced that Suriname has signed a significant project aimed at enhancing its resilience against environmental shocks. This initiative marks a key step in their development cooperation, following the approval of the Suriname Preparedness and Enhancing Resilient Communities Project by the World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors. The project reflects a commitment to improve disaster preparedness and management within the nation.
Provided through the International Development Association, the $22.2 million project is the first of its kind to be financed since Suriname became a member of this World Bank entity in October 2024. It is designed to directly benefit approximately 50,000 residents in the capital region, with a focus on improving flood risk management and establishing community-led resilience initiatives, prominently featuring women in leadership roles.
Recognizing Suriname’s vulnerability to recurrent floods caused by coastal and rainfall-related factors, the World Bank reports that over 87 percent of the nation’s population resides along the low-lying coastal plain. The Greater Paramaribo area, which houses 67 percent of the population, is particularly susceptible due to inadequate drainage systems and poor maintenance strategies. Without intervention, annual flood-induced damage is expected to escalate to $140 million by 2040.
Suriname’s Minister of Finance and Planning, Stanley Raghoebarsing, emphasized the milestone significance of this project as an investment in future community resilience. He stated that the partnership with the World Bank represents decisive action aimed at safeguarding the population while promoting sustainable development initiatives throughout the region.
The initiative will bolster resilience by curbing urban flooding, enhancing disaster risk management, and supporting community-driven adaptation strategies. Upgrades to drainage infrastructure in Greater Paramaribo will also improve emergency preparedness and support local resilience projects. This is a transformative opportunity for the country, according to Diletta Doretti, the World Bank’s Resident Representative for Suriname, who highlighted the project’s potential to enhance safety and community strength in the face of climate challenges.
The signing of the Suriname Preparedness and Enhancing Resilient Communities Project signifies a vital development in the nation’s approach to environmental shocks and disaster management. Through a partnership with the World Bank, Suriname aims to improve resilience strategies, benefitting thousands of residents, particularly women-led initiatives. This proactive investment is essential for safeguarding the future stability and economic security of Suriname’s communities.
Original Source: www.jamaicaobserver.com
