The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has allocated a grant of $36 million to bolster Fiji’s initiatives aimed at safeguarding vulnerable coastal communities against the impacts of storm surges, rising sea levels, and coastal erosion. This funding will support the “Enhancing Climate Resilience of Coastal Communities Sector Project,” designed to mitigate exposure to extreme weather events while enhancing the long-term resilience of communities that rely heavily on coastal and fisheries-based livelihoods.
Aaron Batten, the Regional Director of ADB’s Pacific Subregional Office, stated that the project is set to directly benefit approximately 15 at-risk coastal communities throughout Fiji. “The project’s primary goal is to support the Government of Fiji’s efforts to improve community resilience, particularly among those reliant on coastal and fisheries-based livelihoods,” Mr. Batten explained. He further emphasized the initiative’s focus on assisting low-income households, particularly those led by women.
The necessity for such measures is underscored by government estimates indicating that cyclones and flooding result in average annual losses equivalent to 5.8 percent of Fiji’s gross domestic product, which highlights the critical need to enhance climate resilience.
The project will incorporate nature-based coastal protection methods, including the restoration of around 3,000 meters of coastline and riverbanks through initiatives like revegetation and mangrove planting. Additionally, it aims to foster stronger community engagement and enhance the government’s ability to design, implement, and manage integrated coastal protection solutions that address the challenges posed by rising sea levels and increasingly severe weather occurrences.
This initiative is financed through a $15 million grant from ADB’s Asian Development Fund, which is dedicated to providing support to the poorest and most vulnerable nations within Asia and the Pacific. Between 2021 and 2024, the fund has played a crucial role in helping approximately 384,000 individuals escape poverty, while also generating around 500,000 jobs across the region. Through these concerted efforts, Fiji is taking significant steps to build resilience against climate change and protect its coastal communities for the future.