The Asian Development Bank will provide a $2 million grant to prepare the Nadi Flood Alleviation Project.
Regional Director of ADB’s Pacific Sub-Regional Office in Fiji, Masayuki Tachiiri highlighted during the 52nd Annual Meeting of ADB’s Board of Governors in Denarau, Nadi that the grant will come from the Japan Fund for Poverty Reduction, a financing facility provided by the Government of Japan.
He adds that the ADB is pleased to partner with the Government of Fiji to help protect Nadi from increasingly regular flood events.
Tachiiri also highlighted that this partnership recognizes the economic importance of Nadi as a vital hub for logistics and tourism for Fiji, and the wider Pacific subregion.
Permanent Secretary for Economy, Makereta Konrote also pointed out that Fiji has experienced more than one flood annually for the last 40 years with particularly devastating floods in 2004, 2009, 2012, and two events in 2014.
She also stressed that urgent action is needed now on adaptation and building resilience, and Fiji is pleased to partner with ADB to advance project development.
The ADB assistance will identify an economically optimal flood alleviation investment that reduces economic and social losses and loss of life from floods in the Nadi area.
It will also consider future scenarios of population growth, changes in land‑use, and climate change and the Technical Assistance will promote nature‑based approaches and options to introduce adaptability to climate change outcomes to improve resilience.
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