The World Bank has signed a USD 16.5 million project to support resilient urban development and disaster preparedness in the Maldives. The agreement was virtually signed by Minister of Finance Ibrahim Ameer and the World Bank Country Director for the Maldives, Nepal and Sri Lanka Dr. Idah Pswarayi-Riddihough.
The Maldives Urban Development and Resilience Project will support the efforts of the government to modernise the urban infrastructure of the Maldives, enabling its expansion while making it more climate resilient. The project will include renewal of the obsolete storm water drainage system in the Malé City, the bulk of which is over forty years old and has not been functional for the past decade.
The project will also fund a sewage treatment plant in Hulhumalé to reduce the release of untreated wastewater into the sea, protecting fisheries and tourism industry from pollution. The project will also help the Maldives better manage the impact of climate change risks by strengthening emergency preparedness, including the provision of modern early warning systems engaging citizens.
World Bank Country Director Idah Pswarayi-Riddihough said social distancing is particularly challenging in congested cities, and the efforts of the government to develop regional hubs and a housing policy that reduces congestion are key to building the resilience of the country to natural disasters and disease outbreaks.
Task team leaders for the project Kwabena Amankwah-Ayeh and Suranga Kahandawa said with the incidence of fires on the rise, improving drainage and helping store rainwater will not only increase the availability of fresh water on these islands, it will also make more water available for fire-fighting in the crowded urban environments.
The Urban Development and Resilience Project will be implemented by the Ministry of National Planning and Infrastructure with support from the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), Male' City Council, Addu City Council, Housing Development Corporation (HDC) and Male' Water and Sewerage Company (MWSC). The total project cost is USD 16.5 million, including a USD 8.25 million grant and a USD 8.25 million credit from the International Development Association.