MONROVIA — The Government of Liberia, through the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in partnership with the African Development Bank (AfDB), has officiated a significant $10 million grant from the Green Climate Fund (GCF).
Speaking at an opening session of a 3-day inception workshop on July 23, 2024, held at the office of the African Development Bank (ABD), Deputy Executive Director of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Dweh Boley, emphasized that climate change poses a substantial challenge to human development, affecting Liberia as well.
He cited that the country grapples with climate hazards such as irregular rainfall, rising temperatures, frequent tropical storms, and the threat of rising sea levels.
Boley said the GCF’s approval of this grant underscores its commitment to supporting Liberia in tackling these climate-related challenges.
“The Climate Information Services (CIS) project aims to strengthen climate resilience, adaptation, and decision-making processes in Liberia” he asserted
The EPA Deputy narrated that it will provide critical information products and services to enhance decision-making across climate-sensitive sectors, including agriculture, health, water and sanitation, disaster risk reduction, transport, aviation, infrastructure, and energy.
“Permit me to extend my profound thanks and appreciation to the Green Climate Fund for approving the US$10 million grant through the African Development Bank for implementing the CIS Project in Liberia,” Boley expressed.
AfDB’s Country Manager, Mr. Benedict Kanu, stated that the project would strengthen Liberia’s capacity to produce tailored, sector-specific climate information services.
This initiative is expected to benefit 4.38 million vulnerable people, with the number rising to 6.26 million by 2038, the ADB Country Manager narrated.
Kanu emphasized that weather disasters currently cost the country around US$6.17 million annually, with projections indicating this figure could double in the next decade and triple by 2040.
“There is an urgent need to strengthen, modernize, and harmonize hydromet services to improve preparedness and early warning systems, saving lives and reducing economic losses,” he asserted.
Mr. Kanu also noted that the project would provide for the installation of a weather radar at Liberia’s Roberts International Airport and establish unmanned aerial systems for upper-air observation. Additionally, it will promote the development of interlinked community and national early warning systems.
He pointed out that the AfDB is committed to supporting these efforts, which are essential for building climate and disaster resilience in Africa.
Legal Director of the National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA), Ellen Ziah-Nimely, stated that the project would enhance information systems for resilience development.
She emphasized that this project would create a roadmap for strengthening Liberia’s climate database and integrating disaster and climate risk management at both national and community levels.
The CIS project aims to establish a national institution with the mandate to enhance Liberia’s resilience to climate-induced hazards. The project will also strengthen the country’s adaptive capacities to integrate long-term climate risk and adaptation measures into national planning.
The opening session was attended by representatives from the EPA, the African Development Bank, the National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA), the Ministry of Agriculture, the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning (MFDP), the Ministry of Gender and Children Protection, and others.
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