WASHINGTON, April 25, 2013 – The World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors today approved a US$15 million grant to help the Government of Mozambique build a more climate-resilient economy and deliver reliable water and weather information to people throughout Mozambique, especially those living in areas affected by adverse weather.
The grant financing package for the Climate Resilience: Transforming Hydrological and Meteorological Services Project comes from the World Bank’s Climate Investment Funds, (CIF) which was set up to promote low-emission and climate-resilient growth.
Ranked third among countries in Africa most-at-risk of extreme water and weather events, Mozambique regularly suffers the effects of floods, droughts, storms and cyclones. With more than 60% of the Mozambican population living in low-lying flat areas and in coastal zones, exposure to floods and cyclones is high and even small changes in sea level or river flow have far reaching impacts.
“The Mozambican economy is experiencing rapid sustained economic growth, however as evidenced by the devastating floods earlier this year, the country remains vulnerable to water- and weather-related hazards,” said Laurence C. Clarke, World Bank Country Director for Mozambique. “To protect and enhance economic gains, today’s funding will support the Government’s commitment to build future climate change resilience and more effective management of water resources and weather conditions.”
The program will help the Mozambique Government strengthen its hydrological and meteorological information services across national, provincial, and local communities. To achieve and sustain these objectives, the project includes resources for training and skills-development of staff and institutional strengthening. The project will help decrease vulnerability in areas at risk to adverse weather, such as agriculture, fishery/maritime, hydropower, transportation, infrastructure and health.
“Hydrological and meteorological information provides a foundation for early warning systems that can prevent losses, enhance the productivity of key economic sectors, and build resilience to the impacts of climate change targeting poorer segments of Mozambican society,” said Louise Croneborg, Task Team Leader for the Project. “The project will tackle many of the challenges facing water-and weather-related information services and help authorities better address the long term impacts of climate change, along with the short term response to the cycle of floods and droughts to improve development outcomes.”
