The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a $16.7 million grant to support Fiji’s efforts to protect coastal communities from storm surges, sea level rise, and coastal erosion. The grant will fund the Enhancing Climate Resilience of Coastal Communities Sector Project, which aims to reduce vulnerability to extreme weather events while strengthening the resilience of communities dependent on coastal and fisheries-based livelihoods.
Aaron Batten, Regional Director of ADB’s Pacific Subregional Office, noted that the project will directly benefit about 15 vulnerable coastal communities, focusing on low-income households and those headed by women. The Fijian government estimates that cyclones and flooding cause average annual losses equivalent to 5.8% of the country’s gross domestic product, highlighting the urgent need for resilient infrastructure and community protection measures.
The project will implement nature-based coastal protection measures, restoring approximately 3,000 meters of coastline and riverbanks through mangrove planting and revegetation. It will also enhance community engagement and build the institutional capacity of the government to design, implement, and manage integrated coastal protection strategies to mitigate the impacts of sea level rise and extreme weather events.
The initiative is funded by a $15 million grant from ADB’s Asian Development Fund, which provides support to the poorest and most vulnerable countries in Asia and the Pacific. Between 2021 and 2024, the fund helped 384,000 people rise out of poverty and generated around 500,000 jobs, demonstrating its impact in promoting inclusive growth and resilience.
Established in 1966, ADB is a leading multilateral development bank owned by 69 members, including 50 from the region. The bank supports inclusive, resilient, and sustainable growth across Asia and the Pacific, leveraging innovative financial tools and strategic partnerships to transform lives, build quality infrastructure, and protect the environment.
