The Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) has approved a grant of more than USD 698,700, funded by the European Union, to expand climate resilience efforts across vulnerable regions in Suriname. The financing supports the Strengthening Flood Early Warning Systems in Suriname” project, which is being implemented in partnership with the Government of Suriname. The initiative is intended to better protect communities, infrastructure, agriculture, and economic activities from increasingly severe climate-related events.

Director of Projects at the CDB, L. O’Reilly Lewis, said the project will address major weaknesses in Suriname current warning systems. According to Lewis, the initiative will modernize hydrometeorological monitoring systems, improve forecasting capacity, strengthen coordination among agencies, and ensure warnings reach communities quickly and accurately.

Several high-risk and low-lying areas are expected to benefit from the project, including Brokopondo, Sipaliwini, parts of Paramaribo, the Upper Suriname watershed, and vulnerable coastal zones frequently affected by flooding caused by intense rainfall and river overflows.

European Union Ambassador to Barbados, the Eastern Caribbean States and the OECS, Fiona Ramsey, emphasized that reliable forecasting systems and timely alerts are critical for strengthening climate resilience in the Caribbean. She noted that the initiative reflects the EU’s continued commitment to helping countries like Suriname better anticipate and respond to extreme weather events.

The project will also include the development of 3D flood-risk and hazard maps, expanded meteorological and hydrological monitoring systems, advanced data platforms, and a Common Alerting Protocol to improve the dissemination of warnings. Public awareness campaigns and community engagement programs will ensure alerts are understood and acted upon, especially in remote and vulnerable communities.

Suriname Minister of Public Works, Stephen Tsang, welcomed the financing and described it as an important step toward strengthening the country’s capacity to respond to climate variability and protect communities, infrastructure, and the economy.

Implementation of the project will be led by the Ministry of Public Works through the National Meteorological and Hydrological Service. Besides improving disaster preparedness, the initiative is also expected to support food security, protect infrastructure and jobs, reduce flood-related economic losses, and strengthen investor confidence in Suriname’s long-term resilience.