Washington, DC (TDN) More than 170,000 Belizeans will benefit from
improved climate resilient roads and capacity to manage climate risks and
impacts as a result of a US$30 million project approved by the World Bank s
Board of Directors.
This project will enable Belize to implement mitigation and adaptation
strategies in the war against this global threat as it relates to the negative
effects on Belize s economic growth and welfare of its present and future
generations, said Ambassador Yvonne Hyde, Chief Executive Officer, Ministry of
Finance and Economic Development.
The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change identified Belize as
one of the most vulnerable countries to the adverse impacts of climate change.
More than half its population and business centers are at sea level along its
low lying coastline. Hurricane Hattie destroyed half of Belize City in 1961,
killing 400 people and causing damages amounting to over 600 percent of GDP,
which prompted the government to build a new administrative capital 50 miles
inland in Belmopan.
Belize is particularly vulnerable to climate change and natural hazards. This
project is an important contribution to address the impacts of climate change
on the country s social and economic development as part of the National
Climate Resilient investment plan, said Sophie Sirtaine, World Bank Country
Director for the Caribbean.
With the upcoming UN Conference on Small Islands Developing States in Samoa
next week, this is also an opportunity to draw attention to the efforts needed
to boost the resilience of Caribbean states that are particularly hit by rising
sea level, flooding, hurricanes, and other disasters, she added.
The climate resilient infrastructure project will:
" Rehabilitate 30 km of roads and train 100 people on road maintenance
" Improve 12 bridges and culverts
" Operationalize the National Land Use Policy and develop 26 localized hazard
maps
" Train government staff in new flood tracking methods.
This five year project is financed from an International Bank for
Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) loan of US$30 million to the Government
of Belize. It has a final maturity of 40 years, with a five year grace period.
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