LocationsStrengthening coastal resilience in Tulagi
November 2, 2023
The new sea wall constructed in the coastal area of the Diocese of Central Solomon in Tulagi.
Tulagi, Solomon Islands - The construction of a new sea wall on Tulagi Island has expanded coastal protection against erosion, benefiting residents of the surrounding Diocese of the Anglican Church of Melanesia in the Central Province of Solomon Islands.
Tulagi Island is proving to be increasingly vulnerable due to climate change. When hit by extreme weather, the small island and former capital of the Solomon Islands, is becoming prone to climate-related disasters, specifically flooding of coastal areas. In addition, floods, big waves and high swells are leading to coastal erosion, something that was increasingly noticeable around the area where the Diocese of Central Solomon sits.
However, now this new sea wall aims at fortifying the area's coastal defences.
The initiative is supported by the Global Environment Facility through their Small Grants Programme, administered by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Solomon Islands.
The programme has a multifaceted approach in that encompasses not only the physical construction of the sea wall but also an integrated strategy for its construction, involving community-based training and income generating activity, participatory risk mapping, and the cultivation of adaptive capacity among local leaders and community members. By factoring in climate change projections and employing disaster prevention and preparedness training, the project seeks to bolster the community's resilience to natural disasters and the adverse impacts of climate change they faced.
The initiative achieves several key results, including an improved coastal zone and a reinforced disaster management system. It aspires to safeguard not only the physical infrastructure of the Diocese of Central Solomon but also the livelihoods and wellbeing of local residents and parishioners who call this vulnerable coastal region home.
As James Voah, Secretary of the Diocese, explains “It is a vital project for our community and we really appreciated the support offered by the Small Grants Project of the Global Environment Facility. With rising concerns about the effects of climate change, the construction of a robust sea wall had become an urgent necessity for the safety and security of our local community of around 300 inhabitants.”
After its construction, the inner faces of the wall will be reinforced and backfilled with rocks and soil and the outer sides are being replanted with mangrove to further fortifying the rampart-effect of it.
By addressing the needs of this coastal area in Tulagi, the initiative aspires to serve as a model in effective climate mitigation and proactive disaster management strategy for other communities of Solomon Islands facing similar environmental challenges.
The Small Grants Programme (SGP) is a corporate programme of the Global Environment Facility (GEF) implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) since 1992.
