Suriname: Paramaribo Climate Resilience and Flood Management Technical Assistance

Context and objectives

This project built on the findings and recommendations of the ACP-EU NDRR project "Greater Paramaribo Flood Risk Management Program", which assessed flood risk in the Greater Paramaribo Area and assisted the Government of Suriname to develop a Prioritized Flood Management Investment Plan. One of the prioritized investments identified was an investment in the Saramacca Canal, in order to reduce the risk of floods and improve the overall management of the Saramacca Canal.

The Government requested a follow-up study to further specify this investment in the Saramacca Canal, support for the implementation of the investment, and capacity building.

Main Activities and results

Component 1: Building climate resilience in the Greater Paramaribo Area. 

A sensitivity analysis of the previous technical study financed by the ACP-EU NDRR Program was conducted by modelling the available digital elevation. This sensitivity analysis allowed the government to optimize resources for more effective flood mitigation measures. In addition, the project supported the government in assessing the environment and social impact of the intervention and engaged citizens with two separate consultations and a public hearing in the project areas. The citizens positively received the initiative and the potential new investment and welcomed the opportunity to continue to be engaged during the lifespan of the World Bank-funded project. Furthermore, a hydraulic modelling for the Saramacca Canal drainage network was undertaken which improved the initial overall strategic flood risk assessment delivered under the previous ACP-EU NDRR project in Suriname. The project also undertook the procurement and installation of 13 water-level stations that will inform the preparation of the Paramaribo Drainage Master Plan.

Component 2: Building capacity in Government institutions for flood risk management.

This component supported the Government during the first years of the investment implementation. The component also contributed to building government capacities to manage floods by supporting the capacity for modelling, forecasting, and pre-alerting the potential threats caused by floods.

Partnerships and coordination

The activities of the project were consistent with and complementary to the objectives of other DRM projects and initiatives in Suriname, such as the Global Climate Change Alliance+ project implemented by UNDP.