The Caribbean Development Bank has announced a new US$698,700 grant to help strengthen Suriname’s ability to respond to climate-related flooding, according to a press release issued by the Bank.
The funding, provided by the European Union, will support the Strengthening Flood Early Warning Systems in Suriname Project, which is being implemented through a partnership between the CDB, the EU and the Government of Suriname.
In its release, the CDB said the initiative is intended to improve preparedness and emergency response capabilities in areas vulnerable to extreme rainfall and flooding, while helping to protect lives, livelihoods and economic infrastructure.
L. O’Reilly Lewis said the financing will help address weaknesses in the country’s flood warning systems.
“This new investment will close critical gaps by upgrading hydrometeorological monitoring, strengthening forecasting capacity, improving inter-agency coordination, and ensuring that warnings are timely, accurate and actionable at both national and community levels.”
According to the release, the project is financed through the Caribbean Action for Resilience Enhancement (CARE) Programme, which is funded by the EU under the Intra-African Caribbean Pacific European Union Disaster Risk Reduction Programme.
The CDB noted that the project will modernise flood early warning systems in several low-lying and flood-prone communities, including Brokopondo, Sipaliwini, parts of Paramaribo, the Boven-Suriname watershed and vulnerable coastal areas. These regions have faced repeated disruptions to transportation, agriculture, housing and public services due to flooding caused by heavy rainfall, river system activity and geographic conditions.
Fiona Ramsey highlighted the importance of strengthening weather forecasting and climate monitoring systems throughout the region.
“This initiative reflects the European Union’s continued commitment to strengthening climate resilience in the Caribbean, under our renewed partnership with the region on Disaster Risk Management. By advancing weather forecasting capabilities and enhancing early warning systems, we are helping countries like Suriname better anticipate and respond to extreme weather events. Investing in reliable, science-based forecasting and timely alerts is essential to protecting lives, livelihoods and infrastructure, and to supporting sustainable development in the face of a changing climate.”
The press release stated that the project will include 3D hazard and flood-risk mapping, expanded meteorological and hydrological monitoring networks, improved data systems and the implementation of a Common Alerting Protocol designed to improve the dissemination of emergency warnings.
The Bank also said public education and community engagement activities will be carried out to ensure residents, particularly those in remote and vulnerable communities, understand and respond effectively to flood alerts.
The project is expected to reduce flood-related losses, strengthen food security, protect infrastructure and jobs, lower disaster-related fiscal pressures and support investor confidence.
Implementation will be led by Suriname’s Ministry of Public Works and Spatial Planning through the National Meteorological and Hydrological Service, using what the CDB described as a coordinated multi-agency approach.
Stephen Tsang welcomed the support from the CDB and the EU.
“The Government of Suriname welcomes this timely support from the CDB and the EU. Strengthening our flood early warning systems is a critical step in protecting our communities, infrastructure, and economy against the increasing impacts of climate variability. This initiative will enhance our national capacity to anticipate and respond to extreme weather events, while reinforcing our commitment to building a safer, more resilient and sustainable future for all Surinamese.”
The CDB stated that the financing aligns with its Strategic Plan 2026–2035, which focuses on strengthening social, economic and environmental resilience throughout the Caribbean. The Bank added that the initiative reflects its broader mission to reduce poverty and improve lives through resilient, inclusive and sustainable development.
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