reduce flood risk

The proposed Project has drawn on international best practices such as “working with nature”.

Investments will include a variety of green infrastructure measures, sustainable and climate-smart agricultural practices, and livelihoods diversification. Green infrastructure will be designed in conjunction with gray infrastructure to optimize the functionality, cost-effectiveness, and resilience of the integrated natural and built system.

The project used farmer-led natural regeneration, which is mostly to create food forests, but also improve forest cover to reduce water runoff and maximizing rain infiltration (and protection from wind).

The project will use green infrastructure, such as green roofs and green spaces to reduce energy consumption, but also reduce flooding.

The project will support the design nd pilot implementation of the Community Adaptation Fund (CAF) in the Gicumbi District. This includes piloting landscape restoration in the Gicumbi District through the CAF on investments such as catchment restoration and rehabilitation through reforestation, silvo-pastoralism and other watershed protection measures that have demonstrated community resilience to climate change. The project will also support the development of flagship programs such as Water Security for All Flagship Program.

Project preparation advance (PPA) enabled the Freetown City Council (FCC) in partner with CBOs to plant and grow 225,000 trees in 48 reforestation areas across Freetown. Phase 1 of the tree planting has been completed and created 550 short term-jobs, especially for youth, women and other vulnerable groups affected by the economic impact of COVID-19. Phase 2 will focus on tree monitoring to ensure a high tree survival rate and knowledge development based on lessons learned for further capacity building.

The project used the restoration of vegetative cover and sustainable management of watersheds to reduce erosion and disaster risks.

The project will dekiver road rehabilitation and new road works and pavements using weather resistant paving material to withstand extreme weather events, introducing the use of green and nature-based infrastructure to mitigate floods and, when necessary, constructing wider drains and culverts to accommodate heavy precipitation, undertaking slope stabilization to protect against climate risks.

The project financed a cash-for-trees program which part of an erosion prevention activity that provided incentives for smallholders to reforest their lands in the watersheds surrounding the irrigated areas.

The project will rehabilitate local parks and green spaces to better manage stormwater runoff and help reduce the urban heat island effect.