18 Sep 2018

World Bank gives US$36m for climate resiliency of Samoa's roads

10:05 am on 18 September 2018

The World Bank has approved a nearly US$36 million grant to improve the climate resilience of Samoa's road network.

Cyclone Tuni caused flooding, landslips and damage to roads and bridges in Samoa.

Photo: Sarah Postlewait

It said thousands of residents on Samoa's main islands, Upolu and Savai'i, stand to benefit.

The bank's Pacific director Michel Kerf said Samoa's road network was vulnerable to sea level rise, storm surges, flooding and landslides.

It will provide technical assistance to factor climate change into development plans, fund upgrades on the East Coast and West Coast roads, as well as bridge and ford replacements.

A portion of the fund will be ringfenced to allow Samoa's government to fund reconstruction needs after a major disaster.