Context
Burundi is the 14th most vulnerable country and is the 17th least ready country–meaning that it is extremely vulnerable to, yet very unready to combat climate change effects. Climate adaptation requires changes in behavior and appropriate technologies and measures to increase the resilience to floods and drought and provide protection to the main sectors such as agriculture, (critical) infrastructure, people and the environment where the risk of storm surge and flooding is imminent.
The population of Burundi belongs to the poorest segment in the region and does not have the capacity and the means to invest in infrastructural improvements for flood prevention, such as concrete dams. Nor do they have the capacity to respond adequately to flooding emergencies by constructing bridges in flooded areas. Within Burundi there is a lack of creation, sharing or appropriate use of data, information and knowledge for climate adaptation. Institutional and organisational barriers lead to unclear and unestablished roles and responsibilities when it comes to climate adaptation. Furthermore, agriculture, buildings and roads are not developed to be flood resilient. The (local) government does not have the capacity and resources to address the problems. The environmental degradation and the propensity for flooding in various areas have exacerbated the flooding situation.
CTCN Support
- Select and implement a low-cost, climate resilient, re-usable, easy replicable, scalable and mobile flood barrier to prevent damage from flooding and ensure water availability in times of drought in one pilot site of Rubira Hills, Musenyi area of Mpanda Commune in Bubanza, Burundi.
Expected Results
This project will empower Burundi to effectively adapt to climate change. The mobile flood barrier should enable effective flood prevention and water storage to ensure water availability in times of drought. The mobile flood barrier will be used to prevent damage to agriculture, infrastructure, the people and the environment caused by flooding. Water control will also contribute to an increase in agriculture production and therewith food security. By implementing the selected technology, institutions should be enforced to establish governance structures aimed at enhancing resilience against climate change in the form of floods and droughts. The implementation of the technology should also lead to better use of weather forecasting data.
Once the project will be completed successfully, the country of Burundi aims to scale up the implementation of the selected solution across the country to enhance resilience against climate change. The outcome of the project would enable the country to mobilize funds from international donors.
