The World Bank Mission team, led by Mr. Jerome Bezzina, the Task Team Leader project and Dr. Ibrahim Waheed, Project Manager for DMADD and the Team, recently concluded a four-day visit to Fuvahmulah City from October 18th to October 21st, 2023. The team, comprising Ms. Priyanka Dissanayake, Disaster Management Specialist, and Ms. Alice Soares, Hydromet Consultant, aimed to assess and advance initiatives related to climate resilience, specifically in response to the unexpected severe flooding experienced by the city since 2020.

The impetus for the visit came from the Mayor of Fuvahmulah City, Mr. Ismail Rafeeq, who had previously addressed the issue during the "Unlocking the Power of Digital Data & Technologies for Climate Resilience" workshop in December 2022. Mayor Rafeeq highlighted the unusual flooding, despite no significant change in rainfall according to nearby weather stations. He emphasized the need for an early technology warning system to enhance the community's resilience.

The pilot is focused on Component 3 of the DMADD project, which involves leveraging digital technologies for climate adaptation. 600,000 USD for the implementation of the pilot digital technology-based Floods and Storm Water Management system, as well as a water level monitoring system and an Early Warning System for Fuvahmulah City.

During the visit, the team inspected pilot project sites, surveyed the existing flood systems on Fuvahmulah Island, and familiarized themselves with the geography which will be valuable for commencing the pilot project. The goal is to utilize innovative digital technologies, tools, and analytics to enhance data collection and analysis on climate-critical ecosystems.

In addition to engaging with the project's technical aspects, the World Bank Mission held crucial meetings with Fuvahmulah City Council members and other key stakeholders. The council, represented by Mayor Ismail Rafeeq, Councilor Aishath Abdul Gadhir, and Acting Secretary General Ahmed Ibrahim, expressed concerns over the lack of usable data for effective disaster risk management at the local level.

Furthermore, the team convened with various local entities, including representatives from Fuvahmulah Nature Park, MPS (Maldives Police Service), FYSDA (Fuvahmulah Youth & Sports Development Association), Women in Fuvahmulah, and the Maldives Red Crescent. Discussions encompassed the current disaster collaboration mechanisms, with a notable emphasis on empowering women through disaster training, recognizing their pivotal role in the community when male members are away for livelihood activities such as fishing.

The field visit has opened door for positive collaborative efforts between the DMADD project and Fuvahmulah City stakeholders and underscore a commitment to building resilience against the impacts of climate change and ensuring the safety and well-being of the island's inhabitants.