8 April 2011: The Global Environment Facility (GEF) recently approved a project to integrate climate change risks and resilience into forestry management in Samoa, thus contributing to food security, increased yields and crop variety, and health benefits.

The project will cover approximately 10,000 hectares of native forest areas, and at least 20,000 hectares of lowland agroforestry areas and will be funded by US$2.6 million from the Kyoto Protocol’s Least Developed Countries Fund (LDCF), and implemented by the UN Development Programme (UNDP). It aims to increase resilience to climate change of 26 villages in three different areas of the country, focusing on activities to: build stakeholder capacity to increase resilience against and identify options to address climate change risks; enhance community capabilities to develop and implement response strategies and measures to respond to the adverse effects of climate change; and improve local awareness and understanding of communities and other key stakeholders about the necessity and benefits of preparedness for climate change risks. [GEF Press Release]