The World Bank has approved a Global Environment Facility grant to support early warning systems and adaptation in vulnerable coastal communities, to improve the resilience of Sao Tome and Principe to the impacts of climate change.
31 May 2011: The World Bank Board has approved a Global Environment Facility (GEF) grant of US$4.1 million to support São Tomé and Principe in increasing its adaptive capacity to the adverse impacts of climate variability and change.
As an island nation, São Tomé and Principe will focus on coastal early warning systems and safety at sea by disseminating timely forecasts prior to extreme events. It will distribute safety equipment and provide training on safety at sea, and will reinforce community emergency preparedness.
According to the World Bank, the project also will address coastal erosion and inundation through the piloting of participatory adaptation measures in vulnerable coastal communities, and by raising public awareness and implementing improved coastal resilience policies. [World Bank Press Release]