Central African Republic building resilience through flood-proofing cities

BANGUI, Central African Republic (MNTV)- Facing devastating floods and increasing urbanization, the Central African Republic (CAR) is launching a $70 million project to build resilient cities, providing a lifeline for its most vulnerable populations. 

The CAR Inclusive and Resilient Cities Project (PROVIR), funded by global partners, aims to protect cities like Bangui and Berberati from natural disasters while fostering economic empowerment, reports Relief Web.

PROVIR will benefit 1.6 million people by constructing critical infrastructure, including improved drainage systems and erosion control measures. A unique aspect is its integrated approach to water and soil management, utilizing nature-based solutions (NBS) like tree planting and retention basins. This innovative method addresses gully erosion, a major challenge in CAR, by using vegetation to stabilize land and reduce flood risks.

The project prioritizes CAR’s most at-risk populations, including women, youth, and internally displaced persons. Local groups are being trained to establish horticulture areas in flood-prone neighborhoods, creating both environmental protection and livelihoods.

PROVIR serves as a model for fragile countries, employing advanced technology like LiDAR and drones for precise risk assessment. With support from the Global Facility for Disaster Risk Reduction and Recovery (GFDRR), the project incorporates evidence-based NBS, demonstrating their potential to reduce disaster risks and promote social and economic benefits.

By combining advanced technology with sustainable solutions, CAR is pioneering an approach that can influence disaster risk management strategies across the region, showing that even the most vulnerable contexts can build resilience and inclusion.