The West Africa Coastal Areas Resilience Investment Project 2 (WACA ResIP 2) – The Gambia is a major initiative funded by the World Bank through a US$45 million grant. It is part of a larger regional program (West Africa Coastal Areas Management Program) across nine West African countries to protect coastal areas and strengthen community resilience against the impacts of climate change, flooding, erosion, and pollution. In The Gambia, the project focuses primarily on restoring and reprofiling the Kotu Stream to protect over 200,000 people and enhance institutional and community resilience.

The Project Development Objective (PDO) is to strengthen the resilience of targeted communities and areas in coastal Western Africa.

Specifically, the WACA Project aims to:

• ■Reduce flood risks and improve drainage in the Greater Banjul Area, particularly along the Kotu Stream.
• ■Restore natural ecosystems to strengthen defenses against climate hazards.
• ■Support sustainable livelihoods for communities through social and economic initiatives.
• ■Strengthen national legislation, policies, and institutions focused on disaster risk management, climate change adaptation, and sustainable urban planning.
• ■Promote community engagement and ownership to ensure long-term sustainability.

A study conducted in 2020 identified the Kotu Stream as one of the most critical flood hotspots in the Greater Banjul Area. Its proximity to the Atlantic Ocean, the dense population along its banks, and the risks posed by urban flooding and pollution made it a priority. In 2021, a national workshop with government and community stakeholders confirmed Kotu Stream as the key intervention site for the WACA Project to maximize impact on flood resilience and urban sustainability.

The project is undertaking major hybrid infrastructure works, including:

• ■Reprofiling and restoring (widening) the Kotu Stream.
• ■Installing primary and secondary drainage systems.
• ■Building bridges to improve accessibility across the Stream.
• ■Protecting and restoring mangrove areas to act as natural flood buffers.
• ■Installing hydrological monitoring systems to strengthen early warning systems for floods.

These works combine grey (engineered) and green (nature-based) solutions to deliver resilient, environmentally friendly outcomes.

WACA supports institutional strengthening by:

• ■ Developing key policies and legislation, including a Climate Change Act, National Land Policy, and Disaster Risk Management Policy.
• ■ Training technical agencies like the National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA), the National Environment Agency (NEA), and the Department of Water Resources (DWR) to improve their disaster response and planning capacities.
• ■ Enhancing the capacity of municipal councils (Kanifing Municipal Council and Brikama Area Council) to manage urban planning, waste management, and flood control.
• ■ Promoting better governance and coordination across agencies working on coastal resilience.

WACA enhances climate resilience by:

• ■ Building flood-resilient infrastructure.
• ■ Restoring mangrove ecosystems and wetlands that act as natural carbon sinks and protect against coastal erosion.
• ■ Strengthening early warning systems and disaster preparedness services.
• ■ Empowering communities with the knowledge and tools needed to adapt to changing climate conditions.

By the end of the project, WACA expects to achieve:

• ■ 4,000 households with reduced exposure to flood risks.
• ■ 45,000 households benefiting from better pollution management.
• ■ 4,000 households accessing improved livelihood programs.
• ■ 70 hectares of critical ecosystems protected from degradation.
• ■ 67% of project beneficiaries reporting satisfaction with project interventions.

These results aim to deliver lasting improvements in quality of life, economic opportunities, and resilience for targeted communities.

The project complies with the World Bank’s Environmental and Social Framework (ESF) and The Gambia’s environmental laws. It has integrated:

• ■ Environmental management practices to minimize the impact of construction and protect ecosystems.
• ■ A Grievance Mechanism (GM) with a toll-free number (1144) and email (inquiries@wacameccnar.gm) for affected persons to raise concerns.
• ■ Special procedures for handling sensitive cases, including complaints related to Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (SEA) and Sexual Harassment (SH).
• ■ Gender-sensitive planning and inclusive community consultations to ensure broad stakeholder participation.
• ■ Training of partners, consultants, and contractors on the World Bank’s Environmental and Social Framework (ESF).
• ■ Committing project workers to signing the project’s code of conduct on the World Bank’s ESF and occupational health and safety standards.

The WACA Project recognizes that infrastructure alone cannot build resilience. It supports community-led social interventions, such as:

• ■Livelihood development programs focusing on small businesses, urban farming, and sustainable waste recycling.
• ■Gender-focused initiatives to empower women and youth with skills, resources, and economic opportunities.
• ■Awareness campaigns to improve community preparedness for disasters, promote better waste management, and encourage environmental stewardship.
• ■Special focus on vulnerable groups, ensuring that no one is left behind in the resilience-building efforts.

The project is implemented by the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Natural Resources (MECCNAR) through its Project Implementation Unit (PIU) under the Central Projects Coordination Unit (CPCU). Other key partners include:

• ■ National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA)
• ■ National Environment Agency (NEA)
• ■ Department of Water Resources (DWR)
• ■ National Roads Authority (NRA)
• ■ Ministry of Lands, Regional Government and Religious Affairs
• ■ Kanifing Municipal Council (KMC)
• ■ Brikama Area Council (BAC)
• ■ Civil society groups coordinated through TANGO

You can stay informed and get involved by:

• ■ Following WACA Gambia updates on social media and participating in community consultation events – Facebook: wacagambiaproject / Instagram: @wacagambia_project.
• ■ Reporting concerns or grievances through the toll-free number 1144 or emailing inquiries@wacameccnar.gm.
• ■ Engaging in community-led activities such as environmental clean-ups, livelihood initiatives, and public sensitization campaigns.

For more detailed information, visit the WACA Gambia website at www.wacaproject.gmor reach out directly to the Project Implementation Unit at the MECCNAR Complex in Abuko.