Gambia's experience on formulating and implementing adaptation strategies

1. GAMBIA’S EXPERIENCE ON
FORMULATING AND IMPLEMENTING
ADAPTATION STRATEGIES
Isatou Camara
Development Planner at the Ministry of Finance and
Economic Affairs
NAP EXPO 2015
14 to 15 April Bonn, Germany

2. Geography, Climate and Demography
The Gambia is the smallest
country on Mainland Africa.
Its located on the West
Coast of Africa.
Senegal surrounds it on
three sides.
The Gambia has a Sahelian climate with a short rainy season
and a long dry season.
Estimated population of The Gambia is 1.8 Million (2013
Census)

3. Background (1/3)
The risk of climate change induced damage to human and
economic development in coastal areas of The Gambia is
mounting
The combined effects of (sea level rise and changes in
upstream river discharge and natural sediment dynamics, and
erosion of coastal embankments) pose a serious threat to the
natural resource base and livelihood opportunities of coastal
communities

4. Background (2/3)

5. Background (3/3)
NAPA identified coastal erosion issues as the primary focal
area to focus on
Following further deterioration of the coastline and the
increased threat to coastal zone communities their livelihood
and investments
The need for coastal adaptation is widely recognised as a
priority
• The Government secured a loan of US$ 20 Million from ADB

6. Kololi Beach Area in 2002 before Nourishment

7. 100metre-wide nourished Kololi Beach Area in 2003

8. Kololi Beach Area in 2010 – 7 years after
nourishment

9. POLICY FRAMEWORK
The Gambia’s commitment to tackling the effects of
climate change is reflected in its First, Second and Third
National Communication (UNFCCC)
The National Adaptation Programme of Action (NAPA)
(2007)
The Programme for Accelerated and Employment (PAGE
2012-2015)

10. MEDIUM TERM STRATEGY
The PAGE is the Gambia’s climate change integrated
medium term strategy as a cross-cutting theme
A Climate Change Priority Action Plan (CCPAP) has been
developed
US$47 Million is required for it‘s implementation

11. FORMULATION PROCESS (1/2)
Consultations are held with different stakeholders
Two broad categories are identified:
(I ) State actors- Government ministries and agencies; and
(ii) Non state actors which include local communities, civil
society organizations (NGOs and CBOs) and the private
sector.

12. FORMULATION PROCESS (2/2)
National consultant recruited to train technician on
integrated CC into national development plan
A task team comprising of relevant stakeholders
constituted
In addition discussions are also held with socio-economic
groups

13. QUANTIFYING COST
Certain studies were conducted:
1. Assessment of institutional and human capacity
1. Needs assessment of early warning infrastructure and
technology

14. CHALLENGES
A critical issue for The Gambia is the absence of a land-use
plan and control system to ensure the protection of the
coastal area of the Gambia in a sustainable manner
Fragmented coastal zone Legislation
The lack of reliable information and uncoordinated policy
interventions
Inadequate capacity to quantify adaptation cost

15. LESSON LEARNED
Coordination is hindered by the absence of an overarching
framework on climate change
overlapping institutional mandates
The need to enhance technical and managerial capacities of
implementing agencies, beneficiaries and extension workers
 Participatory planning and multi-stakeholder processes as
means to help build/strengthen adaptive capacity.

16. THANK YOU YOUR ATTENTION