The Maldives has signed a USD 10.5 million grant agreement with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) to reinforce disaster preparedness in the capital city, Malé.
The agreement, signed on Tuesday at a ceremony in Malé, will fund upgrades to the city’s seawalls and provide specialised stormwater drainage equipment to reduce the risks from coastal flooding and heavy rainfall, the Ministry of Finance and Planning confirmed.
Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning Hassan Miras signed the agreement on behalf of the Maldivian government, while JICA Maldives Office’s Resident Representative, Taki Motoo, signed on behalf of the agency. Japan’s Ambassador to the Maldives, Ishigami Rumiko, and senior officials from the Ministries of Finance, Foreign Affairs, and Construction also attended the event.
Speaking at the ceremony, Taki Motoo noted that the project continues Japan’s long-standing support for Maldivian coastal resilience, recalling earlier seawall construction works carried out between 1988 and 2006 that shielded Malé during the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami. He said the new initiative builds on that legacy, combining seawall reinforcement with modern stormwater drainage systems to protect residents and infrastructure.
Deputy Minister Miras described the project as a “critical step” in addressing water-related disasters, stressing that it would safeguard communities and ensure the stability of economic and social life in the capital.
The signing follows an Exchange of Notes concluded on 26 July between the two governments. According to the Ministry of Finance and Planning, the broader goal is to enhance the city’s resilience against the growing threat of climate-related hazards, securing both livelihoods and national development.
