IDB approves $10 million loan to reduce flooding in Belize City

Oct 25, 2011

The money is intended for a project to rehabilitate and improve drainage and urban road networks.

The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) approved a $10 million loan to rehabilitate and improve drainage and road infrastructure in Belize City. Additional funding is to be provided by the Government of Belize.
 
The five-year program will help rehabilitate and maintain 3,300 meters of canals, increasing their drainage capacity and reducing the frequency and duration of floods. Interventions will also include construction of side drains and resurfacing of streets affected by recent flooding, covering a total of 22,700 square meters of road surface.
 
Implementing an integrated approach toward improving living conditions in Belize City, the project will also recover urban spaces, including green areas, sidewalks and cycle-paths. These interventions will increase porous areas, reducing runoff and enhance living conditions and improve citizens’ perception of the City.
 
A Maintenance Management System will be designed and implemented to enable the Belize City Council to effectively coordinate future upkeep of municipal infrastructure. Maintenance activities of the civil works financed by the program will be partially covered by the loan. The project is part of the IDB’s ongoing efforts to rehabilitate basic infrastructure damaged by recent floods in Belize. It will be accompanied by training activities and awareness-raising campaigns to reduce littering and related maintenance needs.
 
Complementary studies on natural disaster risk assessment and the impacts of dredging in the mouth of Belize River will provide a better understanding of factors contributing to flooding in Belize City.
 
The total cost of the program will be $10.75 million, including $750,000 in counterpart funds provided by the Government of Belize. The IDB loan has an amortization period of 25 years, with a 5-year grace period, at a LIBOR-based interest rate.

Contact

Inter-American Development Bank

Ángela Fúnez

United States

E-Mail:

angelaf@iadb.org

Internet:

To website

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