World Bank and Tunisian Government Strengthen Partnership to Boost the Country’s Resilience to Climate Risks and Natural Disasters
The World Bank and the Tunisian government have deepened their collaboration by adding US $50 million to the Integrated Disaster Resilience Programme in Tunisia (ResCat), whose original envelope stands at US $125 million.
What the additional funding will achieve
- Expand urban‑flood protection to three highly exposed regions – Tunis‑West, Gabès and Djerba – building on the experience gained in the pilot cities of Bizerte, Monastir and Nabeul.
- Target densely populated corridors and key economic hubs, thereby reaching more than 660 000 additional people.
- Support local economies by keeping businesses operational, safeguarding jobs, and creating new employment opportunities—particularly for the operation and maintenance of flood‑defence infrastructure.
- Reduce service interruptions and economic losses, improving livelihoods in some of Tunisia’s most vulnerable urban areas.
The new financing also tightens the link between physical investments, modernisation of hydro‑meteorological and early‑warning systems, and catastrophe‑risk financing. This integrated approach ensures that infrastructure, data, and financial protection work together within a cohesive resilience system.
Context
Tunisia continues to face significant flood risks, amplified by climate change. The January 2026 floods delivered the heaviest rainfall in over 70 years, causing widespread disruption across several regions. Strengthening flood protection is therefore critical to mitigate future shocks.
Statements from the World Bank
“The World Bank supports Tunisia’s ongoing progress toward proactive, risk‑aware development,” said Alexandre Arrobbio, World Bank Operations Manager for Tunisia. “By bolstering flood protection in highly exposed areas, as well as early‑warning and financial‑protection systems, this additional financing will safeguard lives and livelihoods and promote more resilient, inclusive development.”
“By combining weather and flood monitoring, early‑warning systems, and resilient infrastructure, the project expands urban‑flood protection to three new regions and supports a more coherent, sustainable national approach to flood‑risk management,” explained Dina Ranarifidy, Senior Urban‑Development Specialist and Project Team Lead at the World Bank.
Track record since 2021
- The initial ResCat project, co‑financed by the World Bank and the French Development Agency (AFD), has already protected nearly 170 000 vulnerable people from flooding in several Tunisian cities.
- It has deployed pilot early‑warning systems and strengthened national institutions responsible for disaster‑risk management, including work on a risk‑financing strategy and the establishment of a permanent institutional structure to coordinate resilience efforts.
Looking ahead
The expanded programme will continue to integrate physical safeguards, data‑driven early warnings, and financial tools, ensuring that Tunisia’s urban centres are better prepared for the increasing frequency and intensity of climate‑related hazards.
Source: Official press release
