Why did the ECCADP project choose Damietta Governorate?
The 60-kilometer Mediterranean coastline of Damietta Governorate faces a significant threat due to climate change. According to multiple scientific studies conducted by international bodies such as the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and local studies by the Egyptian General Authority for Coastal Protection and the Coastal Research Institute, approximately 18% of this coastline is at risk of being submerged by sea level rise. This poses a significant threat and necessitates immediate intervention to protect citizens, infrastructure, and state investments in the governorate.
Protection of citizens and state investments:
In response to studies indicating the area's vulnerability to sea-level rise, a climate change adaptation project was implemented in cooperation with the Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation and the United Nations Development Programme. Funded by the Green Climate Fund and executed by the Egyptian General Authority for Coastal Protection, the project involved coastal protection works stretching from east of New Damietta City to west of the power station, covering a total length of approximately 10.9 km. Environmentally friendly and low-cost techniques were used in the protection works, contributing to the protection of lives, property, and investments in the governorate, estimated at 91 billion Egyptian pounds (New Damietta City, Damietta Power Station, Gas Plant, and Drinking Water Plant).
Private Sector Involvement:
To maximize the utilization of local resources, support the national economy, and create job opportunities for Egyptian workers, the coastal protection works in Dakahlia Governorate were entrusted to an Egyptian contracting company. This decision has contributed to creating new job opportunities and stimulating economic activity in the governorate, in addition to enhancing the capabilities of the Egyptian private sector in implementing large-scale projects.
Improving Citizens Incomes:
The project not only enhanced climate change resilience but also contributed to sustainable community development by creating employment opportunities, especially for women. Over 600 individuals, including 60 women and young women, benefited from the project, improving livelihoods and raising the standard of living in the area. The women’s work focused primarily on installing geotextile components in protective structures.
Description of shore Protection Works:
Protection works: Starting from the eastern end of the New Damietta Corniche to the west of the power plant.
Materials used: Environmentally friendly materials (soil from dredging Damietta Port, dolomite stones, sand, and geotextiles).
The protective structure is an example of sustainable natural solutions, utilizing natural materials such as geotextiles. The structure consists of an earth embankment with sandbags made of geotextiles that stabilize the sand and form natural barriers to protect the beach. This technique is characterized by its flexibility and ability to adapt to long-term environmental changes, as the structure can be reinforced and elevated with additional rows of geotextiles to meet future sea-level rise scenarios."
The 60-kilometer Mediterranean coastline of Damietta Governorate faces a significant threat due to climate change. According to multiple scientific studies conducted by international bodies such as the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and local studies by the Egyptian General Authority for Coastal Protection and the Coastal Research Institute, approximately 18% of this coastline is at risk of being submerged by sea level rise. This poses a significant threat and necessitates immediate intervention to protect citizens, infrastructure, and state investments in the governorate.
In response to studies indicating the area's vulnerability to sea-level rise, a climate change adaptation project was implemented in cooperation with the Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation and the United Nations Development Programme. Funded by the Green Climate Fund and executed by the Egyptian General Authority for Coastal Protection, the project involved coastal protection works stretching from east of New Damietta City to west of the power station, covering a total length of approximately 10.9 km. Environmentally friendly and low-cost techniques were used in the protection works, contributing to the protection of lives, property, and investments in the governorate, estimated at 91 billion Egyptian pounds (New Damietta City, Damietta Power Station, Gas Plant, and Drinking Water Plant).
To maximize the utilization of local resources, support the national economy, and create job opportunities for Egyptian workers, the coastal protection works in Dakahlia Governorate were entrusted to an Egyptian contracting company. This decision has contributed to creating new job opportunities and stimulating economic activity in the governorate, in addition to enhancing the capabilities of the Egyptian private sector in implementing large-scale projects.
The project not only enhanced climate change resilience but also contributed to sustainable community development by creating employment opportunities, especially for women. Over 600 individuals, including 60 women and young women, benefited from the project, improving livelihoods and raising the standard of living in the area. The women’s work focused primarily on installing geotextile components in protective structures.
