Embassy of India
Paramaribo
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Press Release

Date: 24 March 2025

Closing ceremony of the Indian grant Project “Enhanced Early Warning Services Delivery to Communities of Suriname in Order to Build their Resilience to Flooding due to Excess Rainfall”

This Morning (24.03.2025), the Ministry of Public Works, Suriname organized a ceremony to make presentation on the Indian grant Project “Enhanced Early Warning Services Delivery to Communities of Suriname in Order to Build their Resilience to Flooding due to Excess Rainfall”. The Project implemented by UNDP and funded by the Republic of India under India-UNDP fund at a cost of USD 246,852.71 from a total Indian grant assistance of USD 1 million announced by Hon’ble Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2019 on the UNGA margins for each CARICOM member country. From the balance of the amount, two other projects - repair of a sports complex ($400,000) and the construction of a building for a Center of Excellence for Information Technology ($350,000) in Nickerie have been approved in-principle.

In First phase of implementation two Laptops and eight all-in-one desktop computers installed with ArcGIS software were handed over. In addition following has been carried out as part of second phase; upgradation of the National Hydro-Met Network through the installation of an automatic weather station at Kwamalasamutu and water level station at Pusugrunu to make weather predictions and accurate flood forecasting.

During the Ceremony, extensive presentations were made on the usage of the ArcGIS software for weather forecasting, technology to enhance the metrological information management capabilities by the technical coordinators. With this project, Suriname will be further equipped to make more accurate forecasting in precipitations patterns, temperature changes, changes in sea level and predictability of El Niño or La Niña leading to enhanced disaster preparedness.

Hon’ble Minister for Public Works Dr. Riad Nurmohamed, Ambassador Shri Subhash P. Gupta, UN Representative Ms. Jessica Chandnani, Permanent Secretary from Directorate Research and Public Services Mr. Sergio Kadosoe addressed the gathering. In his remarks, Ambassador Subhash Gupta congratulated the UNDP and the Ministry of Public Works and said that this collaborative effort would equip Suriname to tackle the perennial challenge of floods with greater preparedness and resilience and would help the citizens of Suriname at large.

A few photographs of the events are as enclosed.