MALDIVES GLOBAL CLIMATE CHANGE (GCC) QUARTERLY PERFORMANCE REPORT (OCTOBER – DECEMBER 2015)

The project aims to increase the resiliency of island communities to the impacts of global climate change by providing assistance to the Government of Maldives (GoM), primarily through the Ministry of Environment and Energy (MEE). Additional stakeholders include residents and the island council of Lh. Hinnavaru, targeted to become a "climate resilient island" with USAID assistance; FENAKA, the national utility company; and local utility operators/managers. The project provides technical assistance to FENAKA and MEE, focusing on the development of an Environmental Mitigation and Monitoring Plan (EMMP) and the implementation of a Performance Evaluation and Monitoring System (PEMS). The project also supports the development of a new set of awareness material and the dissemination and presentation of awareness material to key entities and the Hinnavaru community. Task 1: Assessment, Design, and Mobilization was completed during this reporting period, with the environmental consultant hired to assist with the development of the EMMP and the development of an emergency plan for the Reverse Osmosis (RO) plant and the regional laboratory submitting the final report, the EMMP documents, the emergency plan, and the tools for the implementation of these plans. The project also submitted the Work Plan for Year 5, which includes the period from October 1, 2015 to May 31, 2016. Task 2: Institutional Strengthening involved the Maldives National University submitting the course structure for the certificates in Drinking Water System Operations and Maintenance and in Water Quality Laboratory Procedures to the university Senate for approval. CH2MHILL completed 90% of the teaching material for the operator's certificate course, while the material for the laboratory procedures certificate course is under development. The implementation of the PEMS started in mid-July, with two members of the consultant team working with MEE, EPA, MEA, and the utility companies in Maldives to identify the set of indicators and gather the information to complete the design of the other elements of this system. Task 3: Enhancing Community Knowledge, Skills, and Attitudes involved Chemonics presenting and distributing the awareness campaign material in Hinnavaru among school parents, community members, and representatives of entities and organizations on the island. Challenges faced during this reporting period included the holiday calendar, which resulted in government offices being closed for almost two weeks and the project staff going on leave, making it more challenging to schedule official meetings and assign work. The project has made significant progress in delivering short-term technical assistance to FENAKA Corporation and the Ministry of Environment and Energy, as well as designing a new set of awareness material. The project has also completed the dissemination and presentation of awareness material to key entities and the Hinnavaru community. The project's next steps will focus on implementing the PEMS and continuing to provide technical assistance to FENAKA and MEE.