Overview

UN-Habitat has an active role in the Union of Comoros since 2012, regarding projects related to urban resilience, urban planning, policy and post-disaster recovery. The Union of Comoros is composed by small islands and is located in an area prone to natural hazards, making urban settlements even more vulnerable in this country.

UN-Habitat works in close relationship with the government of Comores, through MATUAFTT (Ministère de l’Aménagement du Territoire, de l’Urbanisme, chargé des affaires Foncières et des Transports et des Terres de l’Union), as per the Memorandum of Understanding signed in 2020. UN-Habitat has since 2017 developed a strong partnership with 2 local authorities, through the implementation of the Plan d’Aménagement du Grand Moroni and the City RAP programme for resilient urban planning.

UN-Habitat works directly with the DGSC (Direction Générale de la Sécurité Civile), for matters related to disaster risk management and climate change adaptation. This relation is mainstreamed in the scope of the DiMSUR (Disaster Risk Management, Sustainability and Urban Resilience).

Overview

The Union of Comoros is included on the SIDS (Small Islands Developing States) and presents a unique biodiversity. The main island of Grand Comore is built on an active volcano, with most cities located on the coast, trapped between the volcano and sea.

Currently 70% of the population is living in informal settlements vulnerable to hazards, such as cyclones, earthquakes, landslide, flooding and sea level rise, phenomenon that is potentialized by the lack of urban planning and endorsement of DRM rules and regulations at national and city level.

City Resilience Frameworks for Action: The main cities of the Union of Comoros (Moroni and Fomboni) received the participatory planning approach to build City Resilient Action Plans. This process is inclusive and integrates several stakeholders from the municipal level (local communities, municipal focal points, non-governmental organizations.

The UN-Habitat assisted in the building of Urban Climate Resilience in south-Eastern Africa Adaptation Fund (Adaptation Fund), implementation of CityRAP in Moroni (2018) and Fomboni (2019), the development of a Climate Change Mitigation Action Plan (2019) and the Moroni Climate Change Adaptation Plan (2019).

In 2020, activities related to the implementation of the Adaptation Fund will take place in Comoros, more specifically in Moroni, regarding improved drainage, water supply, support for waste management and early alert system for flooding. Components for the national level in terms of tools and guideline for disaster risk management will also be developed.

UN-Habitat is also developing a World Bank proposal for the post-cyclone Kenneth reconstruction, in partnership with the Government. The project aims to support the Ministry of Spatial Planning, Town Planning and Housing to implement the activities defined in the framework of post-Kenneth reconstruction and the resilience project, mainly in terms of institutional strengthening, planning and construction standard, as well as the

Urban numbers

Urban Population (2018): 29.0%

Urban Growth Rate (2015-2020): 2.87%

The urban population annual growth rate is

Donors

Adaptation Fund Board
Partners

Partners

  • Total value of UN-Habitat investments (2008-2013): US$ 202,500
  • Total number of UN-Habitat projects (2008-2013): 1 project
  • Main donors: IBRD/World Bank
  • Implementing partners: National Institutes or Offices for Disaster Risk Management of Madagascar, Malawi, Mozambique and Union of Comoros; UNISDR; European Union; ECHO; GFDRR; World Bank; FAO; OCHA; Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) DRR Unit; various academic institutions and NGOs operating in southern Africa

General information

Capital: Moroni

Major cities: Grande Comore, Moutsamoudou, Fomboni, Domoni, Sima, Ouani, Mirontsi, Mkiriwadjumoi, Koni-Djodjo, Moya

  • Population: 717,500
  • GDP: US$595.9 Million
  • GDP growth: 3.0%
  • Urban population (annual %): 28%
  • Population growth rate (average annual %): 2.4%
  • Urban population growth rate (average annual %): 2.8%
  • Rural population growth rate (average annual %): 2.3%

Source: World Bank 2012

UN-Habitat projects in Comoros

Support the Establishment of a Technical Centre for Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation for Southern Africa (DIMSUR)    

The main project objective is to support the establishment of the DIMSUR with the mandate of providing DRR and CCA assistance and knowledge to address the needs of national programmes, and therefore reduce the vulnerability and build the resilience of communities to natural hazards.    

  • Duration: July 2013 - June 2015    
  • Value: US$ 202,500
  • Donor: IBRD/World Bank   
  • Implementing partners: national institutes or offices for disaster risk management of Madagascar, Malawi, Mozambique and Union of Comoros; UNISDR; European Union; ECHO; GFDRR; World Bank; FAO; OCHA; Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) DRR Unit; various academic institutions and NGOs operating in southern Africa    
  • Location: regional project in Comoros, Madagascar, Malawi, Mozambique