The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Government of Timor-Leste have signed a $75 million loan and $3 million grant to fix up a key stretch of national road linking the country’s eastern region to the southern coast, the bank announced. The project will improve road connectivity and trade while bringing communities into the work of building resilience against extreme weather. The grant comes from ADB’s Community Resilience Partnership Program, funded by France’s development agency, Ireland, the Green Climate Fund, the Nordic Development Fund, and the United Kingdom.
The grant will help villages along the road corridor that face flooding and other climate risks to co-design and carry out small-scale adaptation projects tailored to local conditions. It will also build the capacity of communities and national agencies to plan, build, and maintain resilient infrastructure, and support the creation of national standards for combining green and gray infrastructure in transport projects.
“Building community resilience is essential to safeguarding lives and livelihoods in the face of disasters and climate events,” said Stefania Dina, ADB Country Director for Timor-Leste. “This project will empower local communities to take the lead in developing sustainable, adaptive solutions that protect critical infrastructure and support inclusive development.”
The work includes repairing worn-out bridges and tackling flood damage using both engineering fixes and nature-based solutions.
Key upgrades include better drainage systems, raised embankments, asphalt designed to handle natural hazards, and slopes reinforced with plants to cut landslide risks. These improvements are meant to make the road safer, more reliable, and more efficient, ensuring smoother travel and stronger connections across the region.
