Panama City, Panama – Phase two (2) of the Caribbean Small Island Developing States (SIDS) Multicountry Soil Management Initiative for Integrated Landscape Restoration and Climate-resilient Food Systems (SOILCARE Project), has been highlighted for its potential impact on drought resilience in CSIDS, particularly in Grenada.
Joseph Noel, Grenada’s United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification Focal Point, presented the GEF funded project, implemented by the Partnership Initiative for Sustainable Land Management (PISLM), with implementing support from the Food and Agriculture Organisation, during a side event on December 1, 2025, focused on “Bridging the Implementation Gap on Policy Alignment for Effective Drought Management” organised by the Food and Agriculture Organisation.
Given Grenada’s experience with changes in both the rainy and dry seasons and giving consideration to the 2024 drought, due to the unprecedented reduced rainfall, resulting in a drop in reservoir water levels and the declaration of an official crisis by the country’s Government, Noel is hopeful that the project can make an impact on the ground to help strengthen the National Drought Policy.
“During Phase II, we are looking to implement a drought plan. We are hopeful that this undertaking will align with all our other policies in place to make it operational,” he said.
The first phase of the project also resulted in a significant reduction in degradation in one of the country’s forest reserves- Les Avocats- as 10 acres of land were restored, and farmers downstream were able to have improved access to water.
The Grenadian National Focal Point also highlighted in his presentation, the passing of Grenada’s Water Resources Management Bill as a significant milestone towards achieving drought resilience. The new legislation establishes a National Water Resources Management Unit with responsibility for coordinated water governance, including the development of a water resources master plan—and an institutional structure that directly supports the integrated drought management principles championed through SOILCARE.
Noel is among representatives from Caribbean SIDS from Antigua and Barbuda, The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Haiti, Grenada, Guyana, St. Kitts and Nevis and St. Lucia, that are participating in the 23rd session of the Committee for the Review of the Implementation of the Convention (CRIC 23), held under the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) in Panama City from December 1-5, 2025.
