National Adaptation Programme of Action

Proposal for funding for the preparation of
A National Adaptation Programme of Action (NAPA)
Country Name: 				Comoros
Project Title: 				Enabling activities to facilitate the preparation of a 
National Adaptation Programme of Action (NAPAs) 
for Comoros
GEF Implementing Agency: 		UNITED NATIONS ENVIRONMENT PROGRAMME
GEF operational focal point: 	Mohamed Youssouf Oumouri, Ministry of State, Ministry for the External Relations, Co-operation, Francophonie and the Environment
Climate change focal point: 	Youssouf Hamadi Director General of Environment, Directorate of Environment
National Lead Agency: 	Directorate of Environment, Ministry of Social Affairs, Telecommunications and the Environment
Country eligibility:
(i) LDC country:				UN List
(ii) Date of UNFCCC ratification:		31st October 1994
GEF financing:				US$200,000
Government contribution: 		In kind
Estimated total budget: 			US$200,000
Estimated starting date: 			April 2003
Duration: 					18 months
Comoros: Key Socio-Economic Indicators
Population (millions)
Population growth rate (%)
Land area (km2)
GNP per capita
GDP (million US$)
GDP growth rate (%)
Access to water (%)
Access to sanitation
Forest cover (%)
	
0.67
2.7
2,170
380
220
1.0
27
98
4
 Source: World Bank, 2002
Background
Physical environment and geography
Comoros is an island-country situated in southern Africa, and comprises 4 main islands in the Mozambique Channel.  The island names are Grand Comore, Moheli, Anjouan and Mayotte.  Grand Comore is the largest island, and the most recently formed from volcanic activity.  Two volcanoes form the island’s most prominent topographic features: Le Grille in the north, with an elevation of 1,000 metres is extinct and largely eroded; Kartala in the south, rising to a height of 2,361 meters last erupted in 1997.  One of the largest remnants of Comoros’ extensive rain forests is on the slopes of Kartala.  A plateau averaging 600 to 700 meters high connects the two mountains.  Because Grand Comore is geologically a relatively new island, its soil is thin and rocky and cannot hold water.   As a result, water from the island’s heavy rainfall must be stored in catchment tanks.  There are no coral reefs along the coast of Grand Comore, and the island lacks a good harbour for ships. 
Anjouan emanates from a central peak (Ntingui – 1,575meters), giving the island a distinctive triangular shape.  This island has deeper soil cover, but over cultivation has caused serious erosion.  A coral reef lies close to the shore.
Moheli is the smallest of the islands, and has a central mountain chain reaching 860 meters at its highest.  
The islands have a total land area of 2,170km2, of which 35% is arable land, 10% is under permanent crops, 7% under permanent pastures, 18% under forests or woodlands, and the balance under other uses.  Forest cover in Comoros has been dwindling fast, from 31,000ha in the 1950s, to 8,000ha in the 1990s.  The annual deforestation rate is currently 3.1%.  Comoros has tropical marine climate, and the terrain consists of volcanic islands, steep mountains and low hills.  
Comoros has a population of 670,000 people, with an annual population growth rate of 2.6%.  About 70% of the population reside in rural areas.
Income and Economy
Comoros has a GNP per capita of US$ 380.  About 60% of Comorians survive on less than 1US$/day.  Per capita incomes continue to decline as the cost of living increases.  The implementation of a World Bank sponsored poverty reduction programme is on process. Interim report is available for political approval and a national seminar will be organised for discussion with stakeholders. A complementary survey on poverty is ongoing for the final version. This further increases the vulnerability of the poor, who are more vulnerable to climate change since they do not have sufficient incomes to prepare and protect themselves from the adverse effects of climate change.
Agriculture, which comprises fishing, livestock and forestry, contributes about 40% of the GDP and employs about 80% of the labour force.  It also provides the key exports from the country, which include vanilla, cloves and perfume oils.  These commodities have in the recent past been prone to price fluctuations.  Other sectors that contribute to GDP are: industry (4%) and services, which includes tourism (56%). Agriculture constitutes the most significant sector of the national economy. The sector is characterised by a reduction of the output related to considerable reduction in the rains, and shift of seasons causing a disturbance of the agricultural calendar, increase in temperature and development of pests such as the disease which currently is destroying the coconut. Certain species such as the cashew tree do not bear fruit any more and tubers get burned in the ground before maturation. Deforestation is rapid to cater for heating requirements, but also resulting in surface water run-off. This affects the water supply that is further threatened by rise in sea level already that leads to salinisation of the coastal aquifers.
Comoros: Principle Exports in 2000