$306K Invested to Save Monkey River From Erosion

Work has begun on a government-funded project aimed at slowing coastal erosion in Monkey River Village, a small coastal community in southern Belize that has lost homes and land to rising seas in recent years.

The project, valued at approximately $306,000, officially started last week and is expected to be completed by the end of the month, according to Toledo East Area Representative Dr Osmond Martinez. The initiative targets shoreline areas where erosion has steadily advanced toward residential properties.

“There has never been any climate effort that was implemented to mitigate the erosion problems in Monkey River,” Martinez said, describing the project as long overdue. “This is indeed the first time that a government is giving them some attention,” he added.

Residents, who have long voiced frustration over the lack of intervention, have welcomed the project as a sign of renewed government attention. Martinez said many feared that continued erosion would eventually force families from their homes.

“The people of Monkey River were so discouraged because they were afraid that, at the pace the erosion was coming, they would be left with no home and would become climate change refugees,” he said.

The first phase of the project involves installing bollards to reduce the impact of waves and protect areas where the river meets the sea. A second phase will extend protection to the village burial ground, which is at risk of being washed away. 

Martinez stressed that the work will rely mainly on natural methods rather than cement or piles to limit environmental impact.

He added that while several studies on erosion in Monkey River had been conducted by international firms in the past, they did not result in action. He said the current project has received clearance from the Department of Environment and is moving forward with support from the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Ministry of Local Government.

In addition to shoreline protection, the government plans to establish a wildlife sanctuary in Monkey River to be co-managed by the community and conservation group TIDE.