Suriname

Suriname is on the northeast coast of South America between Venezuela and Brazil. Despite being rich in natural resources – it’s nearly 93% covered by the Amazon rainforest – Suriname is going through a severe financial crisis and faces many significant economic, health, and social challenges.
AFD assists Suriname in two key areas: 1) supporting more sustainable and environmentally friendly economic and social growth and 2) building up regional cooperation, especially in the east of the country, with French Guiana.

Context

Located in South America, on the Guiana Shield, Suriname is bordered to the north by the Atlantic Ocean. Its economy is dominated by extractive industries: gold, oil, wood, and bauxite represent a significant share of Suriname’s economic activity.
Suriname plunged into a serious economic and financial crisis due initially to a significant drop in raw material prices in 2015, and then to a political crisis and a health crisis linked to the Covid-19 pandemic. AFD was forced to suspend its activities in the country during that time.

In 2022, Suriname signed an agreement with the IMF and the Paris Club to restructure its debt, its public debt being in default of payment. Despite the many efforts made, the country’s economic situation remains fragile in 2024. AFD has nonetheless been able to resume its activities in the country.
Suriname can boast extraordinary natural heritage. With 93% forest cover, it’s the most forested country in the world and an exceptional biodiversity reserve.

AFD has had a presence in Suriname since 2000. It supports the government throughout the country and along the coast, and even in remote areas. AFD’s current mandate focuses on regional cooperation and green and inclusive growth, especially in the sectors of health, biodiversity, drinking water, and solid waste management.

Our approach

"AFD AND SURINAME: PROMOTING REGIONAL COOPERATION AND GREEN AND INCLUSIVE GROWTH"

Since the mid-2000s, AFD has been helping to improve healthcare services in Suriname and supporting bilateral cooperation between France and Suriname in the health and hospital sectors.

To address the shortages and obsolescence of health-related infrastructure and equipment, both in inland Suriname and its capital Paramaribo, AFD is financing the modernization of healthcare services.

AFD has also supported the country in the prevention of epidemic diseases, which are particularly prevalent in the border area with French Guiana. The implementation of common strategies between the two countries has improved epidemiological surveillance.

Since 2008, AFD has been supporting the construction and commissioning of a 40-bed hospital in Albina, in eastern Suriname, to improve access to healthcare for rural communities in the Maroni region. This project aims to reduce regional health inequalities by strengthening community care and expanding the regional coverage of hospital facilities. It is also part of a cross-border cooperation initiative with the Western French Guiana hospital (CHOG), which aims to develop a coordinated approach to health-related issues between Suriname and French Guiana.

Water is an abundant resource in Suriname. The country has some of the highest quality water in the world. However, at present, the supply of drinking water depends largely on underground resources, including contained aquifers that are not refillable and which are vulnerable to rising water levels.

Suriname’s water authority provides drinking water to 98% of the population and has a good record of technical and commercial performance. Nevertheless, a response must be prepared to deal with the water supply challenges this authority is facing. In order to meet the growing demand, AFD is helping the water authority to increase its capacities and make the transition to sustainable water resources.To meet growing demand, AFD is helping the water authority to boost its capacities, improve service, and transition to sustainable water resources.

Sanitation is also a key issue. Untreated wastewater is being released into the natural environment and the country is experiencing strong urban growth.

Rainforest covers nearly 93% of the land surface, 91% of which is primary forest. This virgin forest is home to many species and hosts some of the richest biodiversity on the planet. But the forest is threatened by human activities such as gold panning and logging, whose management is not always sustainable. In addition, chemicals such as mercury are used for gold mining, leading to water and soil pollution and endangering indigenous populations.

A large part of the electricity produced in Suriname comes from fossil fuels or is generated by the Brokopondo hydroelectric power plant.
In 2018, the country launched a plan for the electrification of eastern Suriname, a network reinforcement program that will contribute to the economic and social development of the eastern part of the country.
Increasing the reliability and security of the electricity network, improving access to energy services and developing more low-carbon sectors will significantly improve the well-being of the population. AFD is supporting Suriname in the development of feasibility studies in this area.

Ninety-five percent of the waste produced in Suriname, including toxic and hazardous waste, remains untreated. It is dumped in open landfills where the health and environmental framework is weak or non-existent.

The production of waste is growing significantly along with population increase, causing huge health, environmental, and social impact.

To help Suriname better control its waste management, AFD is financing a study to evaluate practices in the capital and in the east of the country. This study will help identify suitable collection and treatment solutions to be co-built with Suriname.