The project is aimed at reducing the vulnerability of Lelepa village community and the ecosystems on which they rely to climate change. The village is situated between with the sea in the front and a wetland behind.

The village is expanding inland away from the coastal hazard zone and the work road that runs from the main sealed road inland to village plantations. This road provides the only access to higher grounds during extreme events. This work road is in a very poor state and is impassable during heavy rains due to the absence of a proper drainage system that will allow free flow of water in the wetland areas that flank both sides of the road.

Other concerns faced by the community include weak defenses to coastal hazard risks and accessibility to water particularly since the district water supply network is often disrupted during cyclones and major flooding events.

To achieve the project objectives, the inland work road is to be upgraded including the raising of the road section at the wetland crossing with proper installation of drains and culverts at the wetland crossing to allow free flow of water. Additionally a replanting strategy (only along the low-lying borders of the community?s farm and residential lands) must be implemented with suitable plant species to reduce vulnerabilities to projected future exacerbated flooding. The barrier provided by plants will protect people?s land uses (such as farmlands). Restoration of coast defenses via vegetation planting will also be included as well as implementing a structural protective wall to protect the village local spring (Sogi Well) that the community often relies on when the main water network supply is disrupted.