The World Bank First Additional Financing to the Regional Disease Surveillance Systems Enhancement Project in West Africa, Phase III (REDISSE III) (P176646) Combined Project Information Documents / Integrated Safeguards Datasheet (PID/ISDS) Appraisal Stage | Date Prepared/Updated: 13-Dec-2021 | Report No: PIDISDSA31892 Nov 03, 2021 Page 1 of 12 The World Bank First Additional Financing to the Regional Disease Surveillance Systems Enhancement Project in West Africa, Phase III (REDISSE III) (P176646) BASIC INFORMATION OPS_TABLE_BASIC_DATA A. Basic Project Data Country Project ID Project Name Parent Project ID (if any) Western Africa P176646 First Additional Financing P161163 to the Regional Disease Surveillance Systems Enhancement Project in West Africa, Phase III (REDISSE III) Parent Project Name Region Estimated Appraisal Date Estimated Board Date Regional Disease Surveillance AFRICA WEST 16-Dec-2021 24-Feb-2022 Systems Enhancement (REDISSE) Phase III Practice Area (Lead) Financing Instrument Borrower(s) Implementing Agency Health, Nutrition & Population Investment Project Republic of Benin, Mauritania - Ministry of Financing Republic of Mali, Republic Livestock, Benin - CNLS-TP, of Mauritania, Republic of Présidence de la Niger République du Bénin, Mali - Ministry of Health, Niger - Ministry of Health Proposed Development Objective(s) Parent The PDOs are : (i) to strengthen national and regional cross-sectoral capacity for collaborative disease surveillance and epidemic preparedness in West Africa; and (ii) in the event of an Eligible Emergency, to provide immediate and effective response to said Eligible Emergency. Components Component 1: Surveillance and Information Systems Component 2: Strengthening of Laboratory Capacity Component 3: Preparedness and Emergency Response Component 4: Human Resource Management for Effective Disease Surveillance and Epidemic Preparedness Component 5: Institutional Capacity Building, Project Management, Coordination and Advocacy PROJECT FINANCING DATA (US$, Millions) SUMMARY -NewFin1 Total Project Cost 21.00 Nov 03, 2021 Page 2 of 12 The World Bank First Additional Financing to the Regional Disease Surveillance Systems Enhancement Project in West Africa, Phase III (REDISSE III) (P176646) Total Financing 21.00 of which IBRD/IDA 21.00 Financing Gap 0.00 DETAILS -NewFinEnh1 World Bank Group Financing International Development Association (IDA) 21.00 IDA Credit 10.50 IDA Grant 10.50 Environmental Assessment Category B-Partial Assessment Decision The review did authorize the team to appraise and negotiate B. Introduction and Context 1. The Regional Disease Surveillance Systems Enhancement Program (REDISSE) Program is an interdependent Series of Projects (iSOP) to strengthen national, regional, and cross-sectoral capacity for integrated disease surveillance and response in West and Central Africa. The REDISSE Program was developed jointly by the Health and the Agriculture Global Practices with One health (OH) approach to ensure that the human-animal-environment interface is addressed in strengthening of West and Central Africa’s disease surveillance systems. The REDISSE Program has two objectives: 1) to address systemic weaknesses within the animal and human health systems that hinder effective cross sectoral and cross border collaboration for disease surveillance and response and; 2) in the event of an eligible emergency, to provide immediate and effective response to said eligible emergency. Overall, the ongoing REDISSE Program supports 16 countries in West and Central Africa, including Guinea, Senegal, Sierra Leone (REDISSE Phase 1, P154807); Togo, Guinea- Bissau, Liberia, Nigeria (REDISSE Phase 2, P159040); Benin, Niger, Mauritania, Mali (REDISSE Phase 3, P161163); and Angola, Central African Republic, Chad, Congo, and DRC (REDISSE Phase 4, P167817). 2. REDISSE Phase 3 (REDISSE 3) was approved by the Executive Directors on May 7, 2018 for an amount of US$120 million equivalent to support the regional disease surveillance and response systems in West Africa. This amount includes an IDA credit of US$50 million equivalent and an IDA grant of US$70 million equivalent. REDISSE 3 became effective on September 6, 2018 and the closing date of the project is March 31, 2024. REDISSE 3 provides financing1 to the countries of Benin, Mali, Mauritania, and Niger. 1The funding for REDISSE 3 is allocated as follows: US$30 million equivalent for Benin; US$30 million equivalent for Mali; US$20 million equivalent for Mauritania; and US$40 million equivalent for Niger. Nov 03, 2021 Page 3 of 12 The World Bank First Additional Financing to the Regional Disease Surveillance Systems Enhancement Project in West Africa, Phase III (REDISSE III) (P176646) 3. In early February 2020 it was agreed that COVID-19 preparedness and response activities could be integrated into the Annual Work Plan and Budgets (AWPBs) and procurement plans and financed by the project; or, the clients could choose to activate the Contingency Emergency Response Component (CERC) of the project to reallocate resources to the COVID-19 response. Consequently, REDISSE provided the first response in Africa to country requests for financing to prepare for the COVID-19 pandemic. Support was expedited with in-place financing and rapid disbursement. As part of the regional COVID-19 response the REDISSE Program has financed surveillance and contact tracing; screening at points of entry (POE); laboratory testing and diagnosis; IPC; case management, including essential medical equipment and materials; and risk communication. The use of REDISSE Program funds for the COVID-19 response is clearly helping to fulfill the PDO requirement that “in the event of an eligible crisis or emergency to provide immedia te and effective response to said crisis or emergency�. However, given the magnitude of the response required to address the COVID - 19 pandemic, the REDISSE 3 project may not be able to deliver on its primary objective to “strengthen national and regional capacity for disease surveillance and epidemic preparedness, by addressing the weaknesses in the human and animal health systems that hinder effective disease surveillance and response�. 4. The reallocated funding to COVID-19 response has hampered implementation of project activities both nationally and regionally. The COVID-19 pandemic has affected project implementation as countries reallocated funds from the 2020 AWPBs to the COVID-19 response. All countries in REDISSE 3 quickly accessed project funds to mount a response to the pandemic, US$46.19 million has been allocated to COVID-19 preparedness and response: US$23.39 million for Benin; US$9.7 million for Mali; US$7.5 million for Mauritania and US$5.60 million for Niger. C. Proposed Development Objective(s) Original PDO 5. The PDOs are : (i) to strengthen national and regional cross-sectoral capacity for collaborative disease surveillance and epidemic preparedness in West Africa; and (ii) in the event of an Eligible Emergency, to provide immediate and effective response to said Eligible Emergency. Current PDO 6. No change Key Results 7. Few of the REDISSE countries in West Africa will be able to resume the activities that have been placed on hold during the current crisis and continue to finance essential capacity building activities for the full project period. In REDISSE 3, particularly in Benin, the situation is particularly urgent as the country has already allocated a significant portion of uncommitted funding to the COVID-19 response. The staff of the project unit is in place and they have been fully mobilized to implement the COVID-19 response plan. All activities agreed upon under REDISSE 3 for COVID-19 have been completed in a satisfactory manner. The country disbursement rate has increased to 92.2% as of October 25, 2021 and all remaining funds have been committed for payment to suppliers. There is a clear and urgent need for AF for the REDISSE 3 to Benin. Benin needs an additional funding to replenish the project’s funds and achieve REDISSE’s development objective in the remaining time of the project. 8. The proposed AF of US$21 million for Benin will allow the country to continue the implementation of REDISSE planned activities and replenish funds used for COVID-19 to achieve the Project Development Objective. Nov 03, 2021 Page 4 of 12 The World Bank First Additional Financing to the Regional Disease Surveillance Systems Enhancement Project in West Africa, Phase III (REDISSE III) (P176646) 9. As of October 25, 2021, Benin has spent a total of US$26.75 million out of the total committed amount of US$30 million under the IDA financing. The proposed AF for Benin, in the amount of US$21 million, will be from the IDA National PBA (US$7 million) and IDA Regional Integration (US$14 million) and will cover the completion of the planned activities under components 3 (sub-Component 3.1 Enhance cross-sectoral coordination and collaboration for preparedness and response; and sub-Component 3.2 Strengthen capacity for emergency response) and components 4 (sub-component 4.1 healthcare workforce mapping, planning and recruitment; and sub-Component4.2 Enhance health workforce training, motivation and retention). D. Project Description 10. The AF is consistent with IPF, which provides for AF in the context of ongoing, well-performing projects when there is a financing gap or cost overrun, for scaling up the project effectiveness, and/or in cases of Project restructuring, when the original funding is insufficient for the modified or additional project activities. The original funding under REDISSE 3 is insufficient for completion of REDISSE project activities through March 31, 2024, due to the financing gap resulting from reallocation of funds to the COVID-19 response. The AF will replenish the funds used for COVID-19 and to support completion of planned activities under components 3 and 4 of the project. Under these components, the following sub-component will be supported: sub-component 3.1 (Enhance cross-sectoral coordination and collaboration for preparedness and response) in an amount of US$ 5.5 million; sub-component 3.2 (Strengthen capacity for emergency response ) in an amount of US$ 14.5 million; sub-component 4.1 (healthcare workforce mapping, planning and recruitment), in an amount of US$ 0.8 million and sub-component 4.2(Enhance health workforce training, motivation and retention) in the amount of US$ 0.2 million. It is expected to enhance the project’s development effectiveness. E. Implementation 11. REDISSE 3 has been under implementation since October 2018, during which it has strengthened disease surveillance and response systems in Benin, Mali, Mauritania, and Niger (participating countries) and strengthened regional level collaboration (information exchange), coordinating (regional policies and technical strategies) and resource sharing (training institutions and reference laboratories) among ECOWAS member states and Mauritania. There is clear evidence of progress at both regional and country level. 12. REDISSE 3 has a Moderately Satisfactory (MS) performance rating for both the overall Project Development Objective (PDO) and the Implementation Progress (IP) based on the latest ISR dated August 4, 2021. 13. As of October 20, 2021, the overall disbursement of REDISSE 3 has increased to 61 percent. 92 percent of the IDA funding for Benin (Credit N. 6234 – Grant N D3120) have been disbursed, which are higher than originally projected and accelerating due to the requirements of the COVID-19 response. An additional US$21 million for Benin is needed to support the project activities until the end of the REDISSE Phase 3 project, on March 31, 2024, bringing the total for REDISSE 3 project activities to US$141 million. Progress in implementing technical components 2 and 42 is downgraded from satisfactory to moderately satisfactory but progress in implementing component 5 (institutional capacity building, project management, coordination, and advocacy) remains moderately satisfactory. 2C1-Surveillance and Information Systems; C2-Strengthening laboratory capacity; C3-Preparedness and emergency response; and C4-Human resource management for effective disease surveillance and response Nov 03, 2021 Page 5 of 12 The World Bank First Additional Financing to the Regional Disease Surveillance Systems Enhancement Project in West Africa, Phase III (REDISSE III) (P176646) 14. The Financial Management is rated satisfactory at the last archived Portfolio and Risk Management (PRIMA) on March 16, 2021. There are no outstanding IFRs and all internal and external audits have been conducted and no major issues have been reported. 15. Procurement is currently rated Moderately Satisfactory based on the findings of the Procurement Revision recorded at the Procurement Risk Assessment Management System (P-RAMS) on June 24, 2021. 16. Environmental and Social Safeguards are rated satisfactory. All participating countries (Benin, Mali, Mauritania, and Niger) have complied with the disclosure of the approved Environmental Assessment, the Medical Waste Management Plan (OP/BP 4.01) and the Pest Management Plan (OP 4.09). The PIU is adequately staffed with experienced safeguards specialists (environmental, social development, communication specialists and a GBV/SEA/SH consultant). As per the commitment under the ESCP, regular environmental and social reports have been produced and transmitted to the Bank. The implementation of environmental and social instruments was carried out satisfactorily by the project management unit. Stakeholder engagement actions and the complaints management have improved substantially since the start of project implementation. The GRM is operational and has received complaints through complaint registration books available in all the 12 regions and via the online platform set up for this purpose. All the complaints received have been addressed in a timely manner. The proposed additional financing (AF) is for continuation of regional activities and does not trigger any new safeguard policies or raise the environmental category of the project. 17. Legal covenants. All legal covenants under IDA 62340; IDA 62350; IDA D3140 and IDA 62360 have been complied with. . F. Project location and Salient physical characteristics relevant to the safeguard analysis (if known) This project is the third part/financing of the regional REDISSE Program, which, as mentioned in Section B1 above, is an interdependent series of projects. This third project in the series (REDISSE III) is extending the program to four (04) others western African countries, namely Benin, Mali, Mauritania and Niger. Activities with a physical footprint include upgrading of laboratory networking facilities, strengthening capacities to prepare for impending epidemics in humans and animals and to respond effectively to disease outbreak threats, surveillance, AMR and insecticides resistance monitoring and mapping. While some of these project activities have low to moderate environmental and social risks, the project will also strengthen the capacity of the above mentioned client governments to successfully manage environmental and social risks and impacts in the event of an infectious disease outbreak occurs among human and/or animal populations. The physical locations and specific details of the proposed project interventions in the proposed four (04) countries are not known yet and will not be known by project appraisal. G. Environmental and Social Safeguards Specialists on the Team Bolong Landing Sonko, Social Specialist Abdelaziz Lagnaoui, Environmental Specialist Nov 03, 2021 Page 6 of 12 The World Bank First Additional Financing to the Regional Disease Surveillance Systems Enhancement Project in West Africa, Phase III (REDISSE III) (P176646) Taoufiq Bennouna, Environmental Specialist Paivi Koskinen-Lewis, Social Specialist Ibrah Hachimou, Environmental Specialist Gina Cosentino, Social Specialist Mahamadou Ahmadou Maiga, Social Specialist Cheikh Hamallah Diagana, Social Specialist Mamadou Samba Sow, Environmental Specialist Modestine Victoire Bessan, Environmental Specialist SAFEGUARD POLICIES THAT MIGHT APPLY SAFEGUARD _TBL Safeguard Policies Triggered? Explanation (Optional) Environmental Assessment OP/BP 4.01 Yes Performance Standards for Private Sector No Activities OP/BP 4.03 Natural Habitats OP/BP 4.04 No Forests OP/BP 4.36 No Pest Management OP 4.09 Yes Physical Cultural Resources OP/BP 4.11 No Indigenous Peoples OP/BP 4.10 No Involuntary Resettlement OP/BP 4.12 No Safety of Dams OP/BP 4.37 No Projects on International Waterways No OP/BP 7.50 Projects in Disputed Areas OP/BP 7.60 No KEY SAFEGUARD POLICY ISSUES AND THEIR MANAGEMENT OPS_SAFEGUARD_SUMMARY_TBL A. Summary of Key Safeguard Issues 1. Describe any safeguard issues and impacts associated with the proposed project. Identify and describe any potential large scale, significant and/or irreversible impacts: The project activities are not anticipating any potential large scale, significant impacts as most of the activities will focus on rehabilitation in the targeted locations that will be defined. The management of hazardous waste remains the key safeguard issue that will need particular attention. Specific EHS measures will also be taken to avoid any lethal Nov 03, 2021 Page 7 of 12 The World Bank First Additional Financing to the Regional Disease Surveillance Systems Enhancement Project in West Africa, Phase III (REDISSE III) (P176646) incident during the rehabilitation activities. Land acquisition is expected. 2. Describe any potential indirect and/or long term impacts due to anticipated future activities in the project area: The project is not anticipating long term impacts due to anticipated future activities in the project area, nevertheless, the team will ensure regular environmental and social supervision and relevant mitigation measures will be taken in the case of such unexpected or indirect impact. In addition, gender considerations will be an integral aspect of the project activities as a substantial portion of the health workforce front lines are nurses, health assistants, and community workers, the majority of whom are women. The risks of contagion for these workers are significant. Further, with respect to potential threats of infectious diseases, these present different risks for the girls, women of child bearing age, pregnant women, and mothers. 3. Describe any project alternatives (if relevant) considered to help avoid or minimize adverse impacts. Not relevant. 4. Describe measures taken by the borrower to address safeguard policy issues. Provide an assessment of borrower capacity to plan and implement the measures described. As the detailed activities and locations were unknown during the project preparation, the four countries ( Benin, Mali, Mauritania and Niger) prepared each, an Environmental and Social Management Framework (ESMF); an Hazardous Waste Management Plan (HWMP) and, an Integrated Vector and Pesticide Management Plan (IVPMP). The documents were prepared using participatory approach. The instruments were disclosed in country and at the Bank website. These instruments will guide the project environmental and social safeguards compliance during the implementation. Institutional arrangement for safeguards implementation: At the regional level WAHO has existing environmental and social staff that will support the adherence to safeguards requirements across the participating counties. They will coordinate and liaise with the full time participating countries environmental safeguards specialists and social development specialists that will be recruited in each country. relevant environmental and social safeguards training will be provided at the regional and the national level. The project will provide an opportunity of information and experience exchange. Integration of environmental and social measures in the Project Implementing Manual ( PIM). It was agreed that specific guidelines related to environmental and social safeguards compliance will be fully incorporated in the PIM. Citizen engagement will be supported by communication activities to inform and sensitize stakeholders on issues of the REDISSE project.This consultation should be deepened with all stakeholders, including at the national, local, and community levels (e.g., medical institutions, professional associations, civil society, NGOs, youth and women's groups). Citizen engagement will be used to mainstream particularly into feedback of the population on the REDISSE project.The indicator on Citizen engagement is “Citizens and/or communities involved in planning/implementation/evaluation of development program. Citizen engagement is further enhanced through the formal representation of civil society in the Project Steering Committees at national and regional levels. Steering committees are charged with the review and approval of the annual work plan and budget and the annual progress reports pertaining to the project. 5. Identify the key stakeholders and describe the mechanisms for consultation and disclosure on safeguard policies, with an emphasis on potentially affected people. Nov 03, 2021 Page 8 of 12 The World Bank First Additional Financing to the Regional Disease Surveillance Systems Enhancement Project in West Africa, Phase III (REDISSE III) (P176646) During the safeguards preparation process, the key stakeholders were identified and were grouped in four main categories in participating countries. The key are the following: Public administrations: These include among other the ministries in charge of Public Health; Livestock; Environment; NGOs: these include local and international NGOs involved in Health sector; Local authorities: These include mayors and decentralized traditional authorities; Local communities: these include mainly the community-based organizations. In each participating country, a consultant plan will be prepared and implemented. The periodic report of the project implementation will include a section on stakeholders consultation. OPS_SAFEGUARD_DISCLOSURE_TBL B. Disclosure Requirements (N.B. The sections below appear only if corresponding safeguard policy is triggered) OPS_EA_DISCLOSURE_TABLE Environmental Assessment/Audit/Management Plan/Other For category A projects, date of Date of receipt by the Bank Date of submission for disclosure distributing the Executive Summary of the EA to the Executive Directors "In country" Disclosure OPS_ PM_D ISCLOSURE_TAB LE Pest Management Plan Was the document disclosed prior to appraisal? Date of receipt by the Bank Date of submission for disclosure Yes "In country" Disclosure OPS_COMPLIANCE_INDICATOR_TBL C. Compliance Monitoring Indicators at the Corporate Level (to be filled in when the ISDS is finalized by the project decision meeting) (N.B. The sections below appear only if corresponding safeguard policy is triggered) OPS_EA_COMP_TABLE OPS_ PM_COM P_TABLE Nov 03, 2021 Page 9 of 12 The World Bank First Additional Financing to the Regional Disease Surveillance Systems Enhancement Project in West Africa, Phase III (REDISSE III) (P176646) OPS_ PDI_ COMP_TAB LE OPS_ALL_COMP_TABLE CONTACT POINT World Bank Djibrilla Karamoko Senior Health Specialist Cedric Ndizeye Senior Health Specialist Ibrahim Magazi Senior Health Specialist Borrower/Client/Recipient Republic of Benin M. Romuald Wadagni Ministre de l'Economie et des Finances sgm@finance.gouv.bj Republic of Mali M. Boubou Cisse Ministre de l'Economie et des Finances mef@finances.gouv.ml Republic of Mauritania El Moctar Ould Djay Ministre de l'Economie et des Finances webmaster@finance.gov.mr Republic of Niger Nov 03, 2021 Page 10 of 12 The World Bank First Additional Financing to the Regional Disease Surveillance Systems Enhancement Project in West Africa, Phase III (REDISSE III) (P176646) M. Hassoumi Massoudou Ministre des Finances finances@finances.gov.ne Implementing Agencies Mauritania - Ministry of Livestock Dr. Fatma Habib Boubakar Minister of Livestock webmaster@sante.gov Benin - CNLS-TP, Présidence de la République du Bénin Dr. Joël Melchior A. Secrétaire Exécutif info@sante.gouv.bj Mali - Ministry of Health M. Samba Sow Ministre de la Sante et de l'Hygiene Publique info@sante.gov.ml Niger - Ministry of Health Dr. Idi Illiassou Mainassara Ministre de la Sante Publique sgm@sante.gouv.bj FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT The World Bank 1818 H Street, NW Washington, D.C. 20433 Telephone: (202) 473-1000 Web: http://www.worldbank.org/projects APPROVAL Djibrilla Karamoko Task Team Leader(s): Cedric Ndizeye Ibrahim Magazi Nov 03, 2021 Page 11 of 12 The World Bank First Additional Financing to the Regional Disease Surveillance Systems Enhancement Project in West Africa, Phase III (REDISSE III) (P176646) Approved By Safeguards Advisor: Nathalie S. Munzberg 13-Dec-2021 Practice Manager/Manager: Magnus Lindelow 14-Dec-2021 Country Director: Boutheina Guermazi 21-Dec-2021 Nov 03, 2021 Page 12 of 12