THE WORLD BANK - ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL COMMITMENT PLAN (ESCP) FOR REPUBLIC OF CONGO COVID-19 EMERGENCY RESPONSE PROJECT - ADDITIONAL FINANCING The Republic of Congo/Ministry of Health and Population AF2 Republic of Congo COVID-19 Emergency Response Project (P177008) Draft ENVIRONMENTAL and SOCIAL COMMITMENT PLAN (ESCP) November, 2021 1|Page THE WORLD BANK - ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL COMMITMENT PLAN (ESCP) FOR REPUBLIC OF CONGO COVID-19 EMERGENCY RESPONSE PROJECT - ADDITIONAL FINANCING ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL COMMITMENT PLAN 1. The Republic of Congo (hereinafter the Recipient) will implement the AF2 Republic of Congo COVID-19 Emergency Response Project (the Project), with the involvement of the following ministries/agencies/units: Ministry of Health, Population, Promotion of Women and Integration of Women in Development; the project implementation unit (PIU). The International Development Bank (hereinafter the Bank) has agreed to provide financing for the Project. 2. The Recipient shall implement material measures and actions so that the Project is implemented in accordance with the Environmental and Social Standards (ESSs). This Environmental and Social Commitment Plan (ESCP) sets out material measures and actions, any specific documents or plans, as well as the timing for each of these. 3. The Recipient is responsible for compliance with all requirements of the ESCP even when implementation of specific measures and actions is conducted by the Ministry, or units referenced in 1. above. 4. Implementation of the material measures and actions set out in this ESCP will be monitored and reported to the Bank by the Recipient as required by the ESCP and the conditions of the legal agreement, and the Bank will monitor and assess progress and completion of the material measures and actions throughout implementation of the Project. 5. As agreed by the Bank and the Recipient, this ESCP may be revised from time to time during Project implementation, to reflect adaptive management of Project changes and unforeseen circumstances or in response to assessment of Project performance conducted under the ESCP itself. In such circumstances, the Recipient will agree to the changes with the Bank and will update the ESCP to reflect such changes. Agreement on changes to the ESCP will be documented through the exchange of letters signed between the Bank and the Recipient. The Recipient will promptly disclose the updated ESCP. 6. Where Project changes, unforeseen circumstances, or Project performance result in changes to the risks and impacts during Project implementation, the Recipient shall provide additional funds, if needed, to implement actions and measures to address such risks and impacts. 2|Page THE WORLD BANK - ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL COMMITMENT PLAN (ESCP) MATERIAL MEASURES AND ACTIONS TIMEFRAME RESPONSIBLE ENTITY/AUTHORITY MONITORING AND REPORTING A REGULAR REPORTING: Prepare and submit to the Bank regular monitoring Quarterly throughout the Project Ministry of Health, reports on the environmental, social, health and safety (ESHS) performance of implementation period. Population, Promotion of the Project, including, but not limited to, stakeholder engagement activities and Women and Integration of grievances log. Women in Development / PIU B INCIDENTS AND ACCIDENTS: Promptly notify the Bank of any incident or Notify the Association within 48 hours PIU at the Ministry of accident related to the Project which has, or is likely to have, a significant of learning about the incident or Health, Population, adverse effect on the environment, the affected communities, the public or accident, in line with the World Bank’s Promotion of Women and workers including, inter alia, any COVID outbreak in the Project area. Provide Environment and Social Incidence Integration of Women in sufficient detail regarding the incident or accident, indicating immediate Response Toolkit (ESIRT). Development measures taken or that are planned to be taken to address it, and any information provided by any contractor and supervising entity, as appropriate. Subsequently, as per the Bank’s request, prepare a report on the incident or A report would be provided to the Bank, accident and propose any measures to prevent its recurrence. Minor as requested. incidents will be reflected in the quarterly reports to the Association; major issues will be flagged to the Association immediately. ESS 1: ASSESSMENT AND MANAGEMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL RISKS AND IMPACTS 1.1 ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE: The Ministry of Health and Population have put PIU maintained throughout Project Ministry of Health, in place and will maintain a PIU with three safeguards specialists (social implementation. Population, Promotion of safeguards, environmental safeguards, and gender-based violence specialist) Women and Integration of and resources to support management of environmental, social, health, and Women in Development / safety (ESHS) risks and impacts of the Project. PIU 1.2 ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL ASSESSMENT/MANAGEMENT PLANS AND Ministry of Health, INSTRUMENTS/ CONTRACTORS Population, Promotion of a. Assess the environmental and social risks and impacts including SEA/SH a. ESMF to be updated, finalized, Women and Integration of risks of proposed Project activities, in accordance with ESS1 and the consulted and disclosed before Women in Development / Environmental and Social Management Framework (ESMF) prepared under appraisal. Assessment to be conducted PIU the first Additional financing to be updated, finalized, disclosed, consulted before the carrying out of the relevant and adopted for the Project to ensure that individuals or groups who, Project activities because of their particular circumstances, may be disadvantaged or vulnerable, have access to the development benefits resulting from the Project. 3|Page THE WORLD BANK - ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL COMMITMENT PLAN (ESCP) MATERIAL MEASURES AND ACTIONS TIMEFRAME RESPONSIBLE ENTITY/AUTHORITY The ESMF will include a template for Infection Control and Waste Management Plan (ICWMP) as well as a template for Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMP) as necessary for rehabilitation of health care facilities and hospitals. b. Plans/instruments shall be prepared, b. Prepare, disclose, adopt, and implement any environmental and social disclosed, consulted and adapted management plans or other instruments required for the respective Project Before the carrying out of the relevant activities based on the assessment process, in accordance with the ESSs, the Project activities, and thereafter ESMF, the EHSGs, and other relevant Good International Industry Practice throughout the carrying out of such (GIIP) including the WHO guidelines on COVID-19 in a manner acceptable to activities. the Bank to, for inter alia, ensure access to and allocation of Project benefits in a fair, equitable and inclusive manner, taking into account the needs of individuals or groups who, because of their circumstances, may be disadvantaged or vulnerable, including, as relevant, with regards to vaccines. c. Before launching the procurement process for the relevant Project c. Incorporate the relevant aspects of this ESCP, including, inter alia, any activities, and thereafter throughout environmental and social management plans, ESS2 requirements, and any the carrying out of such activities. other required ESHS measures, into the ESHS specifications of the procurement documents and contracts with contractors and supervising d. Before the carrying out of the firms. Thereafter ensure that the contractors and supervising firms comply relevant Project activities, and with the ESHS specifications of their respective contracts. Thereafter ensure thereafter implemented throughout that the contractors and supervising firms comply with the ESHS the carrying out of such activities specifications of their respective contracts. 1.3 EXCLUSIONS: Exclude the following type of activities as ineligible for financing During the assessment process Ministry of Health, under the Project: conducted under action 1.2.a. above. Population, Promotion of • Activities that may cause long term, permanent and/or irreversible (e.g. loss Women and Integration of of major natural habitat) adverse impacts, Women in Development / • Activities that have high probability of causing serious adverse effects to PIU human health and/or the environment not related to treatment of COVID19 cases, • Activities that may have significant adverse social impacts and may give rise to significant social conflict, 4|Page THE WORLD BANK - ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL COMMITMENT PLAN (ESCP) MATERIAL MEASURES AND ACTIONS TIMEFRAME RESPONSIBLE ENTITY/AUTHORITY • Activities that may affect lands or rights of Indigenous Peoples or other vulnerable minorities, • Activities that may involve permanent resettlement or land acquisition or adverse impacts on cultural heritage, • Activities which would require Free, Prior, Informed Consent (FPIC), • All the other excluded activities set out in the ESMF of the Project. ESS 2: LABOR AND WORKING CONDITIONS 2.1 LABOR MANAGEMENT: The Project shall be carried out in accordance with the The initial LMP prepared under AF1 will Ministry of Health, applicable requirements of ESS2, in a manner acceptable to the Bank, including be updated, finalized, consulted, Population, Promotion of through, inter alia, implementing labor management procedures (LMP) as set disclosed and adopted prior to Women and Integration of out in the ESMF, preparing adequate occupational health and safety measures effectiveness and before engaging Women in Development / (including emergency preparedness and response measures), drafting codes of project workers in relevant Project PIU conduct including clauses and sanctions against SEA/SH, setting out grievance activities, and to be updated and arrangements for Project workers, as well as codes of conduct that address revised periodically as necessary; LMP SEA/SH, and incorporating labor requirements into the ESHS specifications of and other measures specified in action the procurement documents and contracts with contractors and supervising 2.1 to be implemented throughout firms. These requirements are outlined in the ESMF and Labor Management Project implementation. Procedures (LMP). the project will implement the worker grievance mechanism of parent project. 2.2 OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY: The Recipient shall implement Throughout Project implementation. Ministry of Health, adequate occupational health and safety measures (including emergency Population, Promotion of preparedness and response measures) in line with the ESMF, LMP, Infection Women and Integration of Prevention & Waste Management Plan (IPC&WMP) and WHO guidelines on Women in Development / COVID-19 in all facilities, including laboratories, quarantine and isolation centers PIU and testing stations in a manner acceptable to the Bank. 5|Page THE WORLD BANK - ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL COMMITMENT PLAN (ESCP) MATERIAL MEASURES AND ACTIONS TIMEFRAME RESPONSIBLE ENTITY/AUTHORITY 2.3 WORKERS CODE OF CONDUCT: The Recipient shall ensure that all tender Throughout Project implementation PIU at the Ministry of documents, works contracts or service contracts other than consultancy Health services under the Project require suppliers / service providers, sub-contractors or consultants to adopt a code of conduct which will be handed over to all workers for signature. This code of conduct will apply to contracts or services other than consultancy services, ordered or carried out under such contracts or contracts, will cover in particular gender-based violence, violence against children and sexual exploitation and abuse, include an action plan for their effective application, and provide training to this end. 2.4 CHILD LABOR AND MINIMUM AGE: The Recipient will prohibit child labor (any Throughout Project implementation PIU at the Ministry of person under the age of 18) due to the hazardous work situation. Health ESS 3: RESOURCE EFFICIENCY AND POLLUTION PREVENTION AND MANAGEMENT 3.1 Relevant aspects of this standard shall be considered, as needed, under action 1.2 above, including, inter alia, measures to manage health care wastes and other types of hazardous and non-hazardous wastes. ESS 4: COMMUNITY HEALTH AND SAFETY 4.1 COMMUNITY HEALTH AND SAFETY: Relevant aspects of this standard shall be Throughout Project implementation PIU at the Ministry of considered, as needed, under action 1.2 above including, inter alia, measures Health to: minimize the potential for community exposure to communicable diseases; establish and implement appropriate quality management systems to manage the risks and the impacts that services provided and activities carried out under the Project may have on community health and safety; manage the risks of the use of security personnel; and prevent and respond to sexual exploitation and abuse, and sexual harassment. 4.2 LIFE AND FIRE SAFETY RISK: Relevant aspects of this standard shall be Throughout Project implementation PIU at the Ministry of considered, as needed, under action 1.2 above including, inter alia, measures Health to: minimize the potential for community exposure to communicable diseases; ensure that individuals or groups who, because of their particular circumstances, may be disadvantaged or vulnerable have access to the development benefits resulting from the Project; manage the risks of the use of security personnel; manage the risks of labor influx; and prevent and respond to SEA/SH, especially at quarantine/isolation centers. 6|Page THE WORLD BANK - ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL COMMITMENT PLAN (ESCP) MATERIAL MEASURES AND ACTIONS TIMEFRAME RESPONSIBLE ENTITY/AUTHORITY 4.3 GBV/SEA/SH The SEA/SH Action Plan prepared for PIU at the Ministry of AF1 will be revised to take into account Health Relevant aspects of this standard shall be considered, as needed, inter alia, the SEA/SH risks of AF2 activities measures to minimize and manage the risks of the use of labor influx and Before effectiveness prevent and respond to SEA/SH. 4.4 USE OF SECURITY PERSONNEL: The following measures shall be adopted, to Throughout Project implementation PIU at the Ministry of ensure that the engagement of security personnel to protect lab testing unit, Health quarantine and isolation and/or vaccination centers are carried out in accordance with the ESSs: a. Assess the risks and impacts of engagement of the security personnel, as part of the assessment referred to in action 1.2 a) above, and implement measures to manage such risks and impacts, guided by the principles of proportionality and GIIP, and by applicable law, in relation to hiring, rules of conduct, training, equipping, and monitoring of such security personnel; b. Adopt and enforce standards, protocols and codes of conduct for the selection and use of security personnel, and screen such personnel to verify that they have not engaged in past unlawful or abusive behavior, including sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA), sexual harassment (SH) or excessive use of force; c. Ensure that the security personnel is adequately instructed and trained, prior to development and on a regular basis, on the use of force and appropriate conduct (including in relation to civilian-security engagement, SEA and SH, and other relevant areas), as set out in the Environmental and Social Management Framework.. d. Ensure that the stakeholder engagement activities under the Stakeholder Engagement Plan (SEP) include a communication strategy on the involvement of security personnel under the Project; e. Ensure that any concerns or grievances regarding the conduct of security personnel are received, monitored, documented (taking into account the need to protect confidentiality),resolved through the Project’s grievance mechanism (see action 10.2 below) and reported to the Bank no later than 14 days after being received; ESS 5: LAND ACQUISITION, RESTRICTIONS ON LAND USE AND INVOLUNTARY RESETTLEMENT 5.1 Not currently relevant. 7|Page THE WORLD BANK - ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL COMMITMENT PLAN (ESCP) MATERIAL MEASURES AND ACTIONS TIMEFRAME RESPONSIBLE ENTITY/AUTHORITY ESS 6: BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION AND SUSTAINABLE MANAGEMENT OF LIVING NATURAL RESOURCES 6.1 Not currently relevant. ESS 7: INDIGENOUS PEOPLES/SUB-SAHARAN AFRICAN HISTORICALLY UNDERSERVED TRADITIONAL LOCAL COMMUNITIES 7.1 relevant. The IPPF required for AF1 being developed will be finalized taking into account the AF2. The IPPF will be consulted and disclosed prior to appraisal. 7.2 The Recipient will ensure that IP/SSAHUTLCs communities are appropriately Throughout Project implementation. Ministry of Health, informed and can share in the benefits of the Project in an inclusive and Population, Promotion of culturally appropriate manner (i.e. prevention and treatment) with provisions Women and Integration of included in the ESMF/ESMP and SEP. Women in Development / PIU 7.3 In case IP/SSAHUTLCs would be addressed by quarantine provisions, site- Throughout Project implementation. Ministry of Health, specific Indigenous Peoples plans would be prepared in accordance with the Population, Promotion of ESMF/ESMP and SEP to ensure adequate consideration of their specific cultural Women and Integration of needs, to the satisfaction of the Bank. Women in Development / PIU ESS 8: CULTURAL HERITAGE 8.1 Not currently relevant. In the event any proposed Project activity involves potential risks and impacts related to this standard, relevant aspects of this standard shall be considered, as needed such as for chance finds, under action 1.2 above. ESS 9: FINANCIAL INTERMEDIARIES Not relevant. ESS 10: STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT AND INFORMATION DISCLOSURE 10.1 STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT PLAN: Prepare, disclose, adopt, and implement a The AF1 SEP will be updated, consulted Ministry of Health, Stakeholder Engagement Plan (SEP) consistent with ESS10, in a manner and disclosed prior to appraisal. The SEP Population, Promotion of acceptable to the Bank. The SEP shall be updated to include the Risk shall be implemented throughout the Women and Integration of communication and community engagement (RCCE) strategy, to be prepared Project implementation period. Women in Development under the Project in line with WHO provisions on “Risk communication and /PIU community engagement (RCCE) readiness and response to the 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV)� (January 26, 2020). 8|Page THE WORLD BANK - ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL COMMITMENT PLAN (ESCP) MATERIAL MEASURES AND ACTIONS TIMEFRAME RESPONSIBLE ENTITY/AUTHORITY 10.2 GRIEVANCE MECHANISM: Accessible grievance arrangements shall be made Throughout Project implementation. Ministry of Health, publicly available to receive and facilitate resolution of concerns and grievances Population, Promotion of in relation to the Project, including SEA/SH complaints, consistent with ESS10, Women and Integration of in a manner acceptable to the Bank. Without limitation to the foregoing, the Women in Development / Recipient will establish a project-wide grievance redress mechanism (GRM) with PIU assignment of properly trained focal points to address these grievances within Ministry of Health and Population. The project will also implement the worker GRM. The grievance mechanism shall also receive, register and address concerns and grievances related to the sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment in a safe and confidential manner, including through the referral of survivors to gender-based violence service providers. The grievance mechanism shall also receive, register and address concerns arising from unintended health consequences after vaccination especially those resulting in serious adverse effects. CAPACITY SUPPORT (TRAINING) Training topics for personnel involved in Project activities will among others No later than 30 days of the Effective Ministry of Health, include: Date and periodically and throughout Population, Promotion of • ESF requirements; Project implementation. Women and Integration of • Communication strategy on COVID-19 Infection Prevention and Control Women in Development / Recommendations; PRISP-PIU • COVID-19 Infection Prevention and Control Recommendations; • Vaccine storage, transportation, distribution and administration; • Laboratory biosafety guidance related to the COVID-19; • Specimen collection and shipment; • Standard precautions for COVID-19 patients; • Risk communication and community engagement; • WHO and Africa CDC guidelines on quarantine including case management; • Other pertinent environmental and social issues, including management of VSBG, SEA/SH risks; • Grievance redress mechanism (GRM); • Medical and hazardous waste management. 9|Page THE WORLD BANK - ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL COMMITMENT PLAN (ESCP) 10 | P a g e