Name of Project The Government of Liberia/Ministry of Health Liberia COVID-19 ERP [P173788] and Second Additional Financing (P178479) Final Version for Negotiations ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL COMMITMENT Page 1 of 9 Name of Project ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL COMMITMENT PLAN 1. The Government of Liberia (hereafter the Borrower/Recipient) is planning to implement the second Additional Financing (AF) support for the Liberia COVID-19 Emergency Response Project (hereafter the Project) to enable affordable and equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines and effective vaccine deployment in Liberia. The project will be implemented through the Ministry of Health (MoH) and National Public Health Institute of Liberia (NPHIL) with the funding from the World Bank and the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) and the International Development Association (IDA) (hereafter the Bank). 2. The Borrower/Recipient through the MoH and the NPHIL shall ensure the Project is carried out in accordance with the World Bank’s Environmental and Social Standards (ESSs). To this end, this Environmental and Social Commitment Plan (ESCP) sets out material measures and actions to be carried out by the Government of Liberia, including the timeframes of the actions and measures, institutional, staffing, training, monitoring and reporting arrangements, grievance management and the environmental and social assessments and instruments to be prepared or updated, disclosed, consulted, adopted and implemented under the ESCP and the ESSs, all in a manner acceptable to the World Bank. 3. Implementation of the material measures and actions set out in this ESCP shall be monitored and reported to the World Bank by the Government of Liberia through the MoH and the NPHIL as required by the ESCP and the provisions of the Financing Agreement. 4. As agreed by the World Bank and the Government of Liberia, 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 Government of Liberia through the MoH and NPHIL shall update the ESCP to reflect the agreed action upon changes. Agreement on changes to the ESCP shall be documented through an exchange of letters signed between the World Bank and the Government of Liberia. The Government of Liberia through the MoH and NPHIL shall promptly disclose the updated ESCP. Where Project changes, unforeseen circumstances, or Project performance result in changes to the risks and impacts during Project implementation, the Government of Liberia shall provide additional funds, if needed, to implement actions and measures to address such risks and impacts, which may include environmental, health, and safety impacts and gender-based violence. Page 2 of 9 Name of Project MATERIALS MEASURES AND ACTIONS TIMEFRAME RESPONSIBLE ENTITY/AUTHORITY Monitoring and Reporting A REGULAR REPORTING: MoH will prepare and submit to the World Bank Starting from the Effective Date, quarterly E&S Ministry of Health (MoH) through regular monitoring reports on the environmental, social, health and safety Compliance Monitoring reports shall continue to the Project Implementation Unit (ESHS) performance of the Project, including but not limited to, stakeholder be submitted no later than 10 days after the end (PIU), engagement activities and grievances log. of each reporting period, throughout Project Implementation. B INCIDENTS AND ACCIDENTS: Promptly notify the World Bank of any incident Notify the Bank within 48hours after learning of MoH through the PIU or accident related to the Project which has, or is likely to have, a significant the incident or Accident. Upon request from the adverse effect on the environment, the affected communities, the public or Bank, investigate the incident or accident and workers, including, inter alia, any COVID outbreak in the Project area. Provide report the details of the root causes and sufficient detail regarding the incident or accident, indicating immediate corrective action within 15 working days 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 accident and propose any measures to prevent its recurrence. Additionally, the project should promptly notify on vaccination abnormality and adverse effect that may likely occur during the administering of the vaccine. ESS 1: ASSESSMENT AND MANAGEMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL RISKS AND IMPACTS 1.1 ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE: The Ministry of Health and the National public The PIU shall be maintained throughout project MoH Health Institute of Liberia manage the project through the Project implementation. Specifically, the PIU shall Implementation Unit (PIU). The PIU includes Project Manager and deputy maintain the one full-time Environmental and project manager, Technical Coordinator, one Environmental and one Social one Social Safeguard Specialists with experience Safeguard Specialist, finance officer, procurement officer, program officer, in SEA/H risks management. These two E&S communication officer and other supportive staffs staffs shall be maintained throughout the project. 1.2 ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL ASSESSMENT/MANAGEMENT PLANS AND MoH through the PIU INSTRUMENTS/ CONTRACTORS a. The ESMF of the parent project was a. Assess the environmental and social risks (E&S), including SEA/SH-related updated, consulted on, re-disclosed and risks, and impacts of proposed Project activities, in accordance with the adopted for the AF1. With project design Environmental and Social Management Framework (ESMF) prepared been modified to address waste under parent project and updated for the AF1 financing arrangements, management and site security at the the ESSs, the Environmental, Health and Safety Guidelines (EHSGs), and National Reference Laboratory , the ESMF Page 3 of 9 Name of Project other relevant Good International Industry Practice (GIIP), including will be updated, consulted upon, adopted relevant WHO guidelines. ESMF for the additional financing (one) will be and redisclosed within three (3) months of adopted for this AF2 project. Project effectiveness and shall be extended to all AF2 activities in accordance with ESS1. With project design been modified to address waste management and site I. In line with the WHO Interim Guidance security at the National Reference Laboratory, the ESMF will be updated, (February 12, 2020) on “Laboratory consulted upon, adopted and redisclosed within three (3) months of Biosafety Guidance related to the novel Project effectiveness. The Additional Financing will adopt the Labor coronavirus (2019-nCoV),� the National Management Procedures (LMP) prepared and disclosed under AF-1 and Guidelines for the Safe Management of the National Guidelines for the Safe Management of Healthcare Waste in Healthcare Waste in Liberia has been Liberia (NGSMHW) will also be used consistent with ESS2 and ESS3. revised and printed for distribution. The plan includes training of staff to be b. Ensure access to and allocation of Project benefits in a fair, equitable and aware of all hazards they might inclusive manner, taking into account the needs of individuals or groups encounter. Distribution and training of who, because of their particular circumstances, may be disadvantaged or Staff on the revised National Guidelines vulnerable, including, undocumented migrants. for the Safe Management of Healthcare Waste in Liberia shall be carried out c. Incorporate the relevant aspects of this ESCP, including, inter alia, the within three months after project ESMF and environmental and social management plans or other effectiveness. instruments, ESS2 requirements, and any other required ESHS measures, into the terms of reference (ToRs) of the procurement documents and II. Plans/instruments prepared, disclosed, contracts with contractors and supervising firms. Thereafter ensure that consulted and adopted under previous the contractors and supervising firms comply with the ESHS specifications financing arrangements shall be of their respective contracts. implemented throughout implementation of the AF2 project d. Adopt procedures, protocols and/or other measures to ensure Project activities beneficiaries that receive vaccines under the Project do so under a program that does not include forced vaccination and is acceptable to the Bank, as set out in the ESMF. b. The relevant ESHS measures shall be incorporated into the procurement e. National Deployment and Vaccine Plan, which covers health and safety documents before launching the aspects related to vaccine deployment, distribution, vaccination, and procurement process for the relevant waste management. This is to be thoroughly reviewed and assessed prior project activities and shall thereafter to the application for the AF2. complied with ESHS activities throughout the carrying out of such project. Page 4 of 9 Name of Project c. Before carrying out of the relevant project activities, and thereafter implemented throughout project implementation. d. A thorough review of National Guidelines for the Safe Management of Healthcare Waste in Liberia, updated in 2020, have been approved, printed disclosed and await the distribution at vaccination health facilities. The National Deployment of Vaccine Plan shall continue to be used for the AF2 implementation. National Guidelines for the Safe Management of Healthcare Waste in Liberia shall be kept at all facilities and its locations should be known to all staff. This should be done not later than one month after project effectiveness. The guidelines measures and deployment action plan shall be implemented throughout the project cycle with additional training on the SOP for its implementation. MATERIAL MEASURES AND ACTIONS TIMEFRAME RESPONSIBLE ENTITY/AUTHORITY 1.3 These exclusions shall be applied as part of the assessment process conducted under action EXCLUSIONS: Exclude the following types of activities that are ineligible for 1.2.a. above. financing under the project. • Biosafety Level 3 (BSL3) activities will be excluded if there are no (Before carrying out the relevant Project appropriate OHS capacity and infrastructure is in place. activities and will be maintained throughout • All the other excluded activities are set up in the ESMF of the project implementation). MoH through the PIU project. ESS 2: LABOR AND WORKING CONDITIONS 2.1 LABOR MANAGEMENT: The Project shall be carried out in accordance with the The LMP, annexed to the updated AF1 ESMF, applicable requirements of ESS2 including through, inter alia, implementing shall be maintained, implemented, monitored adequate occupational health and safety measures (including personal and evaluated throughout AF2 Project protective equipment, emergency preparedness and response measures, as implementation. All other measures specified MoH through the PIU/ NPHIL well as relevant measures to mitigate risk of SEA/SH on the worksite), setting Page 5 of 9 Name of Project out grievance mechanisms for Project workers, which will likewise include shall also be implemented throughout the AF2 specific procedures to address workplace SH claims, and incorporating labor Project implementation period. requirements into the ESHS specifications of the procurement documents and contracts with contractors and supervising firms, including contract requirements to address SEA/SH risk. Incorporate the relevant aspects of this ESCP, including, inter alia, the LMP annexed to the ESMF, and any other required ESHS measures, into the ESHS specifications of the procurement documents and contracts with contractors and supervising firms. Thereafter ensure that the contractors comply with the ESHS specifications of their respective contracts. ESS 3: RESOURCE EFFICIENCY AND POLLUTION PREVENTION AND MANAGEMENT Relevant aspects of this standard shall be considered, as needed, under action Throughout the AF2 project implementation MoH through the PIU/ NPHIL 1.2 above, including, inter alia, measures to: carry out the purchase , storage, transportation and handling of vaccines (including, ultra-cold chain management) in a safe manner and in accordance with the EHSs, and other relevant GIIP including relevant WHO guidelines; and adequately manage and dispose of health care. ESS 4: COMMUNITY HEALTH AND SAFETY 4.1 a) Relevant aspects of this standard shall be considered, as needed, a. All related measures including SEA/SH MoH through the PIU/ NPHIL under action 1.2 above including, inter alia, measures to: minimize action Plan shall be implemented the potential for community exposure to communicable diseases; accordingly before effectiveness and establish and implement appropriate quality management systems to throughout project implementation manage the risks and the impacts that services provided and activities carried out under the Project may have on community health and b. Throughout the project safety; manage the risks of the use of security personnel; manage the implementation risks of labor influx; and prevent and respond to sexual exploitation and abuse, and sexual harassment c. Before effectiveness; b) Strictly follow the SOP, provisions, and directive National Guidelines d. No later than (3) months of project for the Safe Management of Healthcare Waste in Liberia at each effectiveness; facility e. No later than (3) months of project effectiveness; c) Restrict access to the National Reference Laboratory Located at f. Until functional incinerator with ashpit Charlesville. is available at the national reference laboratory; Page 6 of 9 Name of Project d) Immediately halt the open burning of waste generated at the g. No later than three (3) months of National Reference Laboratory project effectiveness; e) Immediately fence the current waste facility at the National h. Over the life of the project Reference Laboratory to prevent access to pets, animals and scavengers, f) In the interim and upon the halting of open burning practices at the facility, all waste generated at the National Reference Laboratory should be securely transported to a nearby approved hazardous waste disposal sites for final disposal, g) A mini-incinerator be constructed at the National reference laboratory for the disposal of waste generated at the facility h) Engage with communities living around NRL, educate them about the i. Prior to the project effectiveness risks related to the site and infections, install signages and bords indicating hazardous site i) Ensure functional incinerator in place for all healthcare facilities and halt practice of open burning of waste. USE OF MILITARY OR SECURITY PERSONNEL: Not relevant Not relevant The project shall NOT engage or involve the use of the military or security personnel for the roll out of the vaccination process ESS 5: LAND ACQUISITION, RESTRICTIONS ON LAND USE AND INVOLUNTARY RESETTLEMENT In the unlikely event of involuntary resettlement leading to displacement of Not relevant at present MoH though the PIU people and their livelihood in connection with any project activities including The PIU shall prepare and implement a fencing of NRL facility, ESS5 will be triggered to inform the preparation and Resettlement Action Plan (RAP), if required and implementation of Resettlement Action Plan (RAP) to address the issues obtain NO from Bank prior to start any activities related to land acquisition, restriction on land use and involuntary under ESS5 resettlement ESS 6: BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION AND SUSTAINABLE MANAGEMENT OF LIVING NATURAL RESOURCES Not relevant Not relevant Not relevant ESS 7: INDIGENOUS PEOPLES/SUB-SAHARAN AFRICAN HISTORICALLY UNDERSERVED TRADITIONAL LOCAL COMMUNITIES Not relevant Not relevant Not relevant ESS 8: CULTURAL HERITAGE Not relevant Not relevant Not relevant ESS 9: FINANCIAL INTERMEDIARIES Not relevant Not relevant Not relevant ESS 10: STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT AND INFORMATION DISCLOSURE Page 7 of 9 Name of Project STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT PLAN: Prepared or revised, to be disclosed, The SEP for the AF1 has been updated for AF2 MoH through the PIU consult, adopt and implement a Stakeholder Engagement Plan (SEP) and shall be disclosed prior to Negotiation and consistent with ESS10, which shall include measures to, inter alia, provide adopted prior to effectiveness. It shall be stakeholders with timely relevant, understandable and accessible information, implemented throughout the project cycle. and consult with stakeholders in a culturally appropriate manner, which is free of manipulation, interference, coercion, discrimination and intimidation. Continue community engagement to manage the community perception and expectations. Engage consciously, targeting vulnerable groups and people living with disability and allocate resources for CSOs and CBOs for downstream engagement and engage with them in constructive manner. GRIEVANCE MECHANISM: An accessible grievance mechanism shall be The AF1 project GRM shall be retained, ensured MoH through the PIU established, publicized, maintained and operated to receive and facilitate to be functional prior to the carrying out of any resolution of concerns and grievances in relation to the Project, promptly, project activities and complete the establishing effectively, and in a transparent manner that is culturally appropriate and in the remaining counties, within 3 months of readily accessible to all Project-affected parties, at no cost and without the project effectiveness, and shall be retribution. The grievance mechanism shall also accommodate concerns and maintained throughout project implementation. grievances filed anonymously, in a manner consistent with ESS10 The grievance mechanism shall also receive, register and address concerns and grievances related to sexual exploitation and abuse and sexual harassment. This shall be done 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, and, as appropriate, requests for compensation. Complaints could also be lodged in respect of the handling, transportation, storage and disposal of vaccines and vaccine wastes CAPACITY SUPPORT (TRAINING) Project Implementation Unit and other relevant implementing support staff No later than 30 days from the project MoH through the PIU responsible for the Project to receive training on the Project’s ESHS plans and effectiveness date and periodically when there instruments. This is to ensure a fair, equitable and inclusive access and is addition of new Project team members. This allocation of Project benefits including with regards to vaccines, and the roles shall continue throughout the project and responsibilities of different key agencies in the ESMF implementation. In implementation. specific, develop a capacity enhancement plan and training for the waste management team and all relevant staff. Undertake the Institutional Capacity Assessment and Institutional Capacity Page 8 of 9 Name of Project Strengthening Plan prior to project effectiveness date. The training plan developed within the framework shall be implemented throughout the duration of the AF2 project. Page 9 of 9