The World Bank Monrovia Integrated Development Project (P169718) Concept Environmental and Social Review Summary Concept Stage (ESRS Concept Stage) Public Disclosure Date Prepared/Updated: 06/28/2021 | Report No: ESRSC02151 Jun 28, 2021 Page 1 of 12 The World Bank Monrovia Integrated Development Project (P169718) BASIC INFORMATION A. Basic Project Data Country Region Project ID Parent Project ID (if any) Liberia AFRICA WEST P169718 Project Name Monrovia Integrated Development Project Practice Area (Lead) Financing Instrument Estimated Appraisal Date Estimated Board Date Urban, Resilience and Investment Project 2/1/2022 7/21/2022 Land Financing Borrower(s) Implementing Agency(ies) Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Public Works Development Planning Proposed Development Objective The Project Development Objective (PDO) is to enhance urban living conditions and climate resilience in Greater Public Disclosure Monrovia, and to strengthen municipal and institutional capacities for integrated urban management. Financing (in USD Million) Amount Total Project Cost 49.60 B. Is the project being prepared in a Situation of Urgent Need of Assistance or Capacity Constraints, as per Bank IPF Policy, para. 12? No C. Summary Description of Proposed Project [including overview of Country, Sectoral & Institutional Contexts and Relationship to CPF] The Greater Monrovia development challenges and flood risks provide a strategic opportunity to implement a cross- cutting approach that concurrently enables the delivery of basic services, reduces food risks, and increases capacities for the future management of Greater Monrovia. In response, this project is designed to a) mitigate flood risks through structural and non-structural measures; b) provide services/infrastructure investments in underserved neighborhoods; and c) improve institutional capacity for management and development of Greater Monrovia. D. Environmental and Social Overview Jun 28, 2021 Page 2 of 12 The World Bank Monrovia Integrated Development Project (P169718) D.1. Detailed project location(s) and salient physical characteristics relevant to the E&S assessment [geographic, environmental, social] The proposed activities under the project will be implemented in Greater Monrovia region. One-quarter of the country’s 4.5 million people lives in the capital city, Monrovia, and in surrounding Montserrado County. Greater Monrovia with its geographical features (low-lying and flat topography; high rainfall especially along the coast) and socio-economic characteristics (fragility, poverty and informality) is extremely vulnerable to floods, which are predicted to become more frequent and intense with climate change. The Mesurado wetlands are located within the Greater Monrovia area and they are a designated Ramsar site. In Monrovia, existing critical infrastructure and assets, such as 30 km of major roads , 35% of schools and 14% of hospitals are currently located in a flood risk zone. As of 2014, 104sq.km of built-up area in the metropolitan region was located in the flood risk zone, increasing at an average annual rate of 0.37% between the years 1975 and 2014. It is projected that a one-meter rise in sea level by end of century, will place almost 230,000 people at risk and cause the loss of 2,150 square kilometers of coastal land, including the infrastructure and much of Monrovia, valued at US$250 million for the country. Greater Monrovia – like all of Liberia has also been affected by the civil wars and internal conflicts disrupted infrastructures and economic activities during 1989-2003. The end of the internal conflict has created high expectation for reconstruction and recovery. The process of rebuilding and transforming institutions proceeded at a slow peace, and gains in core social indicators as well as progress toward diversifying the economic base was limited. A recent gender assessment of Monrovia concluded that women’s political participation at the municipal level and decision-making structures is low.14 This lack of involvement of women can contribute to further gender gaps, such as women’s limited access to safe, affordable, accessible infrastructure or gender-blind infrastructure design that doesn’t consider and address women’s needs. The gender inequality compounds the country’s larger socioeconomic Public Disclosure disparities, as women from poor households and vulnerable communities face severely limited economic opportunities and endure worse human development outcomes. Women from households at the top of the income distribution enjoy ample opportunities in both the public and private sectors, and Liberian women have risen to top positions in the government. However, girls and women in rural areas and poor urban communities have very little access to quality education, healthcare, and employment options. Liberian women experience high rates of early pregnancy, school dropout, and child and maternal mortality, all of which are especially common among poor households. During the conflict, rape was used as a weapon of war, and fourteen years later Liberia continues to grapple with a high incidence of rape and other forms of GBV. An integrated, gender-responsive approach will help build resilience at the household and community levels. D. 2. Borrower’s Institutional Capacity Project Management Unit (PMU). The project will establish a PMU at the MPW . Other entities, such as the MCC or PCC, were considered as implementing agencies but due to their limited geographical mandate, MPW as a line Ministry was selected due to its broader geographic, i.e. national mandate and technical responsibility for major infrastructure activities under Component 1. The PMU will be responsible for day-to-day project implementation, coordination between the different technical agencies, preparing annual work plans and budgets, coordinating the development of TORs, BOQs, etc., managing procurement processes, monitoring safeguards aspects, M&E, etc. The PMU will at a minimum be staffed with an Engineer; Project Coordinator; Procurement Specialist; Financial Management Assistant; Social Safeguards Specialist; Environmental Safeguards Specialist; Contract Management Specialist; and a Community Engagement and Gender Specialist with experience in GBV risks management. Financial management functions will be implemented by the PFMU hosted at the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning (MFDP). Jun 28, 2021 Page 3 of 12 The World Bank Monrovia Integrated Development Project (P169718) Project Steering Committee (PSC). A PSC will be established to provide strategic oversight, review annual work plans and budgets, regularly monitor and evaluate implementation status, and conduct general project supervision meetings on a regular basis as well as other tasks to be agreed upon between the PSC members per Terms of Reference (TOR). The PSC will be co-chaired by MFDP, MCC, and PCC. Additional members will be EPA, LLA, LRA, Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA), MPW, and NDMA. The co-chairs will prepare TORs for the PSC during project preparation to ensure that the PSC is formally established prior to Board approval. Technical Committee (TC). Several technical agencies (EPA LLA, LRA, LWSC, MIA, MPW, MCC, NDMA, PCC) will play a key role for the implementation of project activities. Therefore, a Technical Committee (TC) chaired by MPW and MIA will be established to assess progress of the project and make technical decisions to ensure smooth implementation of MIDP. The TC responsibility will be to provide technical input to the PMU for preparing TORs/BOQs/etc. and lead the technical contract management of consultants and firms. To strengthen the liaison between the technical agencies and the PMU, the core agencies (MCC, PCC, LWSC, MIA) could hire technical consultants for improved coordination and technical backstopping. Regular supervision by the Bank’s safeguards specialists will be conducted to contribute to strengthening the MPW’’s safeguards compliance and capacity. The PMU shall prepare frameworks documents (ESMF & RPF) for required Environmental and Social Management and Resettlement issues, a Stakeholder Engagement Plan (SEP) and an Environment and Social Commitment Plan (ESCP). If required, this will be followed by preparation of subproject- specific Environmental and Social Impacts Assessment (ESIA), Abbreviated Resettlement Action Plan (ARAP)/ Resettlement Action Plan (RAP), Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMP) or Simplified Environmental and Social Management Plan (SESMP), followed by the implementation of ESMP or SESMP and ARAP/RAP. The safeguards staff shall support the activities related to preparation and implementation of the safeguard instruments and Public Disclosure monitoring of implementations. II. SCREENING OF POTENTIAL ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL (ES) RISKS AND IMPACTS A. Environmental and Social Risk Classification (ESRC) Substantial Environmental Risk Rating Substantial The environmental risk rating for this project is Substantial under the World Bank ESF. This risk rating takes into consideration, amongst other things, the type of project and nature of its activities, the sensitivity of project areas as well as E&S implementation capacity. Project component 1 includes rehabilitating priority city-wide and neighborhood level infrastructure investments, and existing public assets in Greater Monrovia. The civil works may involve demolition, excavation, alterations, constructions and other civil works. These activities might create short- term disturbances to the environment and create inconveniences to people in the project area. Since most of the project activities will take place in densely populated urban communities and within the city where restriction to project locations may not be possible, issues such as public safety, noise and dust pollution are some of the risk and impacts to be addressed. Community health and safety issues, especially with regards to the safety of the rehabilitated community infrastructures, such as market buildings, public toilets and community centers, will need to be considered in the design, construction, and operation phases of these facilities. The potential environmental risks and impacts would need to be explored further includes issues related to soil, water availability and use for construction, cultural heritages, inconvenience to the people during implementation, if any. This project does not pose any long term or irreversible impacts or risks. Jun 28, 2021 Page 4 of 12 The World Bank Monrovia Integrated Development Project (P169718) Social Risk Rating Substantial The social risk rating related to the project is classified as Substantial under the World Bank ESF, based on the type of project, nature of its activities including; i) the likely risk to exclude women and most vulnerable people from the project benefit thereby widening the inequality gaps, ii) the unknown nature of the implementing agency PMU’s capacity to manage social risks and impacts, iii) lack of a single entity governing Greater Monrovia and often- overlapping mandates of involved entities which is likely to create coordination and collaboration challenges. Overall social impacts of the project are expected to be positive. The project is proposed in metropolitan region of capital city, Monrovia. Criteria for neighborhood selection and methodology for neighborhood and municipal infrastructure prioritization would be developed through a participatory process during project preparation. The proposed activities of rehabilitation and construction of infrastructure indicate and anticipated the risks of relocations of squatters and encroachers, if they are found squatting or encroaching the public properties identified for rehabilitation. To address this, ARAP/RAP shall be prepared, if required so. To guide preparation of ARAP/RAP, Resettlement Policy Framework (RPF) shall be prepared and cleared by the Bank for ready reference. The project works, under component 1 may create inconveniences to the local residence due to generating dust during demolition and clearing of the site, construction, diversion of the traffic, etc. To deal with these situations, the measures suggested in ESMP will address such issues. Overall, the project activities are not expected to create irreversible or long term negative social impacts. The issues related to GBV is critical in the country. In addition, the project may require deployment of outside laborers for specialized works. Subsequently the local conditions and influx of outside laborers may complicate this issue. The GBV risks screening has rated the project area as Moderate. To avoid any incidences of GBV, a Gender specialist with work experience in GBV risks management shall be included in the supervision consultant’s team. The specialist shall explore the possibilities of gender inclusiveness in Public Disclosure the project and also undertake GBV risk screening and assessment using tool developed by the Global GBV Task Force of the World Bank, identify local grievance resolution structure and organizations working on the women and children’s rights. The specialists shall also evaluate contractor GBV response proposal in the C-ESMP and confirm prior to finalizing the contract the contractor’s ability to meet the project’s GBV requirements. The PMU will develop or update the GBV service providers mapping for the project area and clearly define GBV requirements including Code of Conduct (CoC) as per risk rating and need, engage women organizations, GBV specialized agencies and partners to work, and develop a GBV action plan including accountability and response framework, as part of project ESMP. In case the GBV risk rating is escalated, mitigation measures shall follow the GBV risk level. B. Environment and Social Standards (ESSs) that Apply to the Activities Being Considered B.1. General Assessment ESS1 Assessment and Management of Environmental and Social Risks and Impacts Overview of the relevance of the Standard for the Project: According to the Concept Note, component 1 involve upgrading Poor Urban Neighborhoods and Provision of Resilient Infrastructure in Greater Monrovia. This will improve basic infrastructure and services in selected neighborhoods and give focus to investments identified as contributing to disaster risk reduction and prevention as well as having positive social, economic and health impacts in low income unplanned/informal settlements. Activities will be based on community consultations, which will ensure participation and decision-making of women. The activities under this component has the potential to generate environmental and social risks and impacts which the PIU with the help of competent consultant will assess, manage, and monitor during the project life cycle. Existing public assets will be Jun 28, 2021 Page 5 of 12 The World Bank Monrovia Integrated Development Project (P169718) screened for potential disaster and climate-change risks, to select safer locations. Additionally, each infrastructure rehabilitated will be designed to climate resilient standards and incorporate adaptation and mitigation benefits where possible (for instance, solar panels will be introduced to every building that will be rehabilitated). Functional rehabilitation of underutilized or vacated buildings could be refurbished and designated as community centers that deliver multiple services, including family support/health/life skill activities. There possibility the Government may request the Bank to reallocate project proceeds to support natural and made disaster or climate change event that might result in reconstruction activities. Overall, the below are the E&S risks and impact to be considered in different project phases. Design phase: The project will invest in rehabilitation or construction of priority neighborhood level infrastructure in Greater Monrovia. The selection process of these infrastructures for rehabilitation will need to incorporate design and safety considerations with a focus on safety risks to affected communities and third parties that will access these facilities. The screening anticipate impacts on the people, land, buildings and properties, however risks of major displacement due to resettlement or land acquisition may not occur in the project. At this stage, possibilities of resettlement of squatters and encroachers, on unutilized / underutilized properties to be used for project, may not be ignored. To deal with the issues related resettlement / compensation, the Resettlement Policy Framework (RPF) shall be prepared to provide guidance on how to manage resettlement of squatters, encroachers, owners or potential restriction of access to land or properties. Construction Phase: The proposed activities will be carried out in a built environment and urban setting. The main concerns during the construction phase are related to worker’s health and safety, community health and safety Public Disclosure including traffic and road safety, safety of services and facility design and safety, as well as management of excavated materials and other construction related wastes. The public may be exposed to the dust generated during excavation, site clearing and movement of site equipment as work will be carried out in populated communities in some instances. Another impact to the public to consider, though temporary, is visual impacts. Temporary visual impacts will include the view of construction equipment, exposed excavated materials and the presence of dust resulting from construction activities. In addition, the project may affect urban dwellers for their access to and movements, traders including street vendors from their day to day earning and will need attention to compensate for their losses and impacts. Operation Phase: The overall environmental and social impact of improved infrastructures and services should be positive. The rehabilitation of infrastructure will include measure to make it disabled friendly in its use. However, support to rehabilitation of infrastructures such as public toilets and water supply systems may generate adverse environmental and social impacts as well as pose unintended risks to public health. Issues such as bacteriological or chemical contamination of water sources due to improper siting and creation of standing, stagnant water that breeds disease-carrying insects are among the numerous concerns and issues that may arise during operation. At this stage, the infrastructures to be rehabilitated, subproject, location of the subprojects, E&S footprints under Component 1 have not been fully confirmed. The project will prepare an ESMF for the reference and guidance for preparation and implementation of site-specific safeguards instruments where and when required. Prior to undertaking construction activities, the subproject will be screened and if requires would conduct Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) studies, prepare Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMP) to assess the risks and impacts and develop mitigation and monitoring plan of those impacts. Areas where “Use of Borrower Framework” is being considered: Jun 28, 2021 Page 6 of 12 The World Bank Monrovia Integrated Development Project (P169718) Environmental Impact Assessment is a legal requirement in Liberia. The Environmental Protection Agency Act, Section 37, provides a mechanism for balancing development and environmental concerns, while the Environmental Protection and Management Law (EPML) of Liberia requires EIA license or permit for projects or activities in Annex I of the Law. In addition to the EPA Act and the EPML, the EPA has developed detailed procedural guidelines for conducting EIA in Liberia. The civil works including rehabilitation and new construction proposed under Component 1 fall under the EIA mandatory list. The project will be required to prepare site-specific management plans-a full ESIA or an ESMP-acceptable to the EPA of Liberia, while satisfying the Bank’s Environmental and Social Standards, and obtain an EIA permit from the EPA prior to the commencement of civil works. The project will therefore rely partly on the borrower’s system in this regard. ESS10 Stakeholder Engagement and Information Disclosure The Project will establish a systematic approach to stakeholder engagement, to assess the level of stakeholder interest and support for the project, to promote and provide means of effective and inclusive engagement with affected and other interested people throughout the project life cycle. The Stakeholder Engagement Plan (SEP) will outline the characteristics and interest of the relevant stakeholder group, list the stakeholders, tentative timing for consultations, methods of engagement, places for engagement and consultations and cost involved to successful implementation of the SEP and establishing functional GRM. The Government/PIU will start engagement, consultations and feedback collection with beginning of preparation and continue for the entire project life. In addition, project level Grievance Redress Mechanism (GRM) will also be constituted in effective manner for meaningful stakeholder engagement and to address grievances, if any. Thus, the application of ESS 10 – Stakeholder Public Disclosure Engagement and Information Disclosure will central part of the Monrovia Integrated Development Project. B.2. Specific Risks and Impacts A brief description of the potential environmental and social risks and impacts relevant to the Project. ESS2 Labor and Working Conditions This ESS relates to the project workers and their working condition, the project will involve in (i) hiring and management of direct PMU staffs, (ii) hiring and use of contracting and consulting services for the direct project activities, (iii) hiring and management of primary supply workers to participate in or support the implementation of project activities, and (iv) occupational health and safety (OHS). The Liberia Labor laws are robust, guarantee minimum wage and protect the rights of workers. However, for this project, the MPW will prepare Labor Management Procedure (LMP) which will have detailed information on the work terms and conditions. The LMP will be prepared in line with ESS2 requirements and national provisions. The health and safety of the workers get proper attention especially the women workers must get full attention with sufficient rest hours during work, separate toilet facility and equal remuneration and benefits at work. It needs to ensure non- discrimination and equal opportunity in respect to access to the project-related opportunities and benefits. The project shall not engage in recruitment and use of child or forced labor. The LMP will also have a separate GRM established for all direct workers and contracted workers to raise workplace concerns, which will be separate from the GRM required under ESS 5 and 10. Jun 28, 2021 Page 7 of 12 The World Bank Monrovia Integrated Development Project (P169718) The construction activities, under component-1, will involve clearing of the site, excavation of foundation for buildings with the risk of cave-in depending on the depth and ground condition of the area; working at height with the risk of fall from height; the use of hand-held tools (digger, shovel, and machete) and power equipment such as concrete mixer for example may pose risks to workers’ health and safety. Workers may also be exposed to harmful substances such as cement during construction. OHS measures will need to be designed and implemented to ensure that workers’ health and safety is protected. The contractor will be required to develop a contractor’s environmental, health and safety management plan outlining procedures for identifying hazards, provision for preventive and protective measures, training and induction requirements, and remedies for adverse impacts. ESS3 Resource Efficiency and Pollution Prevention and Management The project under consideration is not expected to generate significant pollution to the main environmental components i.e. air, water and land. City-wide rehabilitation of priority infrastructures will inevitably generate waste mostly during the construction phase. This waste is expected to be mostly nonhazardous wastes. Old public buildings in Liberia are likely to have asbestos roofing sheets. Once project preparation is finalized and the infrastructures to be rehabilitated are identified, the ESMF under ESS1 will need to include this risk and subsequently develop management measures if need be. The applicability and relevance of this ESS will be further explored during the ESMF, and measures to avoid and mitigate risks and impacts included in the project ESMP. ESS4 Community Health and Safety Public Disclosure The borrower will be required to assess the risks and impacts of the project on community health and safety. Several areas of concerns to be evaluated with respect to this project, especially activities envisioned under Component 1, will include the following i) traffic and road safety, ii) safety of services and community exposure to health issues, iii) infrastructure design issues, and iv) potential risks and impacts arising from labor influx, if so. The selection process of these infrastructures for rehabilitation will need to incorporate design and safety considerations that take into consideration safety risks to affected communities and third parties who will access these facilities. This is important to ensure that safety risks to affected communities and third parties who will access these facilities are assessed and appropriate mitigation measures are developed. During the construction phase, the key community health and safety concerns will include traffic and road safety and potential risks and impacts arising from labor influx. Greater Monrovia is densely populated, and rehabilitation works are expected to be undertaken in densely populated communities. Increased vehicle use associated with transport of workers and construction materials and use of construction equipment may expose communities to increased traffic related incidents and accidents. The potential for labor influx is less likely because of the characteristics of the project areas. The project will be implemented mostly in urban areas where it is less difficult to find qualified local workers and thus minimizing the project’s need for incoming workers from other areas. In cases where additional workers may be required, the urban characteristics of the project would also allow them to mix more easily with the local population than in rural setting, however the Code of Conduct (CoC) for addressing GBV/SE issues will be signed and understood by the all contract workers and consultant staff members. The GBV service providers map for the project area shall be kept at the site. Jun 28, 2021 Page 8 of 12 The World Bank Monrovia Integrated Development Project (P169718) The project intends to provide support rehabilitation and new construction of sanitation and water supply systems. The overall impact of this intervention on affected communities is expected to be positive. However, poor planning, improper siting, and poor management of water and sanitation services may expose affected communities to unintended risks and impacts. For example, improperly sited public toilets may led to contamination of community water resources and expose communities to water-borne and water-related diseases. Poorly maintained and operated water systems may create standing and stagnant pool water that breeds disease-carrying vectors. These risks and impacts on community health and safety throughout the life cycle of the project, especially Component 1, will be explored in more detailed during the ESIA under ESS1. ESS5 Land Acquisition, Restrictions on Land Use and Involuntary Resettlement Neighborhood upgrading could include rehabilitation of underutilized or abandoned or other government properties as identified and suggested by the GoL The initial screening does not deny impacts on the people, land, buildings and properties and anticipate possibilities of resettlement of squatters and encroachers on unutilized / underutilized properties. In addition, small pieces of land may be required, if upgradation, rehabilitation and development of the underused or abandoned properties require changes under mandatory project design. Subsequently, these may result in affecting/displacing people and require to be compensated for their losses. The impacts, its quantity and locations shall only be identified after consultations with various Government Departments, Ministries, MCC and PCC and screening of the site. To manage displacement, if any, Resettlement Action Plan (RAP) / Abbreviated Resettlement Action Plan (ARAP) shall be prepared as and when required. As mentioned above, the Resettlement Public Disclosure Policy Framework (RPF) shall be prepared to spell out overall principles and objectives of ESS 5, preparation of RAP/ARAP and provide guidance on how to manage resettlement of squatters, encroachers, owners or potential restriction of access to land or properties. ESS6 Biodiversity Conservation and Sustainable Management of Living Natural Resources The screening of proposed MIDP activities indicate that no adverse impacts on biodiversity and living natural resources has been anticipated. The Mesurado Wetlands (6,760 hectares) are located in Monrovia and the site is particularly important for the protection of three mangrove species (Rhizophora harrisonii, R. mangle and Avicennia africana), which are threatened by intense charcoal burning and fuel wood collection. It provides a favorable habitat and feeding ground for several species of birds including the African spoonbill Platalea alba, Common Pratincole Glareola nuchaltis and Curlew Numenius arquata. It also hosts the vulnerable African dwarf crocodile, the Nile crocodile and the African sharp-nosed crocodile. The local biotic condition plays an important role in shoreline stabilization and sediment trapping. The wetlands are designated as a Ramsar site 1631 (https://rsis.ramsar.org/ris/1631). A large part of the exposure to flooding in Greater Monrovia relates to the unplanned clearance and settlement of low-lying wetlands (mangrove) which are at risk of flooding. Throughout the city patches of almost permanently wet ground (remnants of wetlands) remain, often only a few 10s of square meters, between houses. The larger areas of wetlands are formed by the tributaries of the Mesurado and Du-Junk rivers. Although these areas evidently have a high groundwater table many residents have settled there. Exposure, the assets and people at risk of flooding, mainly relate to the unplanned reclamation and settlement of low-lying wetlands (mangroves) which are prone to flooding. This is exacerbated by the lack of government capacity to prepare and enforce land use plans that would mitigate the exposure. Jun 28, 2021 Page 9 of 12 The World Bank Monrovia Integrated Development Project (P169718) The project seeks to improve planning and enforcement to minimize further flood risks by preventing the establishment of new settlements in wetland areas. Further, the project will seek (where possible) to create new, interconnected drainage systems that link traditional concrete drainage of roads with areas of existing wetlands and open water areas, creating sufficient temporary storage for storm water. Rehabilitation and other protection measures of wetlands to strengthen their natural capacity as water retention areas will be further detailed during project preparation. The proposed project work will initiate and cover sensitive area along the sea coast, so any interventions in this area shall be deeply screened, the anticipated risks or impacts shall be analyzed adopting mitigation hierarchy, and a mitigation and management plan shall be prepared, if required, then will implement with priority on maintaining local biotic system intact. ESS7 Indigenous Peoples/Sub-Saharan African Historically Underserved Traditional Local Communities No Indigenous Peoples/ Sub-Saharan African Historically Undeserved Traditional Local Communities has been identified in the project area of Greater Monrovia. ESS8 Cultural Heritage Project activities, especially under Component 1, are likely to involve excavations, demolition, movement of earth, or other changes in the physical environment. The specific sites for project civil work interventions have not been identified at this stage of the project. Once the intervention areas are identified, the project ESIA will identify project- Public Disclosure specific risks and impacts on cultural heritage. The project ESMF will include a generic chance finds procedure which will be upgraded into a detailed chance find procedure in the ESIA. This will also be incorporated in contractor’s environmental, social, health and safety management plan. ESS9 Financial Intermediaries As per information available in the PCN, No FI shall be involved in the project. B.3 Other Relevant Project Risks The project is likely to be implemented where COVID-19 pandemic situation may exist. Thus, there is a need for the project to be implemented under specific protocols. Physical / Social distancing has been implemented by the government though given the adverse impact on national economy, the government has opened offices, markets and malls, and public transport system urging everyone to follow COVID-19 protocols. If the pandemic exists may given further price hike of essentials, travel restriction, social tension in particular intra family, etc. In the emerged situations, training and skill development interventions need to be designed keeping WHO and Government guidelines in mind. In addition, construction and implementation of the project may also face challenges underCOVID-19 situation. C. Legal Operational Policies that Apply OP 7.50 Projects on International Waterways No Jun 28, 2021 Page 10 of 12 The World Bank Monrovia Integrated Development Project (P169718) OP 7.60 Projects in Disputed Areas No III. WORLD BANK ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL DUE DILIGENCE A. Is a common approach being considered? Yes Financing Partners French Development Agency (AFD) will provide co-financing in the amount US$9.6 million for neighborhood upgrading activities. The co-financing will be governed through the World Bank/AFD Co-financing Framework Agreement (CFA) B. Proposed Measures, Actions and Timing (Borrower’s commitments) Actions to be completed prior to Bank Board Approval: Actions to be completed prior to Appraisal: - Prepare and disclose Environmental & Social Management Frameworks (ESMF) – Before Appraisal; - Prepare and disclose Resettlement Policy Framework (RPF)- Before Appraisal; - Prepare and disclose Stakeholder Engagement Plan (SEP)- Before Appraisal; - Preparation and disclosure of Labor Management Procedure (LMP) as integrated into the ESMF- Before Public Disclosure Appraisal; - Prepare and disclose Draft Environmental and Social Commitment Plan (ESCP)- Before Appraisal. Possible issues to be addressed in the Borrower Environmental and Social Commitment Plan (ESCP): - Preparation of ESIA (including a detailed ESMP) prior to commencement of civil works - Preparation and implementation of RAP/ARAP (if required) prior to commencement of civil works - Implementation of SEP throughout the project - Develop and implement institutional capacity strengthening plan for ESS - Hiring one of each ---- social and environmental specialists in the PMU - Hiring one Gender Specialist with work experience in GBV risks management - Establish functional Grievance Redressal Committee (GRC) - Conducting Social Impact Assessment (SIA) C. Timing Tentative target date for preparing the Appraisal Stage ESRS 03-Jan-2022 IV. CONTACT POINTS World Bank Jun 28, 2021 Page 11 of 12 The World Bank Monrovia Integrated Development Project (P169718) Contact: Robert Curle Jesse Reid Title: Senior Disaster Risk Management Specialist Telephone No: 5241+4129 / 233-030-2214129 Email: rreid1@worldbank.org Contact: Linus Benedikt Pott Title: Land Administration Specialist Telephone No: 5241+36756 / 1-202-473-6756 Email: lpott@worldbank.org Borrower/Client/Recipient Borrower: Ministry of Finance and Development Planning Implementing Agency(ies) Implementing Agency: Ministry of Public Works V. 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 Public Disclosure VI. APPROVAL Task Team Leader(s): Robert Curle Jesse Reid, Linus Benedikt Pott Practice Manager (ENR/Social) Senait Nigiru Assefa Recommended on 28-Jun-2021 at 06:23:44 GMT-04:00 Safeguards Advisor ESSA Nathalie S. Munzberg (SAESSA) Cleared on 28-Jun-2021 at 07:02:26 GMT-04:00 Jun 28, 2021 Page 12 of 12