THE WORLD BANK - ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL COMMITMENT PLAN (ESCP) REPUBLIC OF LIBERIA MINISTRY OF HEALTH LIBERIA COVID-19 EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS AND RESPONSE PROJECT (P173812) ENVIRONMENTAL and SOCIAL COMMITMENT PLAN (ESCP) March 2020 1|Page THE WORLD BANK - ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL COMMITMENT PLAN (ESCP) ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL COMMITMENT PLAN 1. The Government of Liberia (the Recipient) will implement the LIBERIA COVID-19 Emergency Preparedness and Response Project (the Project), with the involvement of the following ministries/agencies/units: The Ministry of Health (MOH), working through the National Public Health Institute of Liberia (NPHIL). The International Development Association (the Association) has agreed to provide financing for the Project. 2. The Recipient will 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, agency or unit referenced 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 Association 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 World Bank Quarterly throughout the Project Ministry of Health, NPHIL regular monitoring reports on the environmental, social, health implementation period. and safety (ESHS) performance of the Project, including, but not limited to, stakeholder engagement activities and grievances log. ESS 1: ASSESSMENT AND MANAGEMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL RISKS AND IMPACTS 1.1 ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE: The Ministry of Health will utilize Ministry of Health, NPHIL the existing PIU for the REDISSE II project. The PIU has existing staff but in addition the Ministry will appoint The environmental and social two (2) dedicated environmental and social safeguard (E&S) safeguards officers will be hired by one officers in the PIU to ensure adequate risk identification, month after project Effectiveness Date. management and reporting. 3|Page THE WORLD BANK - ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL COMMITMENT PLAN (ESCP) 1.2 ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL ASSESSMENT/MANAGEMENT PLANS AND INSTRUMENTS/ CONTRACTORS a. Assess the environmental and social risks and impacts of a. The ESMF for the REDISSE II project Ministry of Health, NPHIL proposed Project activities, including to ensure that individuals shall be updated within one (1) or groups who, because of their particular circumstances, may month after the project be disadvantaged or vulnerable, have access to the Effectiveness Date. development benefits resulting from the Project, in accordance with ESSs and the Environmental and Social Management Framework (ESMF) of REDISSE II project to be updated for this Project. The updated ESMF will contain analysis of risks and mitigations pertaining to labor, GBV/SEA, use of security forces, land acquisition and impacts on vulnerable groups. The updated 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) to mitigate the identified risks. b. Prepare, disclose, adopt, and implement the ICWMP, updated b. Before carrying out of the relevant ESMF/ESMP and/or any other instruments, if required for the Project activities, and thereafter respective Project activities based on the assessment process, throughout the carrying out of such in accordance with the ESSs, the ESMF, the EHSGs, and other activities, if required by the ESMF relevant Good International Industry Practice (GIIP) including once available. the relevant part of COVID-19 Quarantine Guidelines and WHO COVID-19 biosafety guidelines in a manner acceptable to the Association. c. Incorporate the relevant aspects of this ESCP, including, inter alia, any environmental and social management plans or other c. Before launching the procurement instruments, ESS2 requirements, and any other required ESHS process for the relevant activities measures, into the ESHS specifications of the procurement and thereafter throughout the documents and contracts with contractors and supervising carrying out of such activities. firms. Thereafter ensure that the contractors and supervising firms comply with the ESHS specifications of their respective contracts. 4|Page THE WORLD BANK - ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL COMMITMENT PLAN (ESCP) MATERIAL MEASURES AND ACTIONS TIMEFRAME RESPONSIBLE ENTITY/AUTHORITY d. Update environmental and social management plans or other d. Throughout project implementation instruments based on updated guidance by WHO on COVID19. 1.3 EXCLUSIONS: Exclude the following type of activities as ineligible During the assessment process Ministry of Health, NPHIL for financing under the Project: conducted under action 1.2.a. above.  Activities that may cause long term, permanent and/or irreversible (e.g. loss of major natural habitat) adverse impacts  Activities that may have significant adverse social impacts and may give rise to significant social conflict  Activities that harm the rights of vulnerable people,  Activities that may have adverse impacts on cultural heritage  All the other excluded activities set out in the ESMF of the Project. ESS 2: LABOR AND WORKING CONDITIONS 2.1 Labor Management Procedures (LMP) will be prepared, disclosed, LMP shall be prepared and Ministry of Health, NPHIL adopted, and implemented consistent with ESS 2. The LMP shall incorporated in the ESMF within one be incorporated into the ESMF. month of the date of effectiveness. 2.2 The Project shall be carried out in accordance with the applicable Throughout Project implementation. Ministry of Health, NPHIL requirements of ESS2, in a manner acceptable to the Bank, including through, inter alia, implementing adequate occupational health and safety measures (including emergency preparedness and response measures), setting out grievance arrangements for Project workers, and incorporating labor requirements into the ESHS specifications of the procurement documents and contracts with contractors and supervising firms specifically on labor management, worker accommodations, grievance procedures and GBV/SEA policies. 5|Page THE WORLD BANK - ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL COMMITMENT PLAN (ESCP) MATERIAL MEASURES AND ACTIONS TIMEFRAME RESPONSIBLE ENTITY/AUTHORITY 2.3 The Recipient shall implement adequate occupational health and Throughout Project implementation. Ministry of Health, NPHIL safety measures (including emergency preparedness and response measures) in line with the ESMF and WHO guidelines on COVID19 in all facilities, including laboratories, quarantine and isolation centers, and screening posts. 2.4 The Recipient shall ensure a non-discriminatory, decent work Throughout Project implementation. Ministry of Health, NPHIL environment; including by ensuring that all health workers adhere to the WHO Code of Ethics and Professional conduct. 2.5 The Recipient shall establish a grievance hotline and assignment of Throughout Project implementation. Ministry of Health, NPHIL focal points to address these grievances within MOH. ESS 3: RESOURCE EFFICIENCY AND POLLUTION PREVENTION AND MANAGEMENT 3.1 Relevant aspects of this standard shall be considered, as needed, Throughout Project implementation. Ministry of Health, NPHIL 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 Relevant aspects of this standard shall be considered, as needed, Throughout Project implementation. Ministry of Health, NPHIL under action 1.2 above, including, inter alia, measures 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 sexual exploitation and abuse, and sexual harassment. 4.2 The Recipient will put measures in place to prevent or minimize Throughout project implementation Ministry of Health, NPHIL the spread of the infectious disease/COVID-19 to the community. 4.3 The Recipient will implement emergency preparedness measures Throughout project implementation Ministry of Health, NPHIL in case of laboratory accidents/ emergencies e.g. a fire response or natural phenomena event. 6|Page THE WORLD BANK - ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL COMMITMENT PLAN (ESCP) MATERIAL MEASURES AND ACTIONS TIMEFRAME RESPONSIBLE ENTITY/AUTHORITY 4.4 The Recipient will operate quarantine and isolation centers in line Throughout project implementation Ministry of Health, NPHIL with WHO guidelines on “Key considerations for repatriation and quarantine of travelers in relation to the outbreak of novel coronavirus 2019-nCoV� as well as the Africa CDC guideline on “Africa CDC Guidance for Assessment, Monitoring, and Movement Restrictions of People at Risk for COVID-19 in Africa�. 4.5 The Recipient will ensure the avoidance of any form of Sexual Throughout project implementation Ministry of Health, NPHIL Exploitation and Abuse by relying on the WHO Code of Ethics and Professional conduct for all workers in the quarantine facilities as well as the provision of gender-sensitive infrastructure such as segregated toilets and enough light in quarantine and isolation centers. 4.6 The Recipient will operate quarantine and isolation centers and Throughout project implementation Ministry of Health, NPHIL screening posts in a conflict-sensitive manner, avoiding any aggravation of local communal conflicts. 4.7 The Recipient will ensure that any security personnel operating for Throughout project implementation Ministry of Health, NPHIL quarantine and isolation centers and screening posts follow strict rules of engagement and avoid any escalation. ESS 5: LAND ACQUISITION, RESTRICTIONS ON LAND USE AND INVOLUNTARY RESETTLEMENT 5.1 Relevant aspects of this standard shall be considered, as needed, Throughout Project implementation. Ministry of Health, NPHIL under action 1.2 above. 5.2 All eventual construction is likely to be undertaken within existing Throughout Project implementation. Ministry of Health, NPHIL facilities which are encumbrance free. In the event of any need of land acquisition, restrictions on land use and involuntary resettlement, site specific abbreviated Resettlement Action Plans (RAP) or detailed RAPs will be prepared based on scale of displacement ESS 6: BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION AND SUSTAINABLE MANAGEMENT OF LIVING NATURAL RESOURCES 6.1 Relevant aspects of this standard shall be considered, as needed, Throughout Project implementation. Ministry of Health, NPHIL under action 1.2 above. 7|Page THE WORLD BANK - ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL COMMITMENT PLAN (ESCP) MATERIAL MEASURES AND ACTIONS TIMEFRAME RESPONSIBLE ENTITY/AUTHORITY ESS 7: INDIGENOUS PEOPLES/SUB-SAHARAN AFRICAN HISTORICALLY UNDERSERVED TRADITIONAL LOCAL COMMUNITIES 7.1 This standard is not considered relevant. The preliminary assessment suggests that there are no distinct social and cultural groups in the project area who exhibit characteristics akin to the criteria for indigenous or traditionally under-served communities as spelled out in the ESS7. ESS 8: CULTURAL HERITAGE 8.1 This standard is currently considered Not Relevant as the project Throughout Project implementation. Ministry of Health, NPHIL activities will not potentially have an impact on tangible and intangible cultural heritage. In the unlikely event of major construction or the movement of earth in connection with any project activities that have not yet been anticipated, a chance find procedure will be prepared and integrated into the ESMF for the project. ESS 9: FINANCIAL INTERMEDIARIES Not relevant. ESS 10: STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT AND INFORMATION DISCLOSURE 10.1 STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT PLAN AND INFORMATION A draft SEP has been prepared before Ministry of Health, NPHIL DISCLOSURE: Prepare, disclose, adopt, and implement a the Board date and will be updated and Stakeholder Engagement Plan (SEP) consistent with ESS10, and in disclosed by 1 month after the Effective line with WHO provisions “Risk communication and community Date. engagement (RCCE) readiness and response to the 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV)� (January 26, 2020) in a manner acceptable to the Association. 10.2 CASE MANAGEMENT. In line with the SEP, the Project will ensure Throughout Project implementation. Ministry of Health, NPHIL systematic case management, allowing communication between quarantined people and their relatives. 10.3 GRIEVANCE MECHANISM: Accessible grievance arrangements Throughout Project implementation. Ministry of Health, NPHIL shall be made publicly available to receive and facilitate resolution of concerns and grievances in relation to the Project, consistent with ESS10, in a manner acceptable to the Association. 8|Page THE WORLD BANK - ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL COMMITMENT PLAN (ESCP) MATERIAL MEASURES AND ACTIONS TIMEFRAME RESPONSIBLE ENTITY/AUTHORITY CAPACITY SUPPORT (TRAINING) Training topics for personnel involved in Project implementation Throughout Project implementation. Ministry of Health, NPHIL will include (not limited to):  COVID-19 Infection Prevention and Control Recommendations  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  OHS protocols  Emergency response Preparedness  Hazardous Waste Management  Stakeholder engagement and community engagement 9|Page