MINISTRY OF HEALTH ENVIRONMENTAL and SOCIAL COMMITMENT PLAN (ESCP) for the Uganda COVID-19 Response and Public Health Emergencies Systems Strengthening Project April 2020 Page left blank intentionally ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL COMMITMENT PLAN 1. The Republic of Uganda hereinafter the Recipient through Ministry of Health will implement the Uganda COVID-19 Response and Public Health Emergencies Systems Strengthening Project (the Project) financed by the International Development Association (hereinafter the Association). 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 their timing. 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 referenced in 1. above. 4. Implementation of the material measures and actions set out in this ESCP will be monitored and reported to the Association by the Recipient as required by the ESCP and the conditions of the legal agreement, and the Association will monitor and assess progress and completion of the material measures and actions throughout implementation of the Project. 5. As agreed by the Association 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 through its delegated representatives will agree to the changes with the Association 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. Thereafter 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. 1|Page MATERIAL MEASURES AND ACTIONS TIMEFRAME RESPONSIBLE ENTITY MONITORING AND REPORTING A REGULAR REPORTING: Prepare and submit to the Association regular monitoring Quarterly throughout the Project implementation Ministry of Health reports on the environmental, social, health and safety (ESHS) performance of the period Project, including but not limited to, stakeholder engagement activities and grievances log. B International Alignment. MoH will review the Project’s implementation, monitoring, Reporting quarterly throughout the Project Ministry of Health and reporting on environmental and social matters under the Project in line with implementation period. updated WHO updated guidance on COVID-19. ESS 1: ASSESSMENT AND MANAGEMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL RISKS AND IMPACTS 1.1 ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE: MoH shall maintain a Project Implementation Full PIU established within 30 days after the Effective Ministry of Health Unit (PIU) with qualified staff and resources to support management of ESHS risks Date of the Financing Agreement and maintained and impacts of the Project including qualified environmental (at least one) and social throughout Project implementation. (at least one) risk management specialists. 2|Page MATERIAL MEASURES AND ACTIONS TIMEFRAME RESPONSIBLE ENTITY 1.2 ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL ASSESSMENT/MANAGEMENT PLANS AND Ministry of Health INSTRUMENTS/ CONTRACTORS a. Prepare, disclose and adopt the Environmental and Social Management a. The ESMF shall be prepared, disclosed and Framework (ESMF). The ESMF will include a template for Infection Control and adopted within one (1) month after the Effective Waste Management Plan (ICWMP) based on the existing ICWMP as well as a Date. Until the ESMF is approved, the Project will template for Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMP) as necessary apply the ESMF developed for the Uganda for isolation centers construction. Reproductive Maternal and Child Health Services Improvement Project (URMCHIP) b. Assess environmental and social risks and impacts of the proposed Project project as well as WHO guidelines on COVID-19 activities - including ensuring that individuals or groups who, because of their response in a manner consistent with the ESSs. particular circumstances, may be disadvantaged or vulnerable, have access to the development benefits resulting from the Project - in accordance with ESSs and the ESMF. b. Assessment shall be conducted before the c. Prepare, publicly consult (as feasible and safe, following national guidelines for carrying out of relevant Project activities. meetings during COVID-19 lockdown), disclose, adopt, and implement Infection Control and Waste Management Plans, Environmental and Social Management Plans and/or other instruments, if required for the respective Project activities based on the screening and assessment process, in accordance with the ESSs, c. Before carrying out relevant Project activities, the ESMF, the EHSGs and other relevant Good International Industry Practice and thereafter throughout implementation of such (GIIP) including relevant WHO guidelines related to COVID-19, in a manner activities. acceptable to the Association. d. Incorporate relevant aspects of this ESCP, including any Environmental and d. Before launching the procurement process for Social Management Plans or other instruments, ESS2 requirements, and any the relevant Project activities and thereafter other required ESHS measures, into the ESHS specifications of the throughout the carrying out of such activities. procurement documents and contracts with contractors and supervising firms. Thereafter ensure that all contractors and supervising firms comply with ESHS requirements of their respective contracts. e. Throughout Project implementation e. Update Environmental and Social Management Plans, and Infection Control and Waste Management Plans or other instruments based on guidance by WHO on COVID19. f. Before CERC OM is finalized (June 2020), and f. Include relevant E&S provisions into an Operating Manual for the CERC thereafter ensure the application of its provisions component, and apply such provisions to the implementation of the CERC in the activation and implementation of the CERC component component. 3|Page 4|Page MATERIAL MEASURES AND ACTIONS TIMEFRAME RESPONSIBLE ENTITY/AUTHORITY 1.3 EXCLUSIONS: Exclude the following types of activities as ineligible for During the assessment process conducted Ministry of Health financing under the Project: under action 1.2.a. above.  Laboratory activities that may require BSL3 lab facilities  Activities that may cause long-term, permanent and/or irreversible adverse (e.g. loss of major natural habitat) impacts  Activities that have high probability of causing serious adverse effects to human health and/or the environment not related to treatment of COVID-19 cases  Activities that may adverse social impacts and may give rise to significant social conflict  Activities which would require Free Prior Informed Consent.  Activities that may affect lands or rights of other vulnerable and marginalized minorities (Iks and Batwas),  Activities that may involve any resettlement or land acquisition/use restriction� (i.e. including temporary), or adverse impacts on cultural heritage  All the other excluded activities set out in the ESMF of the Project. ESS 2: LABOR AND WORKING CONDITIONS 5|Page MATERIAL MEASURES AND ACTIONS TIMEFRAME RESPONSIBLE ENTITY/AUTHORITY 2.1 LABOR MANAGEMENT: The Project shall be carried out in accordance Throughout Project implementation. Ministry of Health with applicable requirements of ESS2, in a manner acceptable to the Association, 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. The Recipient shall adopt and implement Labor Management Procedures incorporating the relevant requirements of ESS2. ESS 3: RESOURCE EFFICIENCY AND POLLUTION PREVENTION AND MANAGEMENT 3.1 Relevant aspects of this standard shall be considered, as needed, under Throughout Project implementation. Ministry of Health action 1.2 above, including, inter alia, measures to: manage healthcare waste, and other types of hazardous and non-hazardous wastes. Use of resources (water, air, etc.) should follow relevant WHO environmental infections control guidelines for medical facilities, consistent with ESS3 and the EHSGs. ESS 4: COMMUNITY HEALTH AND SAFETY 4.1 Relevant aspects of this standard shall be considered, as needed, under Throughout Project implementation. Ministry of Health 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. ESS 5: LAND ACQUISITION, RESTRICTIONS ON LAND USE AND INVOLUNTARY RESETTLEMENT 6|Page MATERIAL MEASURES AND ACTIONS TIMEFRAME RESPONSIBLE ENTITY/AUTHORITY 5.1 All project-related construction will be undertaken within existing facilities Throughout Project implementation. Ministry of Health and thus at this point ESS5 is not considered relevant. In case land acquisition/use restriction or involuntary resettlement would be necessary, plans will be developed and implemented in accordance with ESS5 to the satisfaction of the Association prior to commencement of any land acquisition/use restriction and displacement. ESS 6: BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION AND SUSTAINABLE MANAGEMENT OF LIVING NATURAL RESOURCES Relevant aspects of this standard shall be considered, as needed, under Throughout Project implementation. Ministry of Health action 1.2 above. ESS 7: INDIGENOUS PEOPLES/SUB-SAHARAN AFRICAN HISTORICALLY UNDERSERVED TRADITIONAL LOCAL COMMUNITIES (SSAHUTLC) 7.1 Relevant aspects of this standard shall be considered, as needed, under Throughout Project implementation. Ministry of Health action 1.2 above. 7.2 The Recipient will ensure that SSAHUTLC communities are appropriately Throughout Project implementation. Ministry of Health informed and can share in the benefits of the Project in an inclusive and culturally appropriate manner (i.e. prevention and treatment) with provisions included in the SEP, in accordance with ESS7. 7.3 In case SSAHUTLC communities would be affected by quarantine Throughout Project implementation. Ministry of Health provisions, site-specific approaches would be prepared to ensure adequate consideration of their specific cultural needs in accordance with ESS7, to the satisfaction of the Association. ESS 8: CULTURAL HERITAGE Relevant aspects of this standard shall be considered, as needed, under Throughout Project implementation. Ministry of Health action 1.2 above. ESS 9: FINANCIAL INTERMEDIARIES Not relevant to this project ESS 10: STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT AND INFORMATION DISCLOSURE 7|Page MATERIAL MEASURES AND ACTIONS TIMEFRAME RESPONSIBLE ENTITY/AUTHORITY 10.1 STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT PLAN: Prepare, disclose, update and A draft SEP was already prepared and Ministry of Health implement, a Stakeholder Engagement Plan (SEP) consistent with ESS10, disclosed and shall be updated within 1 in a manner acceptable to the Association. month after Effective Date. SEP to be updated, as necessary, and implemented throughout Project implementation. 10.5 GRIEVANCE MECHANISM: Accessible grievance arrangements shall be Throughout Project implementation. Ministry of Health 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. CAPACITY SUPPORT (TRAINING) Training topics for personnel involved in the implementation of the Project Throughout Project implementation. Ministry of Health will, among others, include:  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  Security management plan  Risk communication and community engagement  Management of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (SEA) and Sexual Harassment (SH)  Grievance redress mechanisms  WHO and Africa CDC guidelines on quarantine including case- management  Infection Control and Waste Management Plan (ICWMP) 8|Page