Kyrgyz Republic Emergency COVID-19 Project including Additional Financing (P173766 and P176054) [Draft] ENVIRONMENTAL and SOCIAL COMMITMENT PLAN (ESCP) [April 19, 2021] 1|Page ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL COMMITMENT PLAN 1. The Kyrgyz Republic (the Recipient) is implementing the Emergency COVID-19 Project and will implement the Additional Financing of the Emergency COVID-19 Project (the Project1), with the involvement of the following Ministries/agencies/units: Ministry of Health and Social Development (MOHSD), and the Ministry of Emergency Situations (MOES) and the Mandatory Health Insurance Fund (MHIF). The International Development Association (hereinafter 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 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 the 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 an assessment of Project performance conducted under the ESCP itself. In such circumstances, the Recipient 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. 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 As once the Additional Finance becomes effective, it becomes part of the Parent Project, “The Project� refers to the entire Kyrgyzstan Emergency COVID- 19 Project, including the Additional Financing. 2|Page MATERIAL MEASURES AND ACTIONS TIMEFRAME RESPONSIBLE ENTITY/AUTHORITY MONITORING AND REPORTING A REGULAR REPORTING: Prepare and submit to the Association regular monitoring Quarterly throughout Project MOHSD reports on the environmental, social, health and safety (ESHS) performance of Implementation 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: Ministry of Emergency Situations (MOES) shall The PIU staff should be maintained MOES, MOES PIU maintain the PIU with qualified staff and resources to support the management throughout Project implementation. of ESHS risks and impacts of the Project, including Environmental Risk Medical Waste Management and Management, Social Risk Management Specialists. Occupational Health and Safety Specialists are to be onboard within one In addition, Medical Waste Management, and Occupational Health and Safety month of the AF Effectiveness. Specialists are to be hired and maintained throughout project implementation. 1.2 ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL ASSESSMENT/MANAGEMENT PLANS 1.The ESMF is to be updated, MOHSD, MOES PIU AND INSTRUMENTS/ CONTRACTORS redisclosed and consulted upon no later than the Effective Date of AF. Assess the environmental and social risks and impacts of proposed Project 2.Screening under the ESMF shall activities in accordance with ESS1 and the Environmental and Social continue to be conducted before the Management Framework (ESMF) prepared for the Project and to be updated for carrying out of the respective Project the Additional Financing. The updated ESMF will include templates for the activities. following site-specific instruments: -- Environmental and Social Management Plans (ESMP), -- Infection Control and Medical Waste Management Plans (ICWMP), and -- -- Vaccine Delivery and Distribution Manual (including necessary medical waste management, vaccine cold storage temperature monitoring plan). The updated ESMF shall be prepared, disclosed, consulted upon and adopted and thereafter implemented. Assessment includes ensuring 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. 3|Page MATERIAL MEASURES AND ACTIONS TIMEFRAME RESPONSIBLE ENTITY/AUTHORITY 1.2.1 Prepare, disclose, consult upon, adopt, and implement any ESMPs or instruments acceptable to MOHSD, MOES PIU environmental and social management plans (ESMPs), instruments, or the Association, shall be consulted other plans required for the respective Project activities as per the upon and disclosed before beginning screening process, in accordance with the ESSs, the updated ESMF, in a any rehabilitation works, and manner acceptable to the Association, and other good international thereafter implemented throughout industry practice (GIIP) including relevant WHO guidelines to, inter alia, the implementation of such activities. 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 particular circumstances, may be disadvantaged or vulnerable [including as relevant with regard to vaccines]. 1.2.2 Prepare, disclose, consult upon, adopt, and implement site-specific ICWMPs, shall be consulted upon and MOHSD, MOES PIU Infection Control and Medical Waste Management Plans (ICWMPs) for disclosed before beginning any Project each healthcare facility where Project activities are being undertaken. activities that might result in any medical waste and thereafter implemented throughout Project implementation. 1.2.3 Incorporate the relevant aspects of the ESMPs and ICWMPs, including, Before launching the procurement MOHSD, MOES PIU inter alia, any environmental and social management plans or other process for the relevant Project instruments, ESS2 requirements, and any other required ESHS activities and thereafter ensure that measures, into the ESHS specifications of the procurement contractors and supervising firms documents and contracts with contractors. All contracts, including civil comply with the ESHS specifications in works and vaccine transportation contracts, shall include industry- their contracts throughout their standard Codes of Conduct that include measures to prevent Sexual involvement in the respective Project Exploitation and Abuse /Sexual Harassment (SEA/SH). activities. 1.2.4 Adopt procedures, protocols, and/or other measures to ensure Not later than the Effective Date. voluntary consent of Project beneficiaries that receive vaccines under the Project as set forth in the updated ESMF. 4|Page MATERIAL MEASURES AND ACTIONS TIMEFRAME RESPONSIBLE ENTITY/AUTHORITY 1.3 EXCLUSIONS: Exclude the following type of activities as ineligible for During the assessment process conducted MOHSD, MOES PIU financing under the Project: under action 1.2.a. above. • Causing long term, permanent, or irreversible environmental or social impacts; • With a high probability of causing serious adverse effects to human health and/or the environment not related to COVID-19 treatment; • With significant adverse social impacts/ which may give rise to significant social conflict; • That may affect lands or rights of vulnerable minorities; • That may involve resettlement, land acquisition, or adverse impacts on cultural heritage; • Any other exclusions detailed in the ESMF. ESS 2: LABOR AND WORKING CONDITIONS 2.1 LABOR MANAGEMENT: The Project shall be carried out in accordance Throughout Project implementation. MOHSD, MOES PIU with the applicable requirements of ESS2 and the Labor Management Procedures (LMP) adopted for the parent project, 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, ensuring that the GM is equipped or adapted to address SEA/SH allegations, and incorporating labor requirements, standard Codes of Conduct to prevent Sexual Exploitation and Abuse and Sexual Harassment (SEA/SH) into the ESHS specifications of the procurement documents and contracts with contractors and supervising firms. 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 for MOHSD, MOES PIU action 1.2 above, including, inter alia, measures to manage health care individual healthcare facilities within wastes and other types of hazardous and non-hazardous wastes as forty-five days of their being identified. stated in the site specific ICWMPs. 3.2 Relevant measures on carrying out the purchase, storage, Throughout AF Project implementation MOHSD, MOES PIU transportation, and handling of vaccines (including cold chain management) in a safe manner and in accordance with the EHSGs and other relevant GIIP including relevant WHO guidelines and adequately manage and dispose of healthcare waste (including vaccines). ESS 4: COMMUNITY HEALTH AND SAFETY 5|Page MATERIAL MEASURES AND ACTIONS TIMEFRAME RESPONSIBLE ENTITY/AUTHORITY 4.1 Relevant aspects of this standard shall be considered, as needed, under Throughout Project implementation. MOHSD, MOES PIU 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. 6|Page 4.2 USE OF MILITARY OR SECURITY PERSONNEL: While the use of security From the moment the security forces MOHSD, MOES PIU forces is not anticipated, in the event that they do need to be deployed, deployment is planned till the end of the the following measures shall be adopted to ensure that the Project implementation. engagement of security personnel in the implementation of Project activities for provision of security to Project workers, sites and/or assets, is 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, including a stand-alone Security Management Plan, 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 or military personnel; b. Adopt and enforce standards, protocols, and codes of conduct for the selection and use of security or military 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 MOHSD enters into a memorandum of understanding (MoU), with the line ministry in control of security forces and relevant Security Unit, setting out the arrangements for the engagement of the security personnel under the Project, including compliance with the relevant requirements of this ESCP; d. Ensure that such personnel is adequately instructed and trained, prior to deployment and on a regular basis, on the use of force and appropriate conduct (including in relation to civilian-military engagement, SEA and SH, and other relevant areas), as set out in the ESMF, Security Management Plan, MoU; e. 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; f. 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 Association no later than 15 days after being 7|Page MATERIAL MEASURES AND ACTIONS TIMEFRAME RESPONSIBLE ENTITY/AUTHORITY received; and Where the Association shall require, after consultation with the Recipient: (i) promptly appoint a third- party monitor consultant, with terms of reference, qualifications and experience satisfactory to the Association, to visit and monitor the Project area where security personnel are deployed, collect relevant data and communicate with Project stakeholders and beneficiaries; (ii) require the third-party monitor consultant to prepare and submit monitoring reports, which shall be promptly made available to and discussed with the Association; and (iii) promptly take any actions, as may be requested by the Association upon its review of the third-party monitor consultant reports. 4.3 Data Privacy: Develop Protocols for ensuring appropriate and Update the POM or Vaccine Manual, no MOHSD, MOES PIU adequate safeguards to ensure data privacy as elaborated in ESS 4. later than 30 days after effectiveness date, to include a section on Data Privacy. The Pom or Vaccine Manual would remain in place throughout the Project cycle. ESS 5: LAND ACQUISITION, RESTRICTIONS ON LAND USE AND INVOLUNTARY RESETTLEMENT Relevant aspects of this standard shall be considered, as needed, under action 1.2 above. ESS 6: BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION AND SUSTAINABLE MANAGEMENT OF LIVING NATURAL RESOURCES Not considered currently relevant. ESS 7: INDIGENOUS PEOPLES/SUB-SAHARAN AFRICAN HISTORICALLY UNDERSERVED TRADITIONAL LOCAL COMMUNITIES Not relevant. ESS 8: CULTURAL HERITAGE Not considered currently relevant. ESS 9: FINANCIAL INTERMEDIARIES Not relevant. ESS 10: STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT AND INFORMATION DISCLOSURE 8|Page MATERIAL MEASURES AND ACTIONS TIMEFRAME RESPONSIBLE ENTITY/AUTHORITY 10.1 STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT PLAN Update, consult upon and A draft SEP was already prepared and MOHSD, MOES PIU redisclose the SEP, acceptable to the Association, to incorporate the disclosed and shall be updated no later AF project activities. than 30 days following the Effectiveness Date. SEP is to be implemented throughout Implement the SEP consistent with ESS10 in a manner acceptable to the Project implementation Association. If necessary, make updates to the SEP during project implementation. 10.2 GRIEVANCE MECHANISM: Accessible grievance arrangements Throughout Project implementation. MOHSD, MOES PIU shall be made publicly available to receive and facilitate resolution of concerns and grievances in relation to the Project activities, consistent with ESS10, in a manner acceptable to the Association. The grievance mechanism shall also receive, register, and address concerns and grievances related to 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) PMU and other relevant implementing staff and contractors Initial training must be completed no later MOHSD, MOES PIU responsible for the Project to receive training on: than 30 days after the Effectiveness Date, • COVID-19 Infection Prevention and Control Recommendations and subsequent training are carried out • Laboratory biosafety guidance related to the COVID-19 as new Project team members join • Specimen collection and shipment throughout project implementation • Standard precautions for COVID-19 patients • Risk communication and community engagement • WHO guidelines on quarantine and Tajikistan Sanitary Regulations and Norms • Projects ESHS plans and instruments • Medical Waste Management and Disposal • SEA/SH prevention • Use of security personnel during Covid pandemic situation, including vaccine distribution stage • Fair, equitable, and inclusive access and allocation of Project • Adverse Events After Vaccination (AEFI) with the WHO support 9|Page