The World Bank AF-Niger Disaster Risk Management and Urban Development Project (P167352) Combined Project Information Documents / Integrated Safeguards Datasheet (PID/ISDS) Appraisal Stage | Date Prepared/Updated: 22-Mar-2019 | Report No: PIDISDSA26159 Page 1 of 18 The World Bank AF-Niger Disaster Risk Management and Urban Development Project (P167352) BASIC INFORMATION OPS_TABLE_BASIC_DATA A. Basic Project Data Country Project ID Project Name Parent Project ID (if any) Niger P167352 AF-Niger Disaster Risk P145268 Management and Urban Development Project Parent Project Name Region Estimated Appraisal Date Estimated Board Date Niger Disaster Risk Management AFRICA 26-Mar-2019 16-May-2019 and Urban Development Project Practice Area (Lead) Financing Instrument Borrower(s) Implementing Agency Social, Urban, Rural and Investment Project Cabinet du Premier Cabinet du Premier Resilience Global Practice Financing Ministre Ministre Proposed Development Objective(s) Parent The Project Development Objective (PDO) is to improve Niger’s resilience to natural hazards through selected disaster risk management interventions in targeted project sites and strengthening of Government's capacity to respond promptly and effectively to an eligible crisis or an emergency. Components Comp. 1: Flood Risk Management Investments Comp. 2: Capacity Building for Urban Development and Disaster Risk Management Comp. 3: Project Management Comp. 4: Contingency Component PROJECT FINANCING DATA (US$, Millions) SUMMARY -NewFin1 Total Project Cost 25.00 Total Financing 25.00 of which IBRD/IDA 25.00 Financing Gap 0.00 DETAILS -NewFinEnh1 World Bank Group Financing International Development Association (IDA) 25.00 Page 2 of 18 The World Bank AF-Niger Disaster Risk Management and Urban Development Project (P167352) IDA Credit 25.00 Environmental Assessment Category B-Partial Assessment Decision The review did authorize the team to appraise and negotiate B. Introduction and Context Original Project. Flooding events in 2012 led to critical damages to infrastructure and housing in cities, villages and fields. The main drivers identified as contributing to damages included: (i) vegetation and land degradation in upstream areas; (ii) under-designed and poorly maintained flood protection infrastructures (e.g. dikes giving way under water pressure; drains and outlets clogging); (iii) inadequate land use and urban planning, resulting in both legal and illegal settlements in high flood hazard zones; (iv) lack of early warning and emergency response capacities; and (v) fragmented institutional urban development arrangements. Subsequently the Government requested support from the World Bank to: (i) develop disaster risk management capacity (i.e. risk evaluation, planning, resilient building practices, early warning systems, emergency response); (ii) rehabilitate infrastructures and (iii) improve livelihoods in a context of increased resilience and sustainability. Activation of the Immediate Response Mechanism (IRM). Heavy summer rains beginning sometime in June and lasting until August caused the flooding induced by El Niño weather patterns, leaving more than 92,000 people displaced, according to estimates by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA). The regions of Agadez and Tahoua were the most affected by the floods. Due to the relief typology of these regions, large quantities of run-off water caused important damage to socio-economic infrastructure, especially those serving the agriculture and livestock sectors. The region of Agadez is the main source of potato supply in the country and accounts for 95 percent of the national production. The region of Tahoua is the main producer of onions and hosts a sizeable portion of the country's livestock. It is estimated that more than 85 percent of the population’s livelihood is related to agriculture and livestock in these particular regions, thus the urgent need to support the recovery of affected households in order to resume of their economic activities. In the regions of Agadez and Tahoua, according to data published by the Government of Niger, the event affected 110 villages (sites, settlements and agro-pastoral hamlets) for a total of 7,065 households and 53,943 people; 2,176 hectares of crops (969 fields and 2,554 gardens) and 41,597 heads of livestock were lost; 120 classrooms and 1,808 houses collapsed. This situation inevitably risked pushing a significant share of rural households below the poverty line. At the peak of the crisis and due to the country’s fiscal situation, the IRM was the only instrument available to the Bank to provide a rapid support for the drought response. At the time of activation, three projects had a Contingent Emergency Response Component (CERC); however only the PGRC-DU had uncommitted and undisbursed funds available, and therefore was selected to be the source of funding for the emergency response. Due to its design, as an emergency recovery operation, the Project was also in a good position to provide the technical support for the implementation of the emergency response plan and accommodate additional emergency recovery activities to the drought affected areas. Page 3 of 18 The World Bank AF-Niger Disaster Risk Management and Urban Development Project (P167352) On March 23, 2017, the Africa Regional Vice-President approved the request for activation of the IRM for an amount of US$13.5 million, on the basis that all conditions precedent for activation had been met. The IRM funds were reallocated within the original Credit No. 53400-NE to address the most urgent needs of agriculture recovery (US$ 8.3 million), livestock recapitalization (US$ 2.2 million), land protection and flood mitigation works (US$ 2.5 million), and technical studies to support interventions (US$0.5 million). C. Proposed Development Objective(s) Original PDO The Project Development Objective (PDO) is to improve Niger’s resilience to natural hazards through selected disaster risk management interventions in targeted project sites and strengthening of Government's capacity to respond promptly and effectively to an eligible crisis or an emergency. Current PDO The PDO remains the same. Key Results (i) Targeted flood protection and sustainable land and water management interventions contribution to increased resilience (percentage) (ii) Direct project beneficiaries (number), of which female beneficiaries (iii) Performance of the early warning and response system for natural rapid onset hazards (e.g. floods, strong winds, wild land fires) (number). D. Project Description The project, and its proposed new activities, directly contributes to the World Bank Country Partnership Framework for the period FY18-22 (CPF dated March 13, 2018) and addresses vulnerability reduction, which is a cross-theme that supports developmental objectives proposed in the CPF Focus Areas, particularly in rural productivity and incomes, human capital and social protection, as well as governance for jobs and growth. The CPF proposes a combination of investments, policy reforms and technical assistance to tackle the key underlying causes of vulnerability, including interventions in risk mitigation and adequate emergency response. (i) Scaling up emergency activities The heavy seasonal rainfall has caused flooding in several parts of Niger in August 2016. The regions of Agadez and Tahoua were the most affected by the floods. Due to the relief typology of these regions, large quantities of run-off water were drained causing important damages to socio-economic infrastructures, especially to agriculture and livestock. The Agadez region is the main source of potato supply in the country and accounts for 95% of the national production. Tahoua region is main producer of onion and has one of the country's most important livestock potentials. Estimations indicates that more than 85% of the population’s livelihood is related to agriculture and livestock. Therefore, the Government requested the activation of the IRM to support the recapitalization of affected households to ensure the resumption of their economic activities. Page 4 of 18 The World Bank AF-Niger Disaster Risk Management and Urban Development Project (P167352) On December 5, 2017, the GoN requested a follow-up to the initial IRM support and a series of scale-up recovery interventions in the regions of Agadez and Tahoua were proposed for a total of US$7.5 million to reduce vulnerability to floods (US$6.3 million for infrastructure rehabilitation and US$1.2 million for technical studies and project operational costs). These activities focus on land protection, flood management and sanitation interventions through reinforcement of waste management capacity. The regions of Agadez and Tahoua are exposed to several factors that contribute to their rising disaster risks. Apart from population growth, and deforestation, increasing soil erosion and land degradation in watersheds and upper catchment areas of river basins have seriously reduced the water absorption and infiltration capacity of the land, allowing water to flow torrentially with damaging results to urban settlements in the region. Silt loads have also increased significantly in river beds. Specifically, the increase in denuded and degraded land areas and widening of ravines are considered a major reason for the increase in flood risk. Additionally, disaster risk is exacerbated by inadequate planning, particularly with respect to population settlements along river banks, coupled with obsolete or inadequate infrastructure such as vulnerable protective dikes and lack of maintenance and waste management. Proposed activities to address this will be lodged in Component 1 – Flood risk mitigation, and will include, inter alia, protection of the banks of the Koris, construction of protective dykes, development and regulation of overflow pools and ponds, and support to sanitation management. (ii) New Information and Communication Technology (ICT) activities The PGRC-DU covers five regions among seven in the Niger, which puts the project in a unique position to spearhead a larger initiative that builds on successful pilot projects financed by the Bank projects and grants1 that included the collection of high-resolution imagery, community-based creation of detailed map, organization of applications challenges, and incubation of local ICT firms. The PGRC-DU can leverage these technologies for urban management and development in domains such as solid waste management, under the Niamey Nyala initiative, school demand, access to markets, revenue collection, land management, and other infrastructure and urban management activities. The proposed activities consist of the following four sub-components in the amount of US$4 million: a) High resolution imagery (US$0.9 million): this sub-component proposes the acquisition of high resolution imagery for the 6 major cities, covered by the PGRC-DU: Niamey, Dosso, Diffa, Tillabéri, Agadez, Tahoua using drones and microlight aircraft; and the development of a capacity building program for the national and local authorities. b) Urban infrastructure information development (US$1.5 million): based on the high-resolution imagery acquired, this sub-component will focus on training youth and community members on digital cartography to derive information for urban planning such as roads, buildings, illegal dumpsite, schools, hospitals, drainage network. The information will be published and shared as open map and data. These activities will be supported with the latest technologies in mapping. c) ICT solution development / App challenge (US$1.6 million): this sub-component will focus on: (i) the organization of an app challenge to select winning applications for urban management and support their implementation. The imagery, and geospatial data collected will be made available 1 http://blogs.worldbank.org/nasikiliza/understanding-niameys-flood-risk-through-open-source-mapping-drones-and-modeling Page 5 of 18 The World Bank AF-Niger Disaster Risk Management and Urban Development Project (P167352) to the participants, and specific ICT and coding trainings will be provided. (ii) supporting the incubation of winning applications in local start-ups, and collaboration with the public sector for its implementation. (iii) this will be achieved by establishing a “Cité de l’Innovation et de Technologie� which will provide the center for incubation and acceleration, a center for training and certifications, and a FabLab, and a thematic cluster on urban management with applications in mobility, solid waste management, planning, flood management and municipal services. 5. Proposed activities to address this will be lodged in Component 2 - Capacity Building for Urban Development and Disaster Risk Management. E. Implementation Institutional and Implementation Arrangements So far, the institutional arrangements for the implementation of the project have been satisfactory. In particular, the Steering Committee and the Implementation Unit are doing a good job. However, the regional implementation units have experienced some difficulties, mainly related to the unavailability of the Regional Directors of the Plan, who were to lead them. During the mid-term review, it was agreed to simplify these structures, limiting their role to coordinating and monitoring project activities in their respective region. The current arrangement will be maintained for the implementation of the additional financing. It will be reinforced by a representative of the PIU in each of the two newly covered regions (Tahoua and Agadez). Those representatives will work closely with local authorities. The new subcomponent related to ICT will be implemented with strong implication of the National Agency for New Technology (ANSI) and the covered municipality. . F. Project location and Salient physical characteristics relevant to the safeguard analysis (if known) The specific sites for infrastructure investments and their scope will be determined during project implementation based on the government’s detailed assessments of priority needs within the target regions in consultation with local population and authorities and detailed technical studies will follow. The project areas include Niamey, Dosso, Diffa and Tillaberi regions. G. Environmental and Social Safeguards Specialists on the Team Demba Balde, Social Specialist Emmanuel Ngollo, Environmental Specialist Hubert Maurice Waterinckx, Environmental Specialist Page 6 of 18 The World Bank AF-Niger Disaster Risk Management and Urban Development Project (P167352) SAFEGUARD POLICIES THAT MIGHT APPLY SAFEGUARD _TBL Safeguard Policies Triggered? Explanation (Optional) The project AF will finance activities related to drainage, irrigation and socio-economic priority infrastructures, particularly the rehabilitation/ construction of wells, boreholes and drinking supply systems, construction of latrines and health facilities, and rehabilitation/expansion of irrigation schemes and drainage infrastructure in several locations. As the sites and works are not yet finalized, an ESMF of the parent project has been updated, consulted Environmental Assessment OP/BP 4.01 Yes upon, and redisclosed both in-country on March 15, 2019 and at the Bank Website on March 18, 2019. The updated ESMF formulates standard methods and procedures, along with clear institutional arrangements for screening, review, approval, implementation and monitoring of sub-project- specific safeguards instruments (ESMPs, ESIAs and/or RAPs) as the needs may arise. These instruments will also be consulted upon and disclosed in-country and at Bank Website. Private sector activities during the implementation of this Additional Financing will be self-financed by Performance Standards for Private Sector the private sector, with IDA funds providing a capital No Activities OP/BP 4.03 subsidy. Operational activities (eg. provision of mobile services) will be entirely financed by the private sector. Due to the location of interventions in urban areas during the implementation of this AF, or in areas Natural Habitats OP/BP 4.04 No were infrastructure and/or productive activities were already in place, no negative impacts to critical or sensitive natural habitats are expected. No interventions are financed in forest areas, nor do Forests OP/BP 4.36 No they involve forests. With the losses experienced during the flood of 2016, IRM implementation in to remedy agricultural and pastoral recovery led to the procurement of pesticides. Further intensification of agricultural Pest Management OP 4.09 Yes production and productivity activities in the eligible areas may likely lead to an increased use of pesticides. The existing Pest Management Plan developed by the Government of Niger during the implementation of the parent project has been Page 7 of 18 The World Bank AF-Niger Disaster Risk Management and Urban Development Project (P167352) updated and then redisclosed in-country on March 15, 2019 and at the Bank Website on March 18, 2019. The Physical Cultural Resources Policy (OP 4.11) is triggered because Niger is viewed as a rich cultural heritage area. Though it is unknown at this time which sites may contain such resources, due to the lack of specifics on the locations, size, scale of planned investments under the project’s Additional Financing, it was judged prudent to use caution when implementing the productive investments, especially with the civil works for water retention, sanitation and drainage infrastructures. The updated ESMF addresses potential impacts and includes suggested mitigation measures. Dispositions taken for subsequent sub-project specific safeguards instruments during the parent project will entail ensuring that ESIAs/ESMPs consultants and contractors to be hired are able to do the due diligence or are teamed up with Physical Cultural Physical Cultural Resources OP/BP 4.11 Yes Resources (PCR) experts. They should ensure that impacts on PCR are assessed and mitigation measures associated to those impacts, including proper handling of chance finds are implemented in the design, in accordance with national policies. The Project team and implementers shall ensure that the proposed mitigation measures are derived from Projects and subproject specific ESIAs/ ESMPs, and more specifically: (i) have been discussed and agreed upon by concerned parties; (ii) include an assessment of the capacity to implement the measures; and (iii) are acceptable within the national regulatory and legal framework, including the country’s laws and regulations concerning cultural heritage and the antiquities. These and other dispositions related to PCR are discussed in the updated ESMF. There are no groups qualifies as Indigenous Peoples Indigenous Peoples OP/BP 4.10 No in the project area and in Niger. OP 4.12 is triggered due to the potential impacts related to civil works, which may lead to minor land acquisition, loss of assets and/or access to Involuntary Resettlement OP/BP 4.12 Yes resources. The existing Resettlement Policy Framework has been updated, consulted upon, approved by the Bank and redisclosed in-country on Page 8 of 18 The World Bank AF-Niger Disaster Risk Management and Urban Development Project (P167352) March 15, 2019 and at the Bank Website on March 18, 2019. RAPs or ARAPs will be prepared, consulted upon and disclosed when the need arises. The project will not finance the building of dams and is not supporting dam infrastructure. Subject to technical studies the project may finance local flood prevention structures that may temporarily retain Safety of Dams OP/BP 4.37 No excess water during peak volume events, but which do not pose dam safety issues. If built, such structures may affect water availability to downstream riparians. Two scenarios are at play. First, planned flood prevention infrastructure investments along the Niger River and its tributaries, under Component 2, may affect water flow into the Niger River, an international waterways servicing 9 riparian countries (Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Chad, Côte d’Ivoire, Guinea, Mali, Niger, and Nigeria). Second, the project plans to engage in the rehabilitation of existing dikes and renovation of water pumps along the Komadougou River in the Diffa region. With regard to the triggering of OP 7.50 on 'International Waterways', the Policy is triggered for both the proposed interventions on the Niger River Basin as well as the Komadougou River Basin. The Government has already notified (September 13, 2013) the riparian countries through the Niger Projects on International Waterways Basin Authority (NBA) and the Lake Chad Basin Yes OP/BP 7.50 Commission (LTwo scenarios were at play during the parent project. Flood prevention infrastructure investments were programmed and built along the Niger River and its tributaries, which were likely to affect water flow into the Niger River, international waterways servicing 9 riparian countries (Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Chad, Côte d’Ivoire, Guinea, Mali, Niger, and Nigeria). The second scenario, of rehabilitating the existing dikes and renovation of water pumps along the Komadougou River in the Diffa region is on hold and not likely to be undertaken under the AF. With regard to the triggering of OP 7.50 on “International Waterways�, the Policy was triggered, and the Government of Niger had notified (September 13, 2013) the riparian countries through the Niger Basin Authority (NBA) and the Lake Chad Basin Commission (LCBC) and Page 9 of 18 The World Bank AF-Niger Disaster Risk Management and Urban Development Project (P167352) obtained the NO from the two bodies. Though the AF activities are not linked to those of the parent project, hence will not affect the international waterways, the team found it necessary to prepare for a Memo to the RVP to Request for an Exception to the Riparian Notification Requirement for OP 7.50, because the activities of the parent project are still ongoing. CBC). The team is following up closely with both the NBA and the LCBC to expedite riparian response process. Once the response is received the team will prepare a Memo to the RVP taking into account NBA’s and LCBC’s feedback. OP 7.60 is not triggered as there are no known Projects in Disputed Areas OP/BP 7.60 No disputes over project area. KEY SAFEGUARD POLICY ISSUES AND THEIR MANAGEMENT OPS_SAFEGUARD_SUMMARY_TBL A. Summary of Key Safeguard Issues 1. Describe any safeguard issues and impacts associated with the proposed project. Identify and describe any potential large scale, significant and/or irreversible impacts: This proposed project is classified as an environmental category ‘B’ project since the anticipated impacts will be small in scale and site specific and therefore manageable to acceptable levels. Five safeguard policies triggered in the parent project are confirmed in the AF: (i) Environmental Assessment (OP/BP 4.01); (ii) Involuntary Resettlement (OP/BP 4.12); (iii) Pest Management (OP/BP 4.09); (iv) Physical Cultural Resources (OP/BP 4.11): and (v) Projects on International waterways (OP/BP 7.50). Since at this stage only the general locations where most works will be conducted are known, specific sites are yet to be determined. Accordingly, the following safeguard documents have been updated by the government and approved by the World Bank: (i) Environmental and Social Management Framework (ESMF); (ii) Pest Management Plan (PMP); and (iii) Resettlement Policy Framework (RPF). These documents have been consulted upon and disclosed publicly in-country and at the Bank website, respectively on March 15, 2019 and March 18, 2019. Once specific sites and corresponding impacts are identified, the Environmental and Social Impact Assessments (ESIAs), Environmental and Social Management Plans (ESMPs) and Resettlement Action Plans (RAPs) will be prepared as necessary before any infrastructure is put in place. Under component 1, the anticipated negative environmental and social impacts of the project would result mainly from civil works associated with rehabilitation of existing infrastructure. The consequence would be some disruption of livelihood activities, acquisition of land, use of pesticides and related public health and perhaps physical cultural impacts. OP 4.01 is triggered to account for and address these impacts. The Government has prepared an Environmental and Social Management Framework (ESMF). The ESMF provides guidance and measures, with the associated implementation arrangements, with clear roles and responsibilities, along with capacity strengthening measures for effective implementation and monitoring of the ESMF. It also provides cost outlays and a timetable for preventing and mitigating all these potential impacts. In particular, the ESMF provides steps for screening all Page 10 of 18 The World Bank AF-Niger Disaster Risk Management and Urban Development Project (P167352) subprojects, outlines procedures for preparing, reviewing, clearing, disclosing and monitoring subproject-specific ESIAs/ESMPs. As a condition of investment, it has been agreed that no civil works will commence, without proper compliance with the above procedures. A PMP has been updated, which provides sound institutional arrangements, along with clear roles and responsibilities for implementing and monitoring on pesticides-related impacts, in light of the potential intensification and diversification of agricultural production and productivity. OP 4.12 is triggered to cover civil works under component 1, which may require some land acquisition leading to possible relocation and economic displacement of PAPs and/or loss of assets. In case any land acquisition or compensation becomes necessary, the costs will be covered by the Borrower. The Borrower has prepared a Resettlement Policy Framework (RPF) with guidelines for completion of Resettlement Action Plans (RAP), as needed, in case any land acquisition, and/or restriction of access to resources should occur. The RPF includes the guidelines and procedures for compensation and/or resettlement in the event that future activities under the sub-projects should require land acquisition, involuntary resettlement or cause restriction of access to livelihoods or assets and resources. It contains (i) an assessment of the country regulatory and institutional framework for land acquisition and compensation; (ii) likely categories of affected assets and parties, as well as the scope of impacts; (iii) a gap analysis and a compensation framework consistent with OP 4.12 and the national legislation; (iv) measures to assist vulnerable groups; (v) a consultation framework to enable the participation of affected populations in the preparation of specific resettlement plans; (vi) an institutional framework to implement the resettlement policy framework; (vii) a grievance redress mechanism; and (viii) a monitoring and evaluation framework and budget. Even though infrastructure works will be performed, this will mostly be rehabilitation of existing infrastructure in areas where negative environmental and social impacts of the interventions are expected to be temporary and limited to the immediate area surrounding the respective construction sites thus not requiring a physical footprint in addition to the existing one. No civil works will take place without prior approval and disclosure of a RAP or ESIA/ESMP in the country and the Bank website. In addition, specific environmental and social clauses will be incorporated into relevant bidding documents and contracts to ensure compliance with the respective safeguard guidelines. Following the major adverse impacts of the 2012 floods, including severe damage to houses and livelihoods, the Government together with UN agencies took emergency measures to relocate people who had suffered from the floods to areas that were considered safer instead of continuing to shelter them in schools. As compensation for resettlement, these people received a plot of land at the resettlement site, and assistance with relocation. Various NGOs have assisted the population as well as the host communities by contributing social infrastructure such as a school, clinic/medicine dispensary, drinking water, and construction of permanent housing. There is no legacy issue with the resettlement, since it was conducted prior to and irrespective of the involvement of the Bank. However, it is anticipated that future project activities may take place near or within the resettlement site since locations are not known yet. This will help to assess how to best contribute to reducing their vulnerability and ensuring they are not adversely impacted by the project. This analysis is being done through a social assessment of the relocation program and the results will be used when deciding on specific locations for activities. 2. Describe any potential indirect and/or long term impacts due to anticipated future activities in the project area: The project is an environmental category B, which means that impacts are site-specific and manageable to an acceptable levels. It is not anticipated that any serious indirect or long term environmental or social impacts will be caused by the project. The project is expected to bring positive benefits to communities, and individuals as the risk of major losses due to flooding will be minimized. Women, in particular, are expected to benefit from this project Page 11 of 18 The World Bank AF-Niger Disaster Risk Management and Urban Development Project (P167352) because they are often among the vulnerable groups most affected by adverse natural and man-made adverse events. The project is expected to improve the food security status of households, by providing better protection against flooding of urban and rural areas, consequently reducing the risk of losing their livelihoods and assets. Other socio-economic and environmental benefits directly or indirectly related to project’s investments include the following specific positive impacts: • The realization of dikes, control structures and retention ponds allow better control of water runoff at both streams (Sirba and Goroubi ) at the level of runoff ( thus reducing flood risks). • In urban areas, the renovation of cobbled streets and rehabilitation of roads destroyed by floods will facilitate the free movement of goods and people and greatly reduce the stress of travel -related cuts routes. • The rehabilitation of watersheds and treatment koris (i.e., biological protection etc.) will not only significantly reduce water erosion, but also allow a gradual recovery and re-vegetation of degraded lands, thus resulting in reduced siltation of rivers and ponds. Potential project investment risks may include: • Construction/rehabilitation of storm water drainage infrastructures may pose some problems: risk of disruption of certain commercial and craft activities and destruction of property installed on the ROW. In the operational phase, the wrong choice or timing outlets could cause flooding downstream. Also, the lack of cleaning and maintenance of drainage channels can cause their transformation into real garbage dumps and waste of all kinds, even preventing the normal flow of runoff, which can cause flooding. These infrastructures can also be used as a receptacle of domestic wastewater or even illegal connection of septic tanks, if sustained awareness of the local population is not assured. • Construction of food control micro-dams on the Sirba and Goroubi may cause some negative effects on the aquatic environment, especially on the spawning grounds. In ecological terms, the risk relates to migration constraints of aquatic wildlife, if crossing structures are not developed. From public health standpoint, there is risk of development of vector borne diseases due to the permanence of water retention plans. • Increased use of fertilizers and pesticides, as a result of agricultural intensification and diversification, may cause: (i) Pollution of water and soil; (ii) public health risks due to (a) ineffective use of pesticides on the part of local agricultural producers and (b) the proliferation of waterborne diseases due stagnant water bodies or the presence of ineffective drainage system in agricultural perimeters. The safeguards instruments prepared under the project include ample provisions/measures to address all these potential risks. In addition, feasibility studies for the rehabilitation/construction of infrastructures will take into account design-related risks/impacts and provide mitigation measures commensurate to those impacts. 3. Describe any project alternatives (if relevant) considered to help avoid or minimize adverse impacts. Alternatives to reduce the disaster related risks are minimal, given the vulnerability of the population as demonstrated by the major losses suffered due to the recent floods, which in turn add to the high level of poverty and overall vulnerability in the country. Niger is likely to face further negative consequences of climate change, including changes in the intensity, duration, and frequency of droughts, floods and heat waves. During the feasibility studies, options to minimize negative environmental and social impacts related to anticipated project activities will be assessed. 4. Describe measures taken by the borrower to address safeguard policy issues. Provide an assessment of borrower Page 12 of 18 The World Bank AF-Niger Disaster Risk Management and Urban Development Project (P167352) capacity to plan and implement the measures described. The Government of Niger has previously successfully implemented Bank-financed projects for which Environmental and Social Impact Assessments (ESIAs), Environmental and Social Management Frameworks (ESMF), and Resettlement Action Plans (RAPs). Furthermore, training and capacity building on safeguards policies has been provided to the project management unit by Bank’s safeguards staff to ensure successful implementation and supervision of the safeguards instruments. Implementing agency of the project has recruited a safeguards expert for the project management unit to ensure proper implementation and supervision of environmental and social issues. More specifically: The project Steering Committee will bring together and ensure that all institutions involved have a role to play, according to a monitoring work plan and intervention timetable and deliverables. The Committee will decide on broad strategic directions for the implementation of the project and the implementing rules thereto. The Project Coordination Unit (PCU) will hire an Environmental and Social expert (SEA / PIU) who will coordinate the close monitoring of environmental and social aspects of project activities work of the Project and assure the interface with other actors involved in project safeguard function. The beneficiary communes and technical services, responsible for the implementation (i.e., DGGR, etc.)will designate Social and Environmental Focal Points, who will participate in the supervision of works. The Communes will also participate in awareness and sensitization campaigns, as well as in the establishment of claims and conflicts management commissions. The Bureau des Evaluations Environnementales et des Etudes d’Impacts (BEEEI), the National Environmental Agency (NEA), and its decentralized structures, will assure the external monitoring of the implementation of the of the ESMF, RPF and PMP, including ensuring and validating that the provisions of the ESMF and RPF, leading to further sub- projects environmental and social assessments, are followed (i.e., sub-projects categorization, review, clearance and monitoring of the sub-project-specific EIAs/EMPs and RAPs), on behalf of the Government. Overall project environmental and social safeguards compliance, with national laws and regulations and applicable World Bank operational policies and procedures, will be devolved to BEEEI. External safeguards monitoring of project activities, will also involve and benefit from technical backstopping of other institutions, such as: Ministry of Health, Ministry of Agriculture, Plant Protection etc. With this operation, the Project is not only building on many years of experience implementing Bank-funded projects, but also on lessons learned from implementation of those operations. This provides the Project Team and relevant actors a good framework for smooth implementation of safeguards measures. The safeguard instruments include further provisions for capacity strengthening at all levels for the successful implementation of the project safeguard measures, in compliance with national and World Bank safeguard policies, and implementation of the GRM. Support will also be provided by World Bank supervision teams. The supervision missions will always include the environmental and social safeguards specialists on the team. To ensure effective World Bank supervision, the Project Environmental and Social Unit will prepare and update detailed reports on the implementation of ESMF, RPF and PMP, as well as activity-specific EMPs and/or RAPs, whichever is applicable. Appropriate budget for supervision will be included in the Project financial evaluation. 5. Identify the key stakeholders and describe the mechanisms for consultation and disclosure on safeguard policies, with an emphasis on potentially affected people. Page 13 of 18 The World Bank AF-Niger Disaster Risk Management and Urban Development Project (P167352) The preparation of the safeguard documents (i.e., ESMF, RPF, and PMP) followed a broad-based and in-depth consultation approach that included interviews with relevant project stakeholder groups, including: the steering committee, local communities, mayors, potential project affected people, Ministry of Agriculture, the BEEEI etc, This consultation approach will be carried on throughout project implementation and supervision. The project will benefit the communities in four regions of the country, in both rural and urban areas. Throughout the development of the ESMF, PMP and RPF stakeholder consultations, including with flood affected communities in different regions, local and central level authorities have been undertaken. Key issues raised included information on environmental impacts, most effective ways to prevent future losses due to floods, and possible resettlement issues arising from potential land acquisition. OPS_SAFEGUARD_DISCLOSURE_TBL B. Disclosure Requirements (N.B. The sections below appear only if corresponding safeguard policy is triggered) OPS_EA_DISCLOSURE_TABLE Environmental Assessment/Audit/Management Plan/Other For category A projects, date of Date of receipt by the Bank Date of submission for disclosure distributing the Executive Summary of the EA to the Executive Directors 15-Mar-2019 18-Mar-2019 "In country" Disclosure Niger 15-Mar-2019 Comments OPS_RA_D ISCLOSURE_T ABLE Resettlement Action Plan/Framework/Policy Process Date of receipt by the Bank Date of submission for disclosure 15-Mar-2019 18-Mar-2019 "In country" Disclosure Niger 15-Mar-2019 Comments OPS_ PM_D ISCLOSURE_TA BLE Pest Management Plan Was the document disclosed prior to appraisal? Date of receipt by the Bank Date of submission for disclosure Page 14 of 18 The World Bank AF-Niger Disaster Risk Management and Urban Development Project (P167352) Yes 15-Mar-2019 18-Mar-2019 "In country" Disclosure Niger 15-Mar-2019 Comments OPS_PM_ PCR_TABLE If the project triggers the Pest Management and/or Physical Cultural Resources policies, the respective issues are to be addressed and disclosed as part of the Environmental Assessment/Audit/or EMP. If in-country disclosure of any of the above documents is not expected, please explain why: OPS_COMPLIANCE_INDICATOR_TBL C. Compliance Monitoring Indicators at the Corporate Level (to be filled in when the ISDS is finalized by the project decision meeting) (N.B. The sections below appear only if corresponding safeguard policy is triggered) OPS_EA_COMP_TABLE OP/BP/GP 4.01 - Environment Assessment Does the project require a stand-alone EA (including EMP) report? Yes If yes, then did the Regional Environment Unit or Practice Manager (PM) review and approve the EA report? Yes Are the cost and the accountabilities for the EMP incorporated in the credit/loan? Yes OPS_ PM_COM P_TA BLE OP 4.09 - Pest Management Does the EA adequately address the pest management issues? Yes Is a separate PMP required? Yes If yes, has the PMP been reviewed and approved by a safeguards specialist or PM? Are PMP requirements included in project design? If yes, does the project team include a Pest Management Specialist? Yes OPS_ PCR_COM P_TA BLE OP/BP 4.11 - Physical Cultural Resources Does the EA include adequate measures related to cultural property? Yes Does the credit/loan incorporate mechanisms to mitigate the potential adverse impacts on cultural property? Yes OPS_IR_ COMP_TA BLE Page 15 of 18 The World Bank AF-Niger Disaster Risk Management and Urban Development Project (P167352) OP/BP 4.12 - Involuntary Resettlement Has a resettlement plan/abbreviated plan/policy framework/process framework (as appropriate) been prepared? Yes If yes, then did the Regional unit responsible for safeguards or Practice Manager review the plan? Yes Is physical displacement/relocation expected? TBD Is economic displacement expected? (loss of assets or access to assets that leads to loss of income sources or other means of livelihoods) TBD OPS_ PIW_COMP_ TABLE OP 7.50 - Projects on International Waterways Have the other riparians been notified of the project? NA If the project falls under one of the exceptions to the notification requirement, has this been cleared with the Legal Department, and the memo to the RVP prepared and sent? NA Has the RVP approved such an exception? NA OPS_ PDI_ COMP_TA BLE The World Bank Policy on Disclosure of Information Have relevant safeguard policies documents been sent to the World Bank for disclosure? Yes Have relevant documents been disclosed in-country in a public place in a form and language that are understandable and accessible to project-affected groups and local NGOs? Yes Page 16 of 18 The World Bank AF-Niger Disaster Risk Management and Urban Development Project (P167352) OPS_ALL_COMP_TABLE All Safeguard Policies Have satisfactory calendar, budget and clear institutional responsibilities been prepared for the implementation of measures related to safeguard policies? Yes Have costs related to safeguard policy measures been included in the project cost? Yes Does the Monitoring and Evaluation system of the project include the monitoring of safeguard impacts and measures related to safeguard policies? Yes Have satisfactory implementation arrangements been agreed with the borrower and the same been adequately reflected in the project legal documents? Yes CONTACT POINT World Bank Sabine W. Beddies Sr Urban Spec. Brahim Ould Abdelwedoud Senior Urban Development Specialist Borrower/Client/Recipient Cabinet du Premier Ministre Implementing Agencies Cabinet du Premier Ministre Massaoudou Amadou Souley Coordonnateur Page 17 of 18 The World Bank AF-Niger Disaster Risk Management and Urban Development Project (P167352) 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 APPROVAL Sabine W. Beddies Task Team Leader(s): Brahim Ould Abdelwedoud Approved By Safeguards Advisor: Maman-Sani Issa 25-Mar-2019 Practice Manager/Manager: Sylvie Debomy 25-Mar-2019 Country Director: Michael Hamaide 26-Mar-2019 Note to Task Teams: End of system generated content, document is editable from here. Please delete this note when finalizing the document. Page 18 of 18