The World Bank Decentralization and Productive Intermediate Cities Support Project (P169332) Appraisal Environmental and Social Review Summary Appraisal Stage (ESRS Appraisal Stage) Public Disclosure Date Prepared/Updated: 01/20/2020 | Report No: ESRSA00412 Jan 20, 2020 Page 1 of 10 The World Bank Decentralization and Productive Intermediate Cities Support Project (P169332) BASIC INFORMATION A. Basic Project Data Country Region Project ID Parent Project ID (if any) Mauritania AFRICA P169332 Project Name Decentralization and Productive Intermediate Cities Support Project Practice Area (Lead) Financing Instrument Estimated Appraisal Date Estimated Board Date Urban, Resilience and Investment Project 1/20/2020 3/19/2020 Land Financing Borrower(s) Implementing Agency(ies) Islamic Republic of Ministry of Economy and Mauritania Industry Proposed Development Objective(s) The development objectives of this operation are to (i) improve access to local services in selected localities; and (ii) Public Disclosure strengthen the capacity of Local Governments to plan and manage public services Financing (in USD Million) Amount Total Project Cost 65.00 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] This project will support the development of intermediate cities and immediate rural areas of Mauritania. D. Environmental and Social Overview D.1. Project location(s) and salient characteristics relevant to the ES assessment [geographic, environmental, social] he project will be implemented in the 7 wilayas (Trarza, Brakna, Gorgol, Assaba, Guidimakha, Hodh el Gharbi and Hodh Ech Chargui). These areas are near to the Senegalese and Malian frontiers. A preliminary list of 7 towns have been established in consultation with the GoM based on their potential to extend their benefits to a broader territory Jan 20, 2020 Page 2 of 10 The World Bank Decentralization and Productive Intermediate Cities Support Project (P169332) and population. For that reason, the South of Mauritania, where more than a third of the urban population live and where the poverty rates remain the highest, was preferred. This preliminary list includes 4 intermediate cities, spread across the territory. Rosso, in the West, and Kiffa in the center, are by far the most dynamic ones. Selibaby at the central South and Aioun at the East will complement a good coverage of this large territory. Three voluntary resettlement centers (Evajar and Nbeikhat Lahwach) are considered because of their relatively large size and will be used to test a national policy aimed at delivering more effectively services to the population. In addition, the project will invest in the Mbera refugee Camp. D. 2. Borrower’s Institutional Capacity A central project implementation unit will be created within the Ministry of Economy and Industry. This central PIU will coordinate among the various project implementers to oversee overall implementation and ensure compliance with Bank procedure. It is expected that the central project implementation unit will directly manage the following: (a) Disbursement of project proceeds, (b) Financial reporting, (c) Financial Audits, (d) Environmental and Social risks, (e) Reporting, and M&E. Sub-PIUs will be created to implement relevant project components in order to facilitate coordination with other initiatives and projects and to facilitate project execution and quality results. Component 2 will be executed by a Sub- PIU at the Ministry of Interior in charge of Decentralization within the same unit in charge of the AFD-funded DECLIC 1 & 2 projects, in coordination with other key Ministries, including the Ministry of Urban Planning, where a focal point will be in charge of urban planning and land related activities. The central PIU will ensure the coordination of Sub- component 1.1, overseeing the proper creation and operation of the commissions in charge of reviewing investment eligibility and selection, and facilitating some cross-town activities whenever needed. Local governments will be Public Disclosure responsible for investment project preparation and implementation, with the technical support of two local PIUs. Those local PIUs will be transferred to future local technical services after the reforms supported under Component 2 are be adopted. The sub-component 1.2 will be implemented by SOMELEC through a sub-PIU. The sub-PIU will be seated within the Project Execution Department (DEP) of SOMELEC and will report to the Director of DEP, who ultimately will be responsible for the fiduciary and safeguards aspects of the component. The same PIU will be overseeing the implementation of the AFD-funded RIMDIR project and will benefit for the oversight of the RIMDIR Project Steering Committee. SOMELEC has no experience with World Bank-financed projects. The sub-PIU will be staffed to ensure that project technical, environmental, social and fiduciary responsibilities are adequately fulfilled. Experienced project consultants could be recruited to assist SOMELEC with project implementation in key areas such as procurement, and financial management and environmental and social safeguards. In addition, an experienced project design and supervision consultant (Owner’s Engineer) will be recruited by the project to assist with project implementation and will report directly to SOMELEC’s coordinator. The sub-PIU will benefit from support of the Central PIU for reporting, audits and M&E. The weak capacity of the Local governments in environmental and social management, including monitoring and reporting, combined with the lack of experience of the SOMELEC on projects financed by the Bank, require measures to ensure adequate preparation and implementation of site specific environmental and social instruments. The ESMF includes an institutional capacity assessment and recommends strengthening measures for environmental and social planning and monitoring of project activities. Jan 20, 2020 Page 3 of 10 The World Bank Decentralization and Productive Intermediate Cities Support Project (P169332) II. SUMMARY OF ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL (ES) RISKS AND IMPACTS A. Environmental and Social Risk Classification (ESRC) Substantial Environmental Risk Rating Substantial The environment risk rating remains substantial at this stage of project. Weak capacity of the municipalities in environmental and social management, including monitoring and reporting, combined with the lack of experience of the SOMELEC on projects financed by the Bank, will be a challenge for these stakeholders to adequately fulfilled their responsibilities. The potential negative environmental impacts and risks of the proposed project are associated with (i) the implementation of Component 1, which is designed to support various construction activities, including construction of access road, drainage systems, and management of solid waste of communal or inter-municipal infrastructures , (ii) the preparation of development plans and reforms which can further induce some effects that entail environmental and social concerns, (iii) the provision of the Contingency Emergency Response Component. Social Risk Rating Substantial On the social side the project could have social impacts and the anticipated impacts (acquisition of land/ land take needs for civil works under component 1 and the CERC under component 4), working conditions (including labor influx as some Wilayas are near to Mali and Senegal frontiers), and potential impacts on local community and vulnerable groups including fragmentation/fragility risks arising from inadequate economic opportunities in a Public Disclosure changing urban environment, limited opportunities for civil society feedback and engagement, and lack of inclusive service delivery and participation. . There may be social risks stemming from the HR adjustment planning, as well as from the development planning under component 2. The project will be in the urban/peri-urban areas and the preliminary GBV risks assessment rating is moderate. However, the project will include in the ESIA the GBV Risk assessment and an action will be included in the ESMP. 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: The potential negative environmental and social impacts and risks of the proposed project are associated with the implementation of Component 1, which is designed to support various construction activities of communal or inter- municipal infrastructures. These may include urban road, drainage systems, regional markets, infrastructures for youth, management of solid and liquid waste management. In addition, if the CERC will be implemented, the project can further induce some effects that entail environmental and social concerns. As specific areas of intervention and details of investments will not be known during project preparation, the Government of Mauritania has prepared a draft Environmental and Social Management Framework (ESMF) which has been consulted upon, reviewed by the bank and being finalized by the borrower. The draft ESMF will be disclosed in-country in January 2020 and at the World Bank Web site prior to appraisal. Jan 20, 2020 Page 4 of 10 The World Bank Decentralization and Productive Intermediate Cities Support Project (P169332) The major concern raised by the ESMF is the weak capacity of the municipalities with regard to their responsibilities for investment project preparation and implementation. In addition, SOMELEC has no experience with World Bank financed projects. Other potential environmental and social risks and negative impacts identified and assessed in the ESMF are expected to be mostly temporary and reversible if they are well managed. These risks and negative impacts will be managed in accordance with the ESMF through preparation of site-specific instruments such as Environmental and Social Management Plans (ESMPs). These include dust surges and air pollution, loss of vegetable species, production of waste, risks of erosion and pollution of grounds and surface water, risks of accidents at work and traffic, social conflicts between local populations and construction site staff, risks of sexual abuse. The challenge will therefore be to combine the development of the Project's activities with the required environmental and social risk management. The ESMF defines screening mechanisms and monitoring procedures for the identification and management of potential adverse environmental and social impacts and provide a five-level grievance redress mechanism, and the steps to follow in the grievance process. Site specific ESIAs and their associated ESMPs will be prepared during the implementation phase of the project when the nature, scope and geographical location of the sub-projects are known. A robust social assessment will be included ESIAs. Where needed, relevant management plans such as GBV action plan, Occupational Health and Safety Plan (OHP), Labor Management Plan (LMP), Waste Management Plan (WMP), etc. will be included in the site specific ESMPs, reviewed and approved by the World Bank prior to the start of any construction works As part of activities under component 2, in aiming to improve capacities of local actors to prepare and implement Public Disclosure development plans and reforms, the project can further induce some effects that entail environmental and social concerns. To prevent and manage the potential impacts and risks, the TOR for development plans will include provision to take into account environmental and social impacts and risks. In case of development of a Master plan, an ESMF will be prepared along with the master plan, to set out the principles, rules, guidelines and procedures to assess the environmental and social risks and impacts when the master plan will be implemented. An Environmental and Social Commitment Plan (ESCP), drawn and agreed upon with the Borrower, is also be prepared. It sets out the substantive measures and actions that will be required for the project to meet environmental and social requirements. These measures shall be implemented within the specified timeframes and the status of implementation will be reviewed as part of project monitoring and reporting. ESS10 Stakeholder Engagement and Information Disclosure The borrower engaged in meaningful consultations with all stakeholders throughout the project life cycle, paying particular attention to the inclusion of vulnerable and disadvantaged groups (including the elderly, persons with disabilities, female-headed households, orphans and Refugees). Key stakeholders consulted during the SEP preparation Ministry of Economy and Finance (MEF), the Ministry of Health Action (MAS), the Ministry of National Education (MEN), the Ministry of Food Security (MSA), the Ministry of Housing and Urbanism and Land Development, Ministry of Hydraulics and Sanitation (MHA), the Ministry of Social Affairs for Children and Families (MASEF), the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development (MEDD), the Ministry of Rural Development (MDR), the Ministry of Decentralization and Local Development (MDDL), the Ministry of Employment, Youth and Sports (MEJS), Wali, Hakem, Communes and Municipalities, women associations and youth groups. A strategy for the consultation Jan 20, 2020 Page 5 of 10 The World Bank Decentralization and Productive Intermediate Cities Support Project (P169332) of the different stakeholders is proposed. A plan is proposed for the stakeholders engagement in the project, at the project preparation stage to the project implementation and closure. A GRM is prepared by the project. The GRM will be installed at four levels: i) at the local level (in the town or village) under the supervision of the mayor of the Commune; (ii) at the Department level (Moughataa) under the supervision of the Hakem ; (iii) at the Regional level (the Wilayas); and (iv) finally at the National level. 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 The project footprint will certainly entail a significant amount of labor due to the works that the project could undertake in the 7 wilayas. Some wilayas are near to Mali and Senegal frontiers and the workers from these countries could migrate, to look for a job in Mauritania. Some Contractors could bring workers from outside and house them near the local communities. This could be an issue if not suitably managed.Therefore, the Borrower will ensure that, to the extennt possible, unskilled labor for construction is hired locally in order to minimize the influx of unskilled labor and reduce the potential for harm. All workers will be sensitized on the code of conduct that they will be asked to sign and keep as annex to their work contract. The Borrower developed and will implement a Labor Management Procedures (LMP). The LMP has detailed information on the work terms and conditions including explicit prohibition of child labor. In addition to measures for the PIU staff, the LMP include measures to protect community members that provide labor on a voluntary basis, including participation of women and the health and safety of workers. The LMP describes the role of the direct workers, the primary supply workers, the contractors’workers including Public Disclosure migrants if any and the roles and responsibilities for monitoring project workers. The Project will require contractors to develop and implement a grievance mechanism for their workforce, including subcontractors, as part of their C- ESMP. Regarding the community workers, the LMP provides information for the treatment of the labor on a voluntary basis and also how they will have access to the grievance redress mechanism for projects workers included in the LMP and have access to the general project GRM.The LMP describes the roles and responsibilities for monitoring such workers. Occupational Health and Safety (OHS): To ensure health and safety of workers during the construction and operational phases of the project, the borrower will develop and implement a Health, Safety and Environmental (HSE) plan in line with World Bank Group Environment, Health and Safety (EHS) Guidelines (generic for construction activities, and relevant sectors). The plan will include procedures on incident investigation and reporting, recording and reporting of non-conformances, emergency preparedness and response procedures and continuous training and awareness to workers. Workers' Accommodation: The Contractor-ESMP will confirm if there will be onsite accommodation of works. ESS3 Resource Efficiency and Pollution Prevention and Management This ESS is relevant because the project may invest on solid and liquid waste management, and also given the fact that strengthening the productivity of cities could substantially increase the production of waste that can be source of pollution. The site specific ESIAs will determine the source, type, quantity, and risks associated with the waste likely to be generated by the project and, if such waste cannot be avoided, the ESIA will propose appropriate measures to minimize, reduce and, where not possible, mitigate, the risks associated with the waste. The Jan 20, 2020 Page 6 of 10 The World Bank Decentralization and Productive Intermediate Cities Support Project (P169332) management of wastes needs to be consider during all phases of the project, including design, construction, operation, closure, and decommissioning. In addition, it is expected that the specific ESIAs will explore technically and financially feasible measures to improve efficient consumption of energy, water and building materials The project might likely use raw material for construction activities. The material will be sourced following measures described in the Good International Industry Practices (GIIPs) and the project will emphasize the reuse and recycling of construction material. ESS4 Community Health and Safety Project activities related to waste management are expected to contribute to improving community health. However, construction activities can cause the influx of some workers, which can lead to adverse social impacts (gender-based violence, sexual exploitation, communicable diseases) on local communities. As the initial GBV risk is moderate, site specific ESIAs will include GBV assessment and where needed, measures to prevent and mitigate potential GBV risks involving project workers will be included in contractor and worker contracts and codes of conduct. The Labor Management Procedures requested in ESS2 includes measures to ensure that the health and safety of workers are given adequate attention. In addition, for each construction site, the specific environmental and social assessment will recommend the necessary measures to restrict community access to the construction site during the entire work period. And where the project includes construction of new buildings and structures that will be accessed by members of the public, the Borrower will consider the incremental risks of the public’s potential exposure to operational accidents or natural hazards, including extreme weather events. Where technically and financially feasible, the Borrower will also apply the concept of universal access to the design and construction of such new Public Disclosure buildings and structures. ESS5 Land Acquisition, Restrictions on Land Use and Involuntary Resettlement The implementation of Component 1, which will support various construction activities of communal or inter- municipal infrastructures such as access road, drainage, urban road, regional markets, infrastructures for youth, management of solid and liquid waste could lead to land acquisition and involuntary resettlement. The component 4, Contingency Emergency Response could lead to some civil works and some possible involuntary resettlement. This component is a provision to cover natural event, a major disaster which could affect the livelihoods of people living in the project area. For that the government may request the World Bank to reallocate project funds to cover some costs of emergency response and recovery. As specific activities and locations of at this stage of the project interventions are not yet know, the Borrower has prepared a Resettlement Policy Framework (RPF) which was disclosed on December 30, 2019. As soon as the locations and activities will be defined, a Resettlement Action Plan (s) will be prepared (if necessary). ESS6 Biodiversity Conservation and Sustainable Management of Living Natural Resources This ESS is expected to be of minimal relevance to this project. Initial due diligence carried out during site visits to project areas, indicate that none of the preliminary list of 7 towns are located in the vicinity of legally protected areas or areas of high biodiversity values. Major parts of project activities are likely to happen on existing footprints. Further impacts on biodiversity or modified habitats will be assessed during the preparation of the site-specific ESIAs. Jan 20, 2020 Page 7 of 10 The World Bank Decentralization and Productive Intermediate Cities Support Project (P169332) ESS7 Indigenous Peoples/Sub-Saharan African Historically Underserved Traditional Local Communities There are no Indigenous Peoples/Sub-Saharan Historically Underserved Traditional Local Communities in the project area of influence. ESS8 Cultural Heritage In Mauritania there are cultural heritage sites in all cities. The screening mechanism in the ESMF includes questions to exclude activities that may have adversely impact on any known tangible or intangible cultural heritage. In addition, due to potential impacts on Cultural heritage associated with excavation during civil works, the ESMF includes provisions of “Chance Finds” approach to ensure that these aspects will be taken into account in specific ESIA/ESMPs then reflected in the companies' contracts, in case any chance finds occur. ESS9 Financial Intermediaries This ESS is not relevant. C. Legal Operational Policies that Apply OP 7.50 Projects on International Waterways No Public Disclosure OP 7.60 Projects in Disputed Areas No III. BORROWER’S ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL COMMITMENT PLAN (ESCP) DELIVERABLES against MEASURES AND ACTIONs IDENTIFIED TIMELINE ESS 1 Assessment and Management of Environmental and Social Risks and Impacts Disclosure of the of the draft ESMF. 01/2020 Recruitment of an environmental specialist and an social specialist in the Central PIU. Reports on the status of compliance with the environmental and social documents (ESMF, RPF, LMP, 12/2020 SEP) Reports on the status of compliance with the environmental and social documents (GBV action plan) 07/2021 ESS 10 Stakeholder Engagement and Information Disclosure Disclosure of the draft Stakeholder Engagement Plan (SEP) Disclosure of the Grievance Redress 01/2020 Mechanism (GRM) ESS 2 Labor and Working Conditions Jan 20, 2020 Page 8 of 10 The World Bank Decentralization and Productive Intermediate Cities Support Project (P169332) Disclosure of the draft Labor Management Procedure (LMP) 01/2020 Labor Management Plan must be prepared by the Contractor 04/2021 ESS 3 Resource Efficiency and Pollution Prevention and Management When preparing specific ESMP (i) apply a mitigation hierarchy to minimize production of waste and (ii) explore technically and financially feasible measures to improve efficient consumption of water and 04/2021 building materials ESS 4 Community Health and Safety Prepare a GBV assessment and action plan as part of the site specific ESIAs 04/2021 Implementation of the GBV action plan 04/2021 ESS 5 Land Acquisition, Restrictions on Land Use and Involuntary Resettlement Disclosure of the draft Resettlement Policy Framework 01/2020 Preparation of any site specific Resettlement Plan 04/2021 ESS 6 Biodiversity Conservation and Sustainable Management of Living Natural Resources Public Disclosure Assess impacts on biodiversity or modified habitats as part of the site-specific ESIAs 04/2021 ESS 7 Indigenous Peoples/Sub-Saharan African Historically Underserved Traditional Local Communities ESS 8 Cultural Heritage A ‘‘Chance find procedures’’ will be included in all bidding documents for civil work 04/2021 ESS 9 Financial Intermediaries B.3. Reliance on Borrower’s policy, legal and institutional framework, relevant to the Project risks and impacts Is this project being prepared for use of Borrower Framework? No Areas where “Use of Borrower Framework” is being considered: The Borrower’s environmental and social framework will not be considered given the substantial risk and complexity of the project. IV. CONTACT POINTS World Bank Jan 20, 2020 Page 9 of 10 The World Bank Decentralization and Productive Intermediate Cities Support Project (P169332) Contact: Abel Paul Basile Bove Title: Senior Governance Specialist Telephone No: 5220+33569 / Email: above@worldbank.org Contact: Alexandra Le Courtois Title: Sr Urban Spec. Telephone No: 473-6034 Email: alecourtois@worldbank.org Contact: Farouk Mollah Banna Title: Senior Urban Sanitation Specialist Telephone No: 5353+3331 / Email: fbanna@worldbank.org Borrower/Client/Recipient Borrower: Islamic Republic of Mauritania Implementing Agency(ies) Implementing Agency: Ministry of Economy and Industry V. FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT The World Bank 1818 H Street, NW Public Disclosure Washington, D.C. 20433 Telephone: (202) 473-1000 Web: http://www.worldbank.org/projects VI. APPROVAL Task Team Leader(s): Abel Paul Basile Bove, Alexandra Le Courtois, Farouk Mollah Banna Practice Manager (ENR/Social) Maria Sarraf Cleared on 15-Jan-2020 at 11:23:55 EST Jan 20, 2020 Page 10 of 10