The World Bank Decentralization and Productive Intermediate Cities Support Project AF (P181311) Additional Financing Appraisal Environmental and Social Review Summary Appraisal Stage (AF ESRS Appraisal Stage) Public Disclosure Date Prepared/Updated: 09/25/2023 | Report No: ESRSAFA618 Oct 10, 2023 Page 1 of 9 The World Bank Decentralization and Productive Intermediate Cities Support Project AF (P181311) I. BASIC INFORMATION A. Basic Project Data Country Region Borrower(s) Implementing Agency(ies) Mauritania WESTERN AND CENTRAL AFRICA Project ID Project Name P181311 Decentralization And Productive Intermediate Cities Support Project Af Parent Project ID (if any) Parent Project Name P169332 Decentralization and Productive Intermediate Cities Support Project Practice Area (Lead) Financing Instrument Estimated Appraisal Date Estimated Board Date Urban, Resilience and Land Investment Project 10/17/2023 11/30/2023 Financing Estimated Decision Review Total Project Cost Public Disclosure Date 10/3/2023 0 Proposed Development Objective The development objectives of this operation are to (i) improve access to local services in selected localities; and (ii) strengthen the capacities of Local Governments to plan and manage local public services. 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 Activities This project will support the development of intermediate cities and immediate rural areas of Mauritania. D. Environmental and Social Overview D.1 Overview of Environmental and Social Project Settings The AF project activities will be implemented in two cities: Rosso (Trarza) and Kaedi (Gorgol) under the 7 wilayas (Trarza, Brakna, Gorgol, Assaba, Guidimakha, Hodh el Gharbi and Hodh Ech Chargui) concerned by the parent project. Oct 10, 2023 Page 2 of 9 The World Bank Decentralization and Productive Intermediate Cities Support Project AF (P181311) These areas are near to the Senegalese and Malian borders. The Senegal River, an international waterway, forms the border with the Republic of Senegal. The project's intervention cities have been established in consultation with the Mauritanian Government based on their potential to extend their services to a broader territory and population. For that reason, the South of Mauritania, where more than a third of the urban population lives and where the poverty rates remain the highest, was selected. Rosso, in the West, and Kiffa in the center, are by far the most dynamic cities in the project’s area. Selibaby at the central South and Aioun at the East will complement a good coverage of this large territory. Most of the project area falls within the Sahelo-Saharan zone, apart from the extreme south, which forms the Senegal River valley. Everywhere vegetation is suffering from the combined effects of drought and human activities. The fauna and its natural habitat are gradually disappearing. D.2 Overview of Borrower’s Institutional Capacity for Managing Environmental and Social Risks and Impacts The central project coordination unit (PCU) at the Ministry of Economy and Industry will also be responsible for implementing the AF activities and ensuring ESF compliance. This central PCU is currently coordinating the parent project activities, except subcomponent 1.2, which is being implemented by SOMELEC through a sub-PCU. Given the large geographical extent of the project area, a regional PCU was established in the city of Kiffa to support project implementation in the regions of Assaba, Guidimagha, Hodh Ech Chargui, and Hodh El Gharbi. Project activities in the city of Rosso are being supervised by the central PCU in Nouakchott. This PCU and the SOMELEC sub-PCU are responsible for environmental and social risk management and ESF compliance for their respective activities to. Local governments are responsible for investment project preparation and implementation, with the technical support of the central and the regional PCUs. The central PCU is staffed with an environmental specialist, a social/ gender specialist. The SOMELEC sub PCU is staffed with an environmental specialist, a social and Gender specialist. These Public Disclosure specialists were recruited for the full project period and need for capacity-building in environmental and social risk managment. The last environmental and social performance rating (May 2023) of the parent project was Moderately Satisfactory due to delays in preparing E&S instruments and gaps noted in the implementation of occupational health and safety (OHS) by contractors responsible for the civil works. The gaps are being addressed through an action plan that is being closely followed up with the PCU. Improvements have been noted in the quality of some environmental and social studies, with the recent use of consultants from the sub-region. II. SUMMARY OF ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL (ES) RISKS AND IMPACTS A. Environmental and Social Risk Classification (ESRC) Substantial A.1 Environmental Risk Rating Substantial Environmental risk rating remains substantial, given the nature and small to medium-scale of activities and their related risks and impacts. The parent projet activities involve construction of 2 waste management facilities, construction/rehabilitation of urban roads, rehabiltation of markets, activities to improve rural and urban electrification, and a rapid investment program focused on city enhancements (rehabilitation of public squares, building of city gates, greening of public spaces, etc.). In addition to the activities of the parent project, the additional financing will include rehabilitation of stormwater drainage networks, pomping station and construction a waste management facility. During the construction phase, potential risks and impacts are mainly related to (i) resource efficency (water, energy and raw material use); (ii) alteration of air quality by dust rising during Oct 10, 2023 Page 3 of 9 The World Bank Decentralization and Productive Intermediate Cities Support Project AF (P181311) construction/rehabilitation of urbain roads, and rehabilitation of stormwater drainage networks (iii) sound pollution due to noise and vibration from moving of construction vehicles and machinery; (iv) soil and water resources contamination due to poor management of hazardous and nonhazardous wastes , (v) occupational and community health and safety due to the civil works in urban areas. In the operational phase (i) leachate and runoff from waste management facilities that can contaminate soil and water resources; (ii) mismanagement of waste from rehabilitated market, which could lead to community health and safety issues, (iii) urban communities' exposure to road safety risks, and (iv) drainage wastewater during the dry season that could affect the water quality of the Senegal River. This risk to the Senegal river is the main new risk introduced by the AF. In addition to these risks and impacts that could be caused by the project's activities, environmental and social management remains weak. A.2 Social Risk Rating Substantial On the social side, the AF project activities are likely to generate some social impacts including some limited acquisition of land for civil works under component 1.2 and the CERC, working conditions (including foreign labor influx as some Wilayas are near to Mali and Senegal frontiers) , limited opportunities for civil society feedback and engagement, and lack of inclusive service delivery and participation. The project will be in the urban/peri-urban areas and the preliminary SEA/SH risks assessment rating is moderate. An action plan has been developed and approved by the bank. This action plan, which is currently being implemented, will be extended to the AF activities. B. Environment and Social Standards (ESSs) that Apply to the Activities Being Considered B.1 Relevance of Environmental and Social Standards Public Disclosure ESS1 Assessment and Management of Environmental and Social Risks and Relevant Impacts Similar to the parent project, activities financed by the AF are expected to improve access to local services in selected localities by building/rehabilitating urban infrastructure (such as urban roads, markets, public squares), eliminating illegal waste dumps, solving the problem of flooding in urban areas, etc. and strengthening the Local Government capacity to plan and manage local public services and flood control/management . However, small scale infrastructure construction and rehabilitation, may generate some environmental and social (E&S) risks and impacts. As part of the AF, the project intends to rehabilitate existing stormwater drainage networks with outlet into the Senegal River which is a modified habitat. During the dry season, drain water is essentially wastewater. Measures to avoid/mitigate risks of pollution to the Senegal River will be incorporated into the ESIA for the rehabilitation of the stormwater drainage system and the pumping station. For the parent project, the Borrower prepared, consulted upon, and disclosed all required environmental and social risks management instruments (ESMF, RPF, SEP, LMP), and established a grievance mechanism. The ESMF, RPF and SEP are being updated to cover the AF and will be disclosed prior to Appraisal. The ESMF defines screening mechanisms and monitoring procedures for the identification and management of potential adverse environmental and social impacts from proposed project activities. In addition to the E&S framework documents, site-specific ESIAs are being prepared by the client as part of the parent project, and two of them were approved by the World Bank and disclosed. The ESIA for the Rosso Technical Landfill Center and the ESIA for the Rosso temporary waste disposal facility were disclosed on the World Bank website Aug. 01, 2023, and on May 29, 2023, respectively. Other, such as the ESIA for the Kiffa Technical Landfill Center, the ESIAs for the urban road network and the ESIA for the new Adel Bagrou town hall are in advance draft and should be approved and disclosed soon. The draft ESIAs for urban roads indicate that specific RAPs will be required. If confirmed, these will be prepared, disclosed, and Oct 10, 2023 Page 4 of 9 The World Bank Decentralization and Productive Intermediate Cities Support Project AF (P181311) implemented before the start of civil works. The ESMF and subsequent ESIAs include measures to avoid, minimize or compensate for the identified E&S risks identified. To address, prevent and manage the potential impacts and risks related to the process of improving the capacity of local governments to prepare and implement urban master plans, the TOR for development of the Urban Master Plans will include provision for assessment and management of environmental and social risks and impacts proportionate to the potential risks and impacts and set out the principles, rules, guidelines, and procedures to prepare site specific E&S instruments as needed. For civil works, E&S clauses are imbedded in bidding documents to ensure that contractors follow up on environmental and social due diligence and to mitigate the anticipated negative risks and impacts. Day-to-day supervision of the implementation of E&S measures is carried out by the supervising engineer (Bureau de contrôle), staffed with E&S specialists. The Moudoun PCU, as well as the SOMELEC PCU, each include an environmental specialist and a social specialist (mostly focused on Gender). Moudoun PCU will need to be reinforced with a social specialist with a strong background in resettlement. Capacity building for all stakeholders will be prioritized for the next 12 months. If the CERC is triggered, the project can further induce some effects that entail environmental and social concerns. Any CERC activity that requires an E&S study, the said study must be prepared, approved and the E&S risk management measures related to the works incorporated into the tender documents. ESS2 Labor and Working Conditions Relevant The construction and rehabilitation work that will be financed by the AF are expected to require a large and diverse Public Disclosure workforce that may include foreign workers from Mali and Senegal given the geographical proximity. While the Borrower is committed to sourcing as much local labor as possible, this labor influx could generate some social risks for the local communities. The LMP prepared and disclosed for the parent project will be used to manage these risks. It contains provisions for adequate terms and conditions of work, explicit prohibition of child and forced labor and measures to protect community workers. All workers including those hired into the PCU will be required to sign a standard Code of Conduct. The worker GRM established for the parent project will be used for the AF activities. Regarding the community workers, the LMP provides information for the treatment of the labor on a voluntary basis and 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 the health and safety of workers during the construction, tender documents require companies to provide a health and safety plan as part of their company's ESMP. 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. 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 SEA/SH risk is moderate, site specific ESIAs already developed and in process include SEA/SH assessment and where needed, measures to prevent and mitigate potential SEA/SH 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. Oct 10, 2023 Page 5 of 9 The World Bank Decentralization and Productive Intermediate Cities Support Project AF (P181311) ESS3 Resource Efficiency and Pollution Prevention and Management Relevant Pollution prevention and management. During construction, air quality could deteriorate by smoke from heavy vehicles and construction machinery, dust from vehicle traffic, excavation, cuttings and embankment work. There is also the risk of soil and water pollution from construction waste and accidental spills of hazardous substances such as hydrocarbons. There is also the risk of soil and water resources pollution associated with the commissioning of some infrastructures. The ESIAs developed under the parent project include measures to minimize the impacts of dust (sprinkling) and emissions (maintenance of site vehicles and machinery), measures to prevent soil and water pollution (containment structures to prevent hydrocarbons leaking into the ground) and robust sealing systems in the waste management infrastructures to reduce pollution risks to soil and water resources. Regarding the risk of pollution from drainage wastewater during the dry season, measures to avoid/mitigate risks of pollution to the Senegal river will be incorporated into the ESIA for the rehabilitation of the stormwater drainage system and the pumping station. The other ESIAs to be prepared (as part of both the parent project and the AF) will also assess pollution risks and propose appropriate mitigation measures. Raw materials. Construction and rehabilitation of infrastructures like urban roads and landfills involve water and energy use. The ESIA will assess the potential cumulative impacts of water use on neighboring communities make use of relevant measures in the EHSG to optimize energy use and implement mitigation measures. Infrastructure works also involve construction materials such as sand, gravel, clay extracted from the natural environment. These should be sourced from authorized quarries near the sites. In case of new quarry openings, the ESIA for the Rosso landfill recommends appropriate measures for opening new quarry, efficient extraction and use of raw materials, and closure measures (as per EHSG). They are included in the environmental and social clauses of the tender documents to enable the contractor to prepare a quarry reclamation and closure plan. Public Disclosure ESS4 Community Health and Safety Relevant Project activities related to waste management and rehabilitation of existing drainage networks that will be financed by the AF are expected to contribute to improving community health. And where the AF 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 buildings and structures. Additional risks to the community are identified in site specific ESIAs include traffic and road safety (particularly during construction) or community exposure to nuisances (such as dust, noise or bad odors due to landfill management and shallow waters) and public health issues (such as spread of malaria and waterborne diseases) the production of quantities of waste (household and biomedical). During operation and in dry season, drainage water discharged into the Senegal river could pose health and safety risk to communities supplied with drinking water from the river. Measures to avoid/mitigate risks of pollution to the Senegal river will be incorporated into the ESIA for the rehabilitation of the stormwater drainage system and the pumping station. ESS5 Land Acquisition, Restrictions on Land Use and Involuntary Resettlement Relevant To address the potential risks related to the activities to be financed under the AF, the RPF prepared and disclosed on December 30, 2019, for the parent project was reviewed to confirm that it also covers these potential risks. These risks include construction of communal or inter-municipal infrastructures such as access roads, drainage, urban road, regional markets, infrastructures for youth, management of solid and liquid waste that could require some land acquisition and involuntary resettlement and temporary restrictions on access to homes and businesses. Component 4, Contingency Oct 10, 2023 Page 6 of 9 The World Bank Decentralization and Productive Intermediate Cities Support Project AF (P181311) Emergency Response may also finance some civil works and require some limited involuntary resettlement. The updated version for the RPF will be disclosed in country and on the Bank’s website prior to Appraisal. For all sub-projects, environmental and social assessments including E&S screening will be required and ESMPs and Resettlement Action Plan(s) (RAPs) will be prepared as needed and implemented prior to the beginning of works. Given the nature of the project, however, all efforts will be made to avoid or minimize negative impacts on personal property and assets. ESS6 Biodiversity Conservation and Sustainable Management of Living Natural Relevant Resources Project intervention sites are not located in the vicinity of legally protected areas. However, the Senegal River, which is a modified habitat, could be affected. Wastewater flows into the stormwater drainage system to be rehabilitated. In the dry season, from November to June, the water drained is essentially wastewater, which could affect the Senegal River. The ESIA for the rehabilitation of the drainage system and the pumping station will includes measures to avoid or minimize pollution risks to the Senegal River. ESS7 Indigenous Peoples/Sub-Saharan African Historically Underserved Traditional Not Currently Relevant Local Communities This standard is not considered relevant as there are no Indigenous Peoples/Sub-Saharan African Historically Underserved Traditional Local Communities currently identified in the project area. Should the presence of indigenous communities be confirmed through further screening during implementation, the necessary assessments, consultations and instruments will be undertaken per the requirements of this standard. Public Disclosure ESS8 Cultural Heritage Relevant In Mauritania, there are cultural heritage sites in all cities throughout the country. The screening questionnaire provided in the ESMF includes questions to exclude activities that may have adverse impacts 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 for “Chance Finds” to guide the identification and management of any chance finds. The potential for cultural heritage will be part of the TOR for any ESIAs and “Chance finds” provisions will be included in any ESMPs and reflected in the contractor's contracts. ESS9 Financial Intermediaries Not Currently Relevant The Project will not involve financial intermediaries ESS10 Stakeholder Engagement and Information Disclosure Relevant During preparation of the parent project, the Borrower engaged in meaningful consultations with all stakeholders, 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 included 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 Oct 10, 2023 Page 7 of 9 The World Bank Decentralization and Productive Intermediate Cities Support Project AF (P181311) of Decentralization and Local Development (MDDL), the Ministry of Employment, Youth and Sports (MEJS), Wali, Hakem, Communes and Municipalities, women associations and youth groups. As part of the process to update the SEP for the AF, complimentary meetings with stakeholders in the new project areas were held between the 8th and 15th June 2023. The new stakeholders identified include: the Directorate General of Housing and Urban Planning (DGHU) at the level of the Ministry of Housing, Urban Planning and Regional Planning; the National Sanitation Office in Nouakchott, the Barak project at TAAZOUR, the NGO: Medicos Del Mundo; the Youth Association of Medina Rosso; the Tamwil Project at TAAZOUR, the Directorate of Environmental Assessment and Control, the Wali of Gogol and Hakim of Kaédi, the Directorate of Protection and Restoration of Species and Environments in Kaédi, the Regional Directorate of Social Affairs, Children and Women in Kaédi; the Regional Directorate of Health Action in Kaédi; the Wali of Trarza, the Municipality of Rosso, the Regional Directorate of Social Affairs, Children and Women in Rosso; the Regional Delegation of Housing and Urban Planning and Spatial Planning in Rosso; the Regional Delegation of the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development in Rosso; the Directorate of Sanitation at the level of the Ministry of Hydraulics and Sanitation. A GRM is currently operational and functional in the initial project area that includes four levels in the 7 regions covered: 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. Its implementation will continue based on the action plan integrated in the updated SEP to consider the sectors, regions and villages covered. The updated SEP will be published prior to Appraisal. The ESMF identified during consultations with women the existence of GBV cases mainly in villages. A Family Disputes Public Disclosure Unit chaired by the Regional Coordinator of MASEF exist to manage cases, but it must be said that the context of the country (Islam) calls for amicable resolution of any problem that arises. The sub-projects to be implemented by the AF project will exacerbate SEA/SH’s risk. Thus, the management of SEA/SH deserves special attention and requires a specific study on the mechanism for managing gender-based violence (GBV). Also, the Moudoun project will specifically support Family Litigation Unit in technical and logistical capacity for the psychological, social, economic and legal care of victims of SEA/SH. B.2 Legal Operational Policies that Apply OP 7.50 Projects on International Waterways Yes This policy applies given potential drainage to Senegal river in Rosso and Kaedi. OP 7.60 Projects in Disputed Areas B.3 Other Salient Features Use of Borrower Framework No The project will not rely on the Borrower’s environmental and social Framework, but will comply with relevant national legal and regulatory requirements. Use of Common Approach No Oct 10, 2023 Page 8 of 9 The World Bank Decentralization and Productive Intermediate Cities Support Project AF (P181311) Not Applicable C. Overview of Required Environmental and Social Risk Management Activities C.1 What Borrower environmental and social analyses, instruments, plans and/or frameworks are planned or required during implementation? - ESIA for the Kaedi landfill - ESIA for the rehabilitation of the drainage system and the pumping station in Rosso - ESIA for the rehabilitation of the drainage system in Kaedi III. CONTACT POINTS World Bank Task Team Leader: Nahida Sinno Title: Urban Development Specialist Email: nsinno@worldbank.org IV. 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 V. APPROVAL Task Team Leader(s): Manaf Touati, Nahida Sinno, Jonas Ingemann Parby ADM Environmental Specialist: Medou Lo ADM Social Specialist: Cheikh Hamallah Diagana Practice Manager (ENR/Social) Maria Sarraf Cleared on 25-Sep-2023 at 13:33:29 EDT Oct 10, 2023 Page 9 of 9