Yemen Desert Locust Response Project (P174170) Updated Stakeholder Engagement Plan (SEP) REPUBLIC OF YEMEN FOOD and AGRICULTURE ORGANIZATION (FAO) YEMEN DESERT LOCUST RESPONSE PROJECT-P174170 UPDATE (3) STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT PLAN (SEP) November 15, 2023 Table of Contents Acronyms ................................................................................................................................... v .1 Introduction ................................................................................................................................... 1 1.1. Context ................................................................................................................................... 1 1.2. Project Objectives ................................................................................................................................. 2 1.3. Project Components ............................................................................................................................. 2 1.4. Environmental and social impacts associated with the project ........................................................... 2 1.5. Rationale and Objective of the Stakeholder Engagement Plan ............................................................ 4 2. Stakeholder Identification and Analysis................................................................................................ 5 2.1. Methodology ................................................................................................................................... 5 2.2. Project Affected Parties (PAPs) ............................................................................................................. 6 2.3. Other Interested Parties (OIPs) ............................................................................................................. 6 2.4. Disadvantaged/Vulnerable Individuals or Groups ................................................................................ 7 3. Stakeholder Engagement Program ....................................................................................................... 8 3.1. Summary of Stakeholder Engagement during Project Preparation ..................................................... 8 3.2. Summary of Project Stakeholder Needs, Methods, and Tools for Stakeholder Engagement ............ 11 3.3. Summary of Stakeholder Engagement during Project Implementation............................................. 13 3.3.1. Summary of the Consultations during the Preparation of Site-Specific PMP’s ...................... 13 3.3.1.1 Consultations with Local community Farmers in the Targeted Areas till End of 2021 ........... 14 3.3.1.2 Consultations with Desert Locust Workers till End of 2021 ................................................... 14 3.3.1.3 Consultation Conducted by the Monitoring & Evaluations Team Performed in 2021 ........... 14 3.3.2. Consultation with MAI in the South and other Authorities during 2022................................ 15 3.3.3. Consultation with Desert Locust Workers in the North during 2023 ..................................... 15 3.3.4. Training for the South Desert Locust Workers during 2022 ................................................... 16 3.3.4.1 Training of Trainers (TOT) on Desert Locust Survey and Control Operation............................. 16 3.3.4.2 Training on Environmental and Social Safeguard and Environmental and Health Standard (EHS) during the Desert Locust Control Operations....................................................................................... 16 3.3.4.3 Awareness session Summary, till March 2022 ......................................................................... 16 3.3.4.4 Awareness session Summary, from January till April 2023 ...................................................... 17 3.3.5. Training for the Desert Locust Workers during 2023 ............................................................. 18 3.3.6. Training on GBV/SEA/SH mitigation and prevention for the Desert Locust Workers in South area during 2023 ................................................................................................................................. 18 4. Proposed Strategy for Information Disclosure and Consultation Process .......................................... 18 4.1. Response for the Covid-19 During Implementation the Desert Locust Project ................................. 19 i 4.2. Reporting Back to Stakeholders .......................................................................................................... 21 5. Management Functions and Responsibilities ..................................................................................... 21 6. Grievance Mechanism ........................................................................................................................ 22 6.1. Approach to GM Establishment .......................................................................................................... 23 6.2. Ddistribution of the Grievance Mechanism (GM) Leaflets During the Awareness Sessions .............. 25 7. Monitoring and Reporting .................................................................................................................. 25 8. Annexes ................................................................................................................................. 27 Annex 1: Indicative Table of Contents for Community Communication and Outreach Guideline ............. 27 Annex 2: Proposed Strategy for Stakeholders Consultation. ...................................................................... 28 Annex 3: FAO Grievance Handling Mechanism........................................................................................... 30 The below details are related to the update SEP 2 ..................................................................................... 34 Annex 5: Field Visit to Wearhouse of Desert Locust Materials................................................................... 34 Annex 6: Consultations with Local Community Farmers in the Targeted Areas till the End of 2021 ......... 37 Annex 7: Consultations with Desert Locust Workers .................................................................................. 40 7.1. Consultations till the End of 2021 ........................................................................................... 40 7.2. Consultations till the End of March 2022 ............................................................................... 41 Annexes 8: Consultation Conducted by the Monitoring & Evaluations Team Performed in 2021, participation number (selected samples about 10):................................................................................... 44 8.1. Meeting with the GMPP - Emergency Operations Unit in Aden governorate: ....................... 45 8.2. Meeting with the Desert Locust Team and General Manager of Plant Protection (GMPP) in Sayoun ................................................................................................................................................. 46 8.3. Meeting with the GMPP in Al Mukalla .................................................................................... 47 8.4. Field Visit to Desert Locust Survey Locations .......................................................................... 47 8.5. Local initiatives in responding to desert locust meeting with Al Falah association in Sayoun 48 8.6. Interviews and Focused Groups Discussions (FGDs) with farmers, beekeepers and women .. 48 Annex 9: The conducted training and field visit for the south desert locust workers in 2022 ................... 50 9.1 Training of Trainers (TOT) for the Environmental and Health safety Standards and Environmental and Social Safeguards during the desert locust control campaigns ................................................... 51 9.2 Training on Environmental and Social Safeguard and Environmental and Health Standard (EHS) during the Desert Locust Control Operations and training for use of the of bio-pesticides (green muscle). ............................................................................................................................................... 51 9.3 Awareness Sessions Summary, till March 2022 ...................................................................... 52 9.4 The awareness sessions in the north during the period June to August 2022 ........................ 55 Annex 10: Distribution of the Grievance Mechanism (GM) Leaflets (cards) .............................................. 59 Annex 11: YDLRP Minutes of Meeting FAO with Institutions ..................................................................... 60 ii Annex 12: Meeting between FAO Desert Locust Manager and Deputy Minister in Aden Governorate as announced in Al-Ayyam News Paper .......................................................................................................... 63 The below details are related to the update SEP 3 ..................................................................................... 64 Annex 13: Consultation with Desert Locust Workers in the North during 2023 ........................................ 64 Annex 14: Awareness session Summary, from January till April 2023 ....................................................... 67 Annex 15: Distribution of the Grievance Mechanism (GM) Leaflets (cards) 2023 ..................................... 68 Annex 16: Consultation Conducted by the Monitoring & Evaluations Team Performed in 2023, participation number (selected samples about 10):................................................................................... 69 Annex 17: Training on GBV/SEA/SH mitigation and prevention for the Desert Locust Workers in South area during 2023 ................................................................................................................................. 69 iii Figures Figure 1 Source Relief Web ........................................................................................................................... 1 Figure 2 The Inspection Site Visited Pesticides Wearhouse in South ......................................................... 36 Figure 3 Control Operation Cause any Losses to Crops, Animal, Bees and Non-Target organisms to local Community and others ............................................................................................................................... 38 Figure 4 The Quick Response from the Survey and Control Teams when Locusts Appear in Local Area or Reports of Locusts are Present ................................................................................................................... 38 Figure 5 Local Community Opinion about the Control Teams Working ..................................................... 39 Figure 6 The Problems or Misbehaviour from Locust Workers .................................................................. 39 Figure 7 Meeting with Protection Secretariat of MAIF ............................................................................... 45 Figure 8 Meeting with the Desert Locust Team and Head of MAIF Office ................................................. 46 Figure 9 Observing the Field Activity of Sample Desert Locust Survey Activity.......................................... 48 Figure 10 Interviewing Beekeepers............................................................................................................. 49 Figure 11 Conducting Interviews with Female Farmers.............................................................................. 49 Figure 12 Photos of the Training Performed in Aden, South Yemen .......................................................... 52 Figure 13 The Total Sessions Beneficiaries Distributed by Governorates and Districts March 2022 ......... 53 Figure 14 Total Numbers of Beneficiaries from GM Materials Distributed in March 202 .......................... 53 Figure 15 The Total of the Most Important Topics of the Awareness Raised by Beneficiaries .................. 54 Figure 16 Number of North Awareness Beneficiaries Between June to Aug 2022 .................................... 55 Figure 17 Numbers of South Awareness Beneficiaries Between June and Aug 2022 ................................ 56 Figure 18 The Pictures for the Awareness Session in March 2022 ............................................................. 58 Figure 19 Total Number of the GM Dispatched Leaflets Distributed Until End 2021................................. 59 Figure 20 Number of the Distributed GM Cards by Governments and Districts ........................................ 59 Figure 21 Percentage Experiences Years for the desert Locust Workers ................................................... 64 Figure 22 The Percentage of the desert Locust Workers Who Conducted the ESS Training ...................... 65 Figure 23 Opinions the Derst Locust Workers about the final Disposal the Pesticides Waste ................... 65 Figure 24 Desert locust workers Opinion about Big Obstacles Faced ........................................................ 66 Figure 25 The total beneficiaries in North and South from Awareness activities in2023 .......................... 68 Figure 26 The GM Information Materials Produced ................................................................................... 68 Figure 27 Total of the GM Cards Distributed in the North and South in 2023 ........................................... 69 Tables Table 1 Engagement Approach and Application ......................................................................................... 13 Table 2 Summary of the Consultation Conducted by the M&E Team Performed in 2021 ......................... 14 Table 3 Summary of the Consultation Conducted for the South Desert Locust Workers in 2022 ............. 17 Table 4 Complaints Received by FAO GM for YDLRP (2021-2023) ............................................................. 23 Table 5 ALL Trainings Conducted during 2022 ............................................................................................ 35 Table 6 Summary of the Recommendations from the Local Farmers in 2021 ........................................... 37 Table 7 Summary of the Recommendations from the Locust Workers in 2021 ......................................... 40 Table 8 Summary of the Recommendations from the Locust Workers in 2022 ......................................... 41 Table 9 Summary of the consultation conducted by the M&E team performed in 2021. ......................... 44 Table 10 Summary of the Consultation Conducted for the South Desert Locust Workers in 2022 ........... 50 iv Acronyms AAP Accountability to Affected Population CDC Control Disease Center CERC Contingency Emergency Response Component CFW Cash for Work CHM Complaints Handling Mechanism DL Desert Locust DLW Desert Locust Workers DLMCC Desert Locust Monitoring Controlling Center DLRP Desert Locust Response Project EHS Environmental Health and Safety EPA Environment Protection Agency ESCP Environmental and Social Commitment Plan ESF Environment and Social Framework ESMF Environmental and Social Commitment Framework ESS Environmental and Social Standards FAO Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations GMPP General Management of Plants Protection GOY Government of Yemen GRM Grievance Redress Mechanism HS Health and Safety LMP Labour Management Plan M&E Monitoring and Evaluation MAI Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation MAIF Ministry Of Agriculture Irrigation and Fish Wealth MoAI Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation MPHP Ministry of Public Health and Population MWE Ministry of Water and Environment OHS Occupational Health and Safety OIP Other Interested Parties PAP Project Affected Parties PCT Project Coordination Teams PIU Project Implementation Unit PMP Pest Management Plan PMSS Pest Management Support Service PPE Personal Protective Equipment PPMP Pest and Pesticide Management Plan RPF Resettlement Project Framework SCMCHA Supreme Council for Management and Coordination of Affairs Humanitarian SEA Sexual Exploitation and Abuse SEP Stackholder Engagment Plan SFD Social Fund for Development SOP Standard Operating Procedure TOT Training of Trainers TPMA Third Party Monitoring Agency WB World Bank WUA Water Users Associations YDLRP Yemen Desert Locust Response Project v Yemen Desert Locust Response Project (P174170) Updated Stakeholder Engagement Plan (SEP) 1. Introduction One of FAO's commitments is to hold consultations with stakeholders and update the SEP document. Many consultations have been carried out with desert locust control project workers, and the community. Also, many awareness-raising sessions were carried out in many governorates. The results of the consultation analysis showed that the community satisfaction on the performance of the desert locust campaign team was very good. During 2022, awareness-raising teams and a women's group have been intensified to raise awareness and increase social coordination at the district and governorate levels to strengthen relations with the community, and to allay the beekeepers concerns about use of chemical pesticides in the process of combating desert locusts. 1.1. Context Yemen is currently facing one of the largest locust infestations in decades. The locust crisis originated in South Asia and Yemen and has now reached 10 countries could carry on endangering millions more people. Climate change created unprecedented conditions for the locusts to breed in the usually barren desert of the Arabian gulf, according to experts, and the insects were then able to spread through Yemen, where civil war has devastated the ability to control locust populations. At the same time, Yemen is also one of the key breeding grounds of the locust swarms. Swarms develop in Yemen across the entire year and in a number of locations. From the breeding locations in Yemen, the swarms travel within the country, as well as regionally. The locust-induced losses in Yemen just for the agricultural season 2020 were estimated at US$ 222 million. Cyclone Mekunu, which struck in 2018, allowed several generations of desert locusts the moist sand and vegetation to thrive in the desert between Saudi Arabia, Yemen and Oman known as the Empty Quarter, breeding and forming into crop- devouring swarms. Figure 1 Source Relief Web 1 The locust swarm infestations are exacerbating the already dire food security situation in Yemen and creating a crisis within crisis. Agriculture constitutes a backbone of the livelihoods in Yemen and is the most important non-oil sector for the economy, generating about 10 percent of GDP (World Bank). Yemen produces only around 20 percent of its food, and food insecurity is one of the major development challenges highlighted by the Government of Yemen (GOY). Violent conflict, now in its sixth year, has crippled Yemen’s economy and created an unprecedented humanitarian crisis. The dramatic deterioration of conditions in Yemen has translated into a significant worsening of poverty. The share of the population living on less than $3.20 PPP per day has dramatically worsened since the conflict began, and it is estimated that 75-80% at present (World Bank 2019) live below the poverty line. Yemen’s food security crisis is described as one of the “world’s largest man-made food security crisis�, driven by constrained food production, food supply and distribution and people’s diminishing purchasing power. 1.2. Project Objectives The aim of the Desert Locust Response Program (DLRP) is to help the Government of Yemen prepare for, control, and respond to the locust invasion, deliver safety net support and livelihood restoration to affected households, and improve the early warning and response systems. The Project objectives would be achieved by supporting investments across three pillars as per the regional approach to the desert locust outbreak response: (a) monitoring and controlling locust population growth and curbing the spread of swarms while mitigating the risks associated with control measures; (b) protecting livelihoods of locust-affected households to prevent asset loss, and return them to productivity; and (c) preventing future locust upsurges by strengthening capacity for ex ante surveillance and control operations to facilitate early warning and early response. 1.3. Project Components The total funding will be US$ 25.00 million. The proposed project includes four components, and seven subcomponents as follows: • Component (1) Surveillance and Control Measures; Sub-component 1.1 Continuous Surveillance; Sub-component 1.2 Control Measures; Sub-component 1.3: Risk reduction and management; • Component 2: Livelihood Protection and Rehabilitation; Sub-Component 2.1: Safeguarding food security and protecting human capital for enhanced resilience; Sub-Component 2.2: Rehabilitating agricultural and pastoral livelihoods; • Component 3: Coordination and Early Warning Preparedness; Sub-component 3.1: Improving the infrastructure and institutional capacity of the national locust control centers; Sub-component 3.2: Early warning preparedness; • Component 4: Project Management. Further details of the project components can be found in the project ESMF. 1.4. Environmental and social impacts associated with the project The SEP will engage stakeholders to discuss the impacts associated with the E&S project risks, such as: (i) environmental and community health and safety risks related to waste and pollution caused by the spraying of insecticides and COVID-19 and cholera infections. It is expected that mostly bio-pesticides will be used to neutralize hopper bands before they develop into adult swarms. To lessen the impact on honey producers, a lesser volume concentration of the chemical pesticides of what?? will be deployed in those areas. Community exposure to pesticides to what??could also happen through consumption of 2 contaminated food grown in sprayed areas and there is need to promote awareness and to ensure that communities respect the re-entry time for their livestock and withholding periods for their harvests. The principal objective of the ESMP is to minimize environmental and human health risks associated with locust control and implement health, environmental and safety measures to reduce risks to an acceptable minimum. At the end of the desert locust eradication campaign, soil, water and plant samples will be taken for pesticides residue analysis by a nationally or regionally accredited laboratory for; (a) preparing a comprehensive Pest and Pesticide Management Plan (PPMP), which would optimize the selection of control strategies, protection measures, and insecticides based on situational and environmental assessment; (b) providing safety and awareness training (e.g., handling, transport, storage) for spraying teams and other locust control personnel and (c) financing a public awareness campaign to keep the public informed about the possible environmental and health effects of insecticides, before, during and after locust control operations. All personnel will comply with community and safety plan for the prevention and mitigation of risks of contagion among communities of cholera and COVID-19. Communities will be informed about such risks and the appropriate mitigation measures. (ii) Risks related to the improper storage of pesticides. The pesticide-related equipment would be procured, used and maintained in conformity with FAO Directive on pesticide equipment, application and maintenance. The design of the vehicles with mounted sprayers that would be procured and utilized would have non- adjustable specifications, manufactured as a build-in module which cannot be used for another purpose. (iii) Risks related to occupational health associated with (a) handling and spraying of pesticides and (b) the risk of contagion with SARS-CoV-2 and cholera among personnel during implementation. All personnel involved in the project and exposed to pesticides (storage, transport, calibration, empty containers, handling, etc.), should have a health certificate, insurance, take an Acetyl choline esterase test before and at the end of desert locust eradication campaign, and should be trained on the appropriate use of PPE. testing of human health (especially logistical staff involved with handling, transporting and storing insecticides, and spraying teams) and soil and water for contamination from use of insecticides. Besides providing safety and awareness training (e.g., handling, transport, storage) for spraying teams and other locust control personnel on safe insecticides use, all personnel should adopt health and safety measures to prevent the spread of pathogens such as COVID-19 and cholera, in compliance with ESS2 and the recommendations of WHO. (iv) Risks related to mistargeting and the lack of transparency and favoritism in their screening of recipients of cash for works and in the livelihoood restoration programs. Farmers, beekeepers, livestock owners and other primary producers who have faced losses as a direct result of the desert locust crisis need urgent assistance to arrest the decline in their income and meet their production and consumption needs. These primary producers need to be identified and compensated for losses incurred through direct and immediate assistance measures to (a) prioritize inclusion of small farmers/ agricultural laborers that have suffered due to the locust crisis, and (b) incentivize communities to adopt public works activities that can contribute directly to restoration of losses incurred due to locust infestation. The SEP will provide clear information on eligibility criteria and grievances redress mechanisms, length and frequency of payments for cash-for-works, in compliance with ESS2. (v) environmental and community/workers health and safety risks related to c ash for work (CFW) for rehabilitation of community infrastructure associated with (a) waste generation and pollution caused by the construction/rehabilitation activities (b) occupational health and safety for community and workers (c) impacts related to the occupational health and improper use of provided productive assets kits. 3 It is expected that mostly all sub-projects under the cash for work will be assessed for the expected potential risks and risk identification will be applied before and during the implementation of the activities. OHS awareness sessions and toolbox talk will be organized to all the workers participated in the CFW activities by the SFD supervision teams. The site specific ESMP’s will be prepared before the implementation, ESMP consultation meeting will be organized with the stakeholder to document their concerns and suggested mitigation measures by the stakeholders. Emergency plans will be developed in consultation with the stakeholders and first aid kits will be distributed in all sub-projects’ sites. The principal objective of the SEP is to minimize environmental and human health risks associated with rehabilitation of community infrastructures and implement health, environmental and safety measures to reduce risks to an acceptable minimum. All personnel will comply with community and safety plan for the prevention and mitigation of risks of contagion among communities of cholera and COVID-19. Communities will be informed about such risks and the appropriate mitigation measures. (vi) Risks related to sexual abuse and exploitation typically associated with catastrophic events. Disaster contexts are often characterised by the aggravation of discriminatory norms, social inequalities and gender-based violence, particularly against women and girls. The SEP will engage stakeholders and communities about such risks and referral pathways and GRMs associated with the project to prevent and mitigate such risks. 1.5. Rationale and Objective of the Stakeholder Engagement Plan The proposed Project is being prepared under the World Bank’s Environment and Social Framework (ESF). As per the Environmental and Social Standard 10 (ESS10): Stakeholders Engagement and Information Disclosure, implementing agencies should provide stakeholders with timely, relevant, understandable and accessible information, and consult with them in a culturally appropriate manner, which is free of manipulation, interference, coercion, discrimination and intimidation. The SEP recognizes the importance of open and transparent engagement between the Borrower and project stakeholders as an essential element of good international practice. Effective stakeholder engagement can improve the environmental and social sustainability of projects, enhance project acceptance, and make a significant contribution to successful project design and implementation. Stakeholder engagement is an inclusive process conducted throughout the project life cycle. Where properly designed and implemented, it supports the development of strong, constructive, and responsive relationships that are important for successful management of a project’s environmental and social risks. The overall objective of this SEP is to define a plan of action for stakeholder engagement, including technically and culturally appropriate approach to public consultation and information disclosure, throughout the entire project cycle. The SEP outlines the ways in which the project team will communicate with stakeholders and includes a mechanism by which people can raise concerns, provide feedback, or make complaints about project activities. The involvement of different stakeholders, including the local population and farmers is essential to the success of the project to ensure smooth collaboration between project staff and local communities. 4 The present SEP will: • Establish a systematic approach to stakeholder engagement that will help Borrowers identify stakeholders and build and maintain a constructive relationship with them, in particular project- affected parties. • Assess the level of stakeholder interest and support for the project and to enable stakeholders’ views to be taken into account in project design and environmental and social performance. • Promote and provide means for effective and inclusive engagement with project-affected parties throughout the project life cycle on issues that could potentially affect them. • Ensure that appropriate project information on environmental and social risks and impacts is disclosed to stakeholders in a timely, understandable, accessible, and appropriate manner and format. • Provide project-affected parties with accessible and inclusive means to raise issues and grievances and allow Borrowers to respond to and manage such grievances. As such, the stakeholder engagement process will provide a dual-way system of communication, especially in regards of Components 1 and 2: 1). Improving locust surveillance which aims to provide early warning system, effective operations and assistance to affected and at-risk communities and subcomponent; 2) Livelihood Restoration through replacement of productive assets. The SEP is based on an understanding of the channels of communication that are most used and trusted by the affected population, including in the current context of active conflict and displacement, and provide recommendations for a more informed approach to community engagement. 2. Stakeholder Identification and Analysis Stakeholder analysis identifies and determines the likely relationship between the project and the different stakeholders. Stakeholders are directly or indirectly affected by a project, as well as those who may have interests in a project and/or the ability to influence its outcome, either positively or negatively. It is a useful tool for managing communication between the project team and stakeholders. Project stakeholders are defined as individuals, groups or other entities who: (i) Are impacted or likely to be impacted directly or indirectly, positively or adversely, by the Project (also known as ‘Project Affected Parties (PAP’s)’); and, (ii) May have an interest in the Project (‘Other Interested Parties (OIPs)’). They include individuals or groups whose interests may be affected by the Project and who have the potential to influence the Project outcomes in any way. In all phases of the project, cooperation and negotiation with stakeholders is required. Persons within the groups who act as legitimate representatives of their respective stakeholder group and entrusted by their fellow group members will be identified in the process of engagement. Community representatives may provide helpful insight into the local settings and act as main means for dissemination of the Project information and as a primary communication/liaison link between the Project and targeted communities and their established networks. Legitimacy of the community representatives can be verified by talking informally to a random sample of community members and heeding their views on who can be representing their interests in the most effective way. 2.1. Methodology Stakeholder analysis helps to know the perceptions, interests, need, and influence of actors on the project. Identifying the appropriate consultation methodology for each stakeholder throughout the 5 project lifecycle is necessary. In order to meet best practice approaches, the project will apply the following principles for stakeholder engagement: • Openness and life-cycle approach: public consultations for the project will continue during the whole project lifecycle from preparation through implementation. Stakeholder engagement will be free of manipulation, interface, coercion, and intimidation; • Informed participation and feedback: information will be provided and widely distributed among all stakeholders in an appropriate format; conducted based on timely, relevant, understandable and accessible information related to the project; opportunities provided to raise concerns and assure that stakeholder feedback is taken into consideration during decision making; • Inclusiveness and sensitivity: stakeholder identification is undertaken to support better communications and building effective relationships. The participation process for the projects is inclusive. All stakeholders are always encouraged to be involved in the consultation process. Equal access to information is provided to all stakeholders. Sensitivity to stakeholders’ needs is the key principle underlying the selection of engagement methods. Special attention is given to vulnerable groups, particularly women headed households, youth, elderly and the cultural sensitivities of diverse ethnic groups. Stakeholders of the proposed project can be Project Affected Parties (PAPs), Other Interested Parties (OIPs) and vulnerable groups as discussed below. 2.2. Project Affected Parties (PAPs) Project Affected Parties are those groups of people that are directly influenced (actually or potentially) by the project and/or have been identified as most susceptible to potential risks and impacts associated with the project and who need to be closely engaged including local community members and other parties that may be subject to direct impacts from the Project. Specifically, the following individuals and groups fall within this category: - Farmers, pastoralist and agro-pastoralists communities. - Community workers - Rural populations at large who lost crops, livestock and livelihoods. - IDPs (Internally displaced people) - Field officers directly involved in handling and spraying operations. - Populations at risk in areas in which spraying is carried out. - Local NGOs involved in mobilization and preparation of communities’ readiness for implementation. - Water Users Associations (WUA) as local resources and management - Contracted workers, consultants, scouts, vehicle and aircraft operators. 2.3. Other Interested Parties (OIPs) These are considered to have either high interest but low mandate or high mandate but low interest. Other interested parties of the projects’ stakeholders include: - Politicians (leadership in both north and south Yemen). - National Institutions that have role for this operation in Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation (MAI): - Plant Protection Directorate staff under MAI (project personnel) - Desert Locust monitoring and control center; and - Project Implementation Unit (PIU) - Social Fund for Development (SFD) which has extensive outreach to potential beneficiaries throughout the country and as an expert entity in agriculture and outreach. 6 - Tribal authorities - Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation (MAI) as surveillance/monitoring sensitization and provision of control personnel. - Main implementing agency UN FAO and WFP. - Ministry of Water and Environment (MWE). - Ministry of Public Health and Population (MPHP) - Agriculture Research Institutions. - Other local NGOs. - The public at large. 2.4. Disadvantaged/Vulnerable Individuals or Groups Disadvantaged or vulnerable individuals or groups are those peoples or groups highly vulnerable to potential project impacts and often do not have a voice to express their concerns or understand the impact and risk of the project. They may be disproportionately impacted or further disadvantaged by the project as compared with any other groups due to their vulnerable status, and usually require special arrangement to ensure their equal representation in the consultation and decision-making process associated with the project. Their vulnerability may stem from person’s origin, gender, age, health condition, disability, economic deficiency and financial insecurity, disadvantaged status in the community (e.g. minority groups), dependence on other individuals or natural resources, etc. Awareness raising and stakeholder engagement with disadvantaged or vulnerable individuals or groups on the project must consider such group’s or individuals’ sensitivities, concerns and cultural differences to ensure a full understanding of project activities and benefits. Engagement with these vulnerable groups and individuals often requires the application of specific measures and assistance aimed at the facilitation of their participation in the project related decision making so that their awareness of and input to the overall process are commensurate to those of the other stakeholders. Within the proposed Project, the vulnerable or disadvantaged groups may include, but not limited to, the following: • Historically underserved and disadvantaged communities in coastal plains along the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, western interior parts of the country, and central and eastern parts of the country. • Affected households those reliant on cropping activities and already facing food insecurity. • Elderly people in hard-hit areas and facing food shortages. • Female headed households. • Children and youth heads of households • Internally displaced persons. • People with disabilities. • Poor people, including ex-pastoralists. • Illiterate persons. Vulnerable groups within the communities affected by the project will be further confirmed and consulted during subsequent SEP updates to be prepared during implementation, as appropriate. 7 3. Stakeholder Engagement Program 3.1. Summary of Stakeholder Engagement during Project Preparation The speed and urgency with which this project has been developed to meet the growing threat of locust invasions in the country, combined with recently announced government restrictions on gatherings of people has limited the project’s ability to develop a complete SEP before this project is approved by the World Bank. The initial SEP was developed and disclosed prior to project appraisal, as the starting point of an iterative process to develop a more comprehensive stakeholder engagement strategy and plan. So far, the extent of the stakeholder engagement has been the Ministry’s involvement of the counties and other stakeholders to prepare the damage and losses assessments from the Locust invasion which informed the Contingency Emergency Response Component (CERC). During the project preparation and after the project approval, there has been enhanced stakeholder consultation during the preparation of the Pest Management Plan PMP and the Environmental and Social Management Framework ESMF. FAO in collaboration with Desert Locust Center under MoAI in the north and south conducted initial stakeholder consultation on the PMP during mid-September 2020. Stakeholders invited to this initial consultation were representatives of locust control staff in targeted governorates. The plant protection specialist nominated 23 key desert locust control staff. Total number of participants reached were 12 key staff. The consultation meetings were organized basically as a telephone questionnaire due to the COVID- 19 crisis and the subsequent restrictions imposed on gathering a maximum of four people at a time. After the stakeholders’ consultations, the issues raised have been integrated into the PMP and the ESMF. Some of the stakeholders’ environmental and social have several existing risks and concerns included: • Capacity limitations for implementing the PMP; • Absence of training thus far on the overall Environmental and Social Management issues and tools; • Lack of an environmental and social safeguard specialist, responsible for overall environmental and social management at the level of Desert Locust Control HQ and branches; • Lack of adequate pesticide storage in various parts of the country; • Lack of a solid waste management plan, pesticide disposal, and laboratories; • Expired pesticide incinerators and no presence of special containers for pesticides; • Lack of support to main beneficiaries (farmers, beekeepers, pastoralists, and nomads) who live in Desert Locust endemic areas to safeguard their livelihoods after the damage caused by increased locust infestation to agricultural production and pastures; • The presence of land mines in some conflict areas. In terms of health and environmental safety, treatments are carried out by trained agents, equipped with protective suits, and precautionary measures are taken, such as: avoidance of spraying in the case of strong winds; informing local populations in advance to cover wells and water sources; and using ultra- low volume sprayers whose calibration is regularly checked. Ultra-low volume is a spraying technique that makes it possible to apply very small quantities of pesticide (in the form of micro-droplets, in microns) per unit area (generally 1 l/ha) and to guarantee homogeneous spraying (thus avoiding excessively high concentrations of pesticides in certain areas). The details of this consultation are in the PMP. 8 Interview findings were documented to capture the views and concerns of key staff at the institutional level involved in locust control with regard to pesticide use, storage, solid waste handling mechanisms, institutional capacity, locust control practice, communication and knowledge of the safeguard tools, etc. A high-level mission from FAO HQ, representatives from the Commission for Controlling the Desert Locust in the Central Region, from Yemen MAI and from the FAO Yemen Office as well as stakeholders from politicians’ institutions both from the North and South had formal meetings during 10 to 20 November 2020, to disclose the project and to discuss their concerns and interests to implement, facilitate and follow up the project activities. Another round of consultation was made during the preparation of ESMF during early-December 2020. These consultations were designed for institutional and community levels. Total number of participants was nine. Five of them are involved in Desert Locust, Plant Protection and Extension Services leaderships and 4 are from local NGOs and WUAs. The consultation was organized as a questionnaire shared via WhatsApp group which was created for the consultation purpose due to the COVID-19 crisis. The participants were from EPA, MAI and plant protection directorate, and the WUAs were nominated by FAO as they were already established under FAO water interventions. Hence, the consultation was limited to stakeholders working in relation to MAI, EPA, plant protection and desert locust control at different levels as well as some representatives from the Water Users Associations WUA’s and NGOs in different targeted areas. The overall objective of this consultation was to gather their views on potential environmental and social impacts of the desert locust control and to document stakeholder concerns with specific reference to the planned project interventions. Institutional part held during the preparation of ESMF during early December 2020 was focused on gathering and checking out the following issues/questions: • Assessment on Government & Communities preparedness on pesticides sprays to control the locust plight: what are the efforts and schemes in place to cope with spraying of pesticide risks & impacts? • Evaluating the nature of proposed pesticides for locust control and checking safer alternatives for locust control. • Level of Government Agencies preparedness to cope with the cumulative risks and impacts of the plight, checking the actual measures (preventive & post) being carried out to ensure that the natural habitats are not polluted during pesticide spraying activities. • Assessment on existing institutional and capacity building efforts, evaluate the existing national level institutional and capacity building efforts arrangements on DL swarm control; checking the institutional arrangements, both at central and regional levels on the effective and efficient management of the Environmental, Social and Health and safety; and the availability of Environmental and Social Safeguards Specialists. • Assessment of technical support and communication with international organizations engaged in locust control, evaluate the technical support and communication means with FAO in terms of locust surveillance and control; checking coordination efforts with inter-agencies and countries in the region engaged in DL Control Programs, in terms of information sharing. Community part held during the preparation of ESMF during early December 2020 was focused on finding out the following issues/ questions: 9 • Assessment of communities’ preparedness on pesticides sprays to control the locust plight: what are the efforts and schemes in place to cope with spraying of pesticide risks & impacts?; checking for public awareness of the dangers (direct and indirect, short terms and longer term) of pesticides spray on neighbouring communities; inspect the effectiveness of the current Government and/or Community’s Strategy to effectively, and efficiently, cope with the DL swarms, and the extensive spray of pesticides in Yemen; check out the best traditional and agronomical practices used by community to control desert locust swarm; and find out their capacity regarding the training on the safe and secure usage, storage, and disposal of pesticide containers, etc. And the availability of proper storage facilities and solid and liquid waste management experience and plan, specifically pesticide containers disposal, in addition to the availability of clear procedures and practices in the safe and secure disposal of expired or leftover pesticides. • Assessment of Community Outreach efforts, check the community-driven awareness raising efforts made on the plight of desert locust control; the awareness raising efforts made by community leaders/members on the safe use and application of pesticides on locust control in their individual farms; the awareness raising efforts made towards the communities on the (i) existence of the environmental and social management instruments (ESMF, RPF, PMP, LMP, SEP, etc.); and ongoing and foreseen communication means in Yemen. • Stakeholders environmental, social and CHS concerns of this project. Interview results documented the views and concerns of participants at the institutional and community levels in terms of locust control with regards to pesticide use, storage, solid waste handling mechanisms, institutional capacity, indigenous locust control practice, communication, and knowledge of the safeguards tools, etc. In specific relation to the assessment of communities’ preparedness regarding the efforts and schemes to cope with the spraying of pesticide risks & impacts, the following were raised during the December 2020 consultation: • In Hadhramout, there are several channels of communication used by local committees as well as local councils with agriculture offices. This included holding awareness sessions by the Agriculture Office, was albeit limited, and conducting in-situ plans by spray control agencies. For example, in previous years, locust swarms were sprayed in several villages while employing the following measures: 1. Communicating with families to not take their livestock out; 2. Notifying beekeepers of the necessity to keep the bees away from spraying sites; 3. Advising people to stay home during spraying. • In Abyan, the executive manager of STEPS (NGO) stated that rural societies do not have a specific, clear, and systematic strategy to avoid the risks resulting from natural disasters such as the locust and other plights. There are some unspecified traditional practices undertaken by the community such as notify others in the surrounding villages about the spraying campaign through destinations, mosque preachers, or means of communication such as communication by local committees as well as local councils with agriculture offices. • In Sana’a, the WUA chairman expressed that, as the community members, we still lack a complete monographic study about locust (atmosphere of locust life, suitable time and place to lay eggs, propagation speed, and ways of controlling the locust plight), so it’s too difficult to show the efforts 10 and schemes to cope with such risks and impacts. Further details of this consultation are available in the ESMF. The results of update (2) stakeholders’ consultation are documented and will continue to be updated during the overall project period. Please refer to annexes (5 to 9) for SEP 2. 3.2. Summary of Project Stakeholder Needs, Methods, and Tools for Stakeholder Engagement The FAO Desert Locust Control Guideline notes that the public must be informed about the impacts of pesticide before, during and after locust control operation including the hiring of specialized communication and information specialist as part of the environment and social team. The guideline states: It is important to keep the public informed about possible environmental and health effects of insecticides, before, during and after locust control operations. This is to ensure that precautionary measures are taken whenever needed but also to reduce any misunderstandings that may exist about the risks of locust control. It is suggested that a specialized communication and information officer must be assigned to this task, especially if the campaign is expected to be large (FAO, 2003). Stakeholder engagement activities will take into consideration the contextual factors of a) conflict, violence and fragility, and b) the additional threats posed by COVID-19 and cholera outbreak risks. Years of war, destruction and inter-communal fighting have gradually eroded social cohesion and trust. According the 2016 evaluation by the Yemen Community Engagement Working group (Simone E. Carter, 2-16), stakeholder engagement in conflict-affected areas in Yemen are challenging. During Focus groups discussions, although the majority of community members indicated that they felt involved and able to influence humanitarian response, only 15% know how to provide feedback or to lodge a complaint to humanitarian agencies – the percentage is very similar between IDP and Host – and only 11% have ever provided feedback – 13% amongst IDPs and 9% amongst Host. Amid the small percentage of people who did provide feedback or a complaint, 40% felt their opinion or concern was taken into account. This percentage dropped amongst IDPs as 71% of them reported feeling their feedback was not taken into account. Trusted and Preferred Communication Channels Cell phone calling (59%) and word of mouth (56%) were the most used channels of communication by the affected population. Community volunteers (32%), radio (25%) and WhatsApp (24%) were also reported as frequently used. WhatsApp were used by 26% of IDP population. Television was also commonly used but less than the above listed channels. TV and radio were most widely used during the early morning and evening times. The use of these communication channels closely relates with the level of trust people bestow upon them. However, both television and TV, even if widely used, were considered less trustworthy due to the perceived politicized nature of the information. Notice boards are the least used mode of communication both for IDPs and Host. Overall, word of mouth (54%) and cell phones calling (52%) remain the most trusted sources of information. However, amongst IDPs cell phone calling is the most trusted and word of mouth is the most trusted among Host community members. FDGs showed that received information is from friends, relatives, community leaders or knowledgeable members of the community [e.g., the religious leaders]. 11 Community volunteers are considered the third most trustworthy source of information (36%) and radio the fourth (23%). All the above listed three modes of communication are both highly utilized and trusted. Humanitarian staff members are used by 12% of the affected populations while they are considered a trusted source of information by 23%. This difference not only showcases the perceived neutrality of humanitarian agencies but also provides a renewed space for humanitarian actors to engage with the affected population and be the interlocutor between the provision of humanitarian assistance and knowledge that the affected population have of its modus operandi. In addition, a precautionary approach will be taken to the consultation process to prevent infection and/or contagion, given the highly infectious nature of COVID-19. The following are some considerations for selecting channels of communication, in light of the current COVID-19 situation and the current threat of cholera outbreak in the country: • Avoid public gatherings (taking into account national restrictions or advisories), including public hearings, workshops and community meetings; • If smaller meetings are permitted/advised, conduct consultations in small-group sessions, such as focus group meetings and deploy hygiene practice. If not permitted or advised, make all reasonable efforts to conduct meetings through online channels; • Diversify means of communication and rely more on social media and online channels. Where possible and appropriate, create dedicated online platforms and chatgroups appropriate for the purpose, based on the type and category of stakeholders; • Employ traditional channels of communications (TV, newspaper, radio, dedicated phone-lines, and mail) when stakeholders to do not have access to online channels or do not use them frequently. Traditional channels can also be highly effective in conveying relevant information to stakeholders, and allow them to provide their feedback and suggestions; • Where direct engagement with project affected people or beneficiaries is necessary, identify channels for direct communication with each affected household via a context specific combination of email messages, mail, online platforms, dedicated phone lines with knowledgeable operators; • Each of the proposed channels of engagement should clearly specify how feedback and suggestions can be provided by stakeholders. According to FAO (2003) guideline, during the campaign planning phase, detailed stakeholder’s communication strategy will be prepared and put in place in which the following issues are addressed: • Location of treatments, general information on potential risks of pesticides, precautionary measures, re-entry intervals, pre-harvest intervals, etc. • Appropriate and effective type of communication method to reach the target groups (e.g., radio, television, newspapers, extension service, locust survey/control teams). • Means of informing the public in case of emergencies (e.g., insecticide spills, human intoxications, etc). • Reach all affected villagers in the operation area including medical information sources in case of intoxications. • In line with the above precautionary approach, different engagement methods are proposed and cover different needs of the stakeholders as below (FAO, 2003): 12 Table 1 Engagement Approach and Application Engagement Approach Appropriate application of the approach Correspondences (Phone, Emails) Distribute information to Government officials, NGOs, Local Government, and organisations/agencies. Invite stakeholders to meetings and follow-up Focus group meetings and individual Present Project information to a group of stakeholders meetings Allow stakeholders to provide their views on targeted baseline information. Consult stakeholders’ men and women during the need assessment and ESMP preparation for CfW activities, women-only meetings will be arranged by assign female consultants. Build relationships with communities. Record responses Project website Present project information and progress updates https://www.fao.org/environmental- Disclose a non-technical summary and other relevant project documentation social-standards/disclosure- in a form and language understandable to local stakeholders. portal/en/?page=8&ipp=8 Direct communication with affected Share information on timing of spraying. crops/asset owners (If applicable in Agree options for removing treated locust. subproject investment under component 2.2.2) Visibility/ Signage Share information by suitable method, respecting social distancing, on project activities; project investment location; project disclosure; Educational materials on OHS and ESS Project leaflet Brief project information to provide regular update. Site specific project information. 3.3. Summary of Stakeholder Engagement during Project Implementation 3.3.1. Summary of the Consultations during the Preparation of Site-Specific PMP’s Field groups from FAO, in collaboration with Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation (MAI) represented by Desert Locust operation teams from the DLMCC, conducted initial consultations with the local community in the surveyed areas meant for inclusion under the DL control operations. The teams also informed the consulted participants to fill in the questionnaire to find out the current practice of DL control. In total 21 farmers and 40 desert locust workers were consulted in the north & south till end of 2021, and 47 desert locust workers were consulted in the south between January-March 2022), see annexes (5 -9). The overall objective of this initial consultation was to anticipate the expected impacts, gaps, current pesticide practice to document stakeholders concerns and lessons learned with reference to desert locust control planned activities and to anticipate the mitigations measures, the stakeholders’ public consultation was conducted on the use of pesticides. After the consultations, the issues raised were integrated into the site-specific PMP. The consultation meetings were organized as individual meeting questionnaires and sent by the team via WhatsApp groups during the November and December 2021 in both south and north and during the January to March 2022 in south only. Moreover, several training workshops were conducted for the desert locust workers on the operation and maintenance of control sprayers and equipment management system between June-November 2022. Please see table 5 in annex 5 for more details on all trainings that were conducted during 2022. 13 3.3.1.1 Consultations with Local community Farmers in the Targeted Areas till End of 2021 This consultation was conducted with the 21 participants from local communities in the trgeted areas to have their opinon and concerns afftecting thier plant and pasture. The Key finding/concerns rasied: 1- All consulted local communities (21 people) said that the desert locust caused damages and loses to them in means of eating all plants and pasture. 2- All consulted local community (21 people) said that they did not face any cases of poisons. 3- No concernes raised because no pesticide activities were carried due to the presence of bees and sheep and the objection was raised by beekeepers and livestock producers not to spray the area. For more detales see annex 6. 3.3.1.2 Consultations with Desert Locust Workers till End of 2021 This consultation was conducted with the 40 participants from desert locust workers in the targeted areas to have their opinion and recommendations about the training conducted on the environment and social safeguard, pesticides transport and recognizing the difficulties and problems faced by the local population. The Key finding/concerns rasied: 1- Out of the 40 desert locust workers consulted 65.0% said that they received training and 25% of them stated they did not receive any training on applying environmental health and safety standards before, during and after Desert Locust control campaigns. 2- The desert locust workers recommended increasing the awareness of the community about the dangers of the desert locust and the benefits of control operation. 3- The desert locust workers are recommended that to have training in the ESS. 4- The desert locust workers asked to provide them by emergency and medical check plans. For more details see annex 7. 3.3.1.3 Consultation Conducted by the Monitoring & Evaluations Team Performed in 2021 Table 2 Summary of the Consultation Conducted by the M&E Team Performed in 2021 No. Monitoring Activities Date of Monitoring Visit 1- -Visited MAIF in Aden, Sayoun, Taribah, Al Mukalla 1-12 September 2021 -Visited Agriculture Training Center in Sayoun 2- -Conducted meetings with the officials of the MAIF in Aden, specifically with the new DLCC director who was recently assigned, to provide him and his team with background information about the Desert Locust Response Project funded by the WB and to outline planned activities. -Field survey and control operations, procurement of items and the 7-10 November 2021 selection of geographical location to establish the DLCC in Aden and the two sub-bases in Shabwah and Sayoun. -Aimed to coordinate with the MAIF for the execution of the project activities in the areas of southern Yemen. 14 The Major outcomes of consultation: - It is recommended that Aden central unit of desert locust to share the reports with the relevant General Management of Plants Protection (GMPP) for each governorate for their reference and internal use. - It is highly recommended to have meetings with the desert locust teams to discuss the operations, challenges and recommendations on a regular basis. - There are local initiatives to respond to desert locust that can be strengthened. - Awareness material about the desert locust, their impact, safety measures, and other aspects should be disseminated to populations. For more information see annex (8). 3.3.2. Consultation with MAI in the South and other Authorities during 2022 Multiple meetings with officials in the south were conducted to discuss the implementation of the project activities and some of the meetings were documented by signing Minutes of Meeting (MoM) and followed by the project management. See annex 12. For example, the main outcomes of one of the meetings in Aden is as follows: ➢ Custom clearances for the Drum Crushers were agreed on by H. E. the minister of MAIF. ➢ The minister of MAIF agreed to allocate the piece of land belonging to the ministry for the establishment of DLCC in Aden. ➢ DLCC manager agreed on the proposed training program, procurement of pesticides and the other items. ➢ Developed GIS tools including RAMSESv3 plugin and Desert Locust data Spatial Query tools were installed on MAC Laptop used by the Desert Locust Information Officer in Aden for data management. A new survey app was also installed on his mobile and instructions of use were given to him, and he was recommended to distribute it to his colleagues in the field to use for collecting field survey and control data, for the sake of accuracy and speed of data collection. ➢ Awareness sessions will be given to public and local communities by the agricultural extension section in Aden to proceed with the next DL control operations. In Sana’a, it was agreed to develop a joint working mechanism for the implementation of various project activities and to prepare a joint committee to discuss the action plan. See annex 11. 3.3.3. Consultation with Desert Locust Workers in the North during 2023 The FAO E&S Officers conducted training and awareness campaign sessions on the ESF materials for (ESMF, LMP, SEP, PMP (ESMP), and gender, for 51 desert locust workers in the north to have their opinion and recommendations about the training conducted on the environment and social risks, pesticides disposal and recognizing the difficulties and problems faced by the local population. For more information see annex (13). The key findings/concerns raised: - Desert locust Workers stopped by the beekeepers in the field. - Requesting a Proper temporary storage area for the pesticides - Lack of awareness in the community and this forms a challenge to the workers to use pesticides in some areas. - No cooperation from the community (e.g., they refuse to move their bees temporarily to use a safe area, moving their animal to a different safe pastures) 15 3.3.4. Training for the South Desert Locust Workers during 2022 3.3.4.1 Training of Trainers (TOT) on Desert Locust Survey and Control Operation A five-day training of trainers’ workshop was conducted from 30 January to 3 February 2022, for the desert locust staff from the agricultural offices in Aden. The workshop focused on the Environmental and Health safety Standards and Environmental and Social Safeguards during the desert locust control campaigns. The number of participants attended is 23. The Major outcome: ➢ The participants from the southern governorates were trained on all the topics included in the program. Trainees had shown a high-level of response to the presented topics. ➢ Trainees had obtained 10.5 out of 25 as an average of grades in the pre-assessment of survey, while in the post-assessment they obtained 20.5 out of 25. Whereas they had obtained 8.0 out of 25 as an average of grades in the pre-assessment of control, while in the post assessment they obtained 21 out of 25. For more details see annex (9.1). 3.3.4.2 Training on Environmental and Social Safeguard and Environmental and Health Standard (EHS) during the Desert Locust Control Operations During the five-day training workshop that was conducted between 6-10 February 2022, for the desert locust in Aden, covered the Environmental and social safeguards tools and health and safety standards. The training included capacity and awareness for 24 desert locust workers on the ESS and Health and Safety (HS) issues. The Major outcome: • Overview of Desert Locust Response Project, Environmental and Social Safeguards Instruments. • Introduction about the Environmental and Health Standards (EHS) during the Desert Locust. • Review the executive guide for the EHS. • Risks (identification and types), Monitoring (identification – objectives – procedures – types). • Ecological Chemical Monitoring – Sample Types – Methods of Sampling – Biological Indicators. For more details see annex (9.2) 3.3.4.3 Awareness session Summary, till March 2022 The awareness campaign started on 10 March 2022 and ended on 31 March 2022 for a period of 20 days with an itinerary for all teams working in the targeted areas with a total number of beneficiaries (2,653) for the governorates of Aden, Lahj, Abyan and Shabwa. The Major outcome: • Increasing the waste and Desert Locust awareness to the local community • Descriptions of the mitigation plan and the PMP • Precautions measurers that need to the security situation. For more details see annex (9.3) 16 Table 3 Summary of the Consultation Conducted for the South Desert Locust Workers in 2022 No. Awareness and Training Conducted Number of Date of training participants and Awareness 1- -Conducted Training of Trainers (TOT) course and a workshop 23 30 January to 3 for staff from the agricultural offices focusing on the February 2022 Environmental and Health safety Standards and Environmental and Social Safeguards during the desert locust control campaigns. -Conducted meetings for the preparation of the desert locust contingency plans. 2- - Environmental and social Safeguards training for the Desert 24 6-10 February 2022 Locust workers in the southern governorates. -Conducted training for the use of bio-pesticides (green muscle). 3 Awareness session summary 2,653 10-31 March 2022 3.3.4.4 Awareness session Summary, from January till April 2023 The awareness campaign started on 01 January 2023 and ended on 03 April 2023 with an itinerary by all teams working in the targeted areas with a total number of beneficiaries (32,365) in the governorates of Shabwah, Sana’a, Lahj, Hajjah, Amran, Al-Mahweet, Al-Hodiedah, Al-Amana, Aden and Abyan. For more details see annex (14) The Major outcome: • Increasing the awareness of the local community on the cumulative waste due Desert Locust spray • Descriptions of the mitigation plan and the PMP • Precautions measurers required to the security situation. 17 Yemen Desert Locust Response Project (P174170) Updated Stakeholder Engagement Plan (SEP) 3.3.5. Training for the Desert Locust Workers during 2023 No. Training Conducted Number of Training Date of participants Location Monitoring Visit 1 Training on the Technique of blood testing & 21 Aden 22 – 24 Jan. analyzing of Acetyl Cholinesterase (AChE) – 2023 Test-mate Kit 2 Train of Trainers (ToT) on DL survey and 22 Sana’a 5 – 9 Feb. 2023 control Operations 3 Environmental and Health Standards During 26 Sana’a 12 – 16 Feb. DL campaigns, Materials for the ESS (ESMF, 2023 LM, SEP, PMP (ESMP) and Gender. Conducted consultation with the DL workers in North, the results with be updated in the SEP 3. 4 Graduate Students on Desert Locust survey 15 Female Aden 19 – 23 Feb. and Control Operations 2023 16 Male 5 Workshop for Preparing National 15 Aden 25 Feb– 01 Comprehensive Strategy and Contingency March. 2023 Plans for the Desert Locust Control 6 Workshop for Preparing National 14 Sana’a 20 – 24 May. Comprehensive Strategy and Contingency 2023 Plans for the Desert Locust Control 7 Survey and Control Measures of the desert 23 AlHodeidah 18 – 22 June. locust. 2023 3.3.6. Training on GBV/SEA/SH mitigation and prevention for the Desert Locust Workers in South area during 2023 The training was conducted in October 2023, for the desert locust staff from the agricultural offices in Aden. The training focused on the GBV/COC during the desert locust control campaigns. The number of participants attended is (80) Male: (44) and female: (36). For more information see annex (17). The Major outcome: 1- Increased Knowledge in GBV/SEA/SH 2- Discussed the risk and root causes of GBV/SEA/SH 3- Increased awareness on different types of GBV 4. Proposed Strategy for Information Disclosure and Consultation Process The strategy for information disclosure and consultation may vary depending on the regional and local context including the changing situation of COVID-19. However, it will be important that the different activities are inclusive and culturally sensitive, thereby ensuring vulnerable groups outlined above will have the chance to participate in the Project benefits and contained from potential pesticide risks. This 18 can include, among others, household-outreach activities, group discussion, use of local radios and the use of verbal communication or pictures, etc. While country-wide awareness campaigns will be established, area specific communication and awareness raising consultation might be conducted when combating infestation of locust in a given locality. Stakeholder engagement is an ongoing process. The FAO and the local implementing partners MAI and SFD will conduct proper consultation with the community members and other concerned stakeholders before, during and after the spray of pesticide, as well as before and during the implementation of CfW activities and distribution of productive assets kits using communication channels outlined above or deemed appropriate. During preparation and implementation of subcomponents 2.1 and 2.2, on livelihood protection and rehabilitation, communities will be consulted, and their full participation sought guided by FAO and SFD representatives’ approach and structure. In addition, consultations will be conducted during the preparation of ESMF/ESMPs. The draft and final, ESMF/ESMPs and SEP will be disclosed prior to formal consultations. The approaches taken will thereby ensure that information is meaningful, timely, and accessible to all affected stakeholders, use of different languages including addressing cultural sensitivities, as well as challenges deriving from illiteracy or disabilities, tailored to the differences in geography, livelihoods and way of life. The project will also ensure the establishment of a Grievance Redress Mechanism. Annex 2 summarized the proposed strategy for stakeholder’s consultation during the project stages. 4.1. Response for the Covid-19 During Implementation the Desert Locust Project Like all countries in the world, Yemen is facing alarming threats from the global COVID-19 pandemic. The gravity of the situation is worrying, as Yemen is a fragile and a post-conflict country with very weak health systems and high levels of illiteracy. And here the most important points that employee must adhere to: FIRST: Employees should be trained on the symptoms of COVID-19 and how to deal with COVID-19 situations. Staff: Conduct a training on other preventive measures in case of an outbreak of coronavirus disease (COVID- 19) Personnel safety procedures: The employee needs to stay at home (or work from home) if they have a mild cough or a low-grade fever (37.3°C or more). The employee needs to stay at home (or work from home) if he/she is using certain medications such as paracetamol/acetaminophen, ibuprofen or aspirin, which may mask the symptoms of infection. Continuing to provide awareness through the communication channels used in the workplace. For cases who need to stay at home (or work from home) if they have only mild symptoms of (COVID-19). MEASURES TO BE OBSERVED OUTSIDE THE PREMISES AND IN THE FIELD: ✓ Avoid poorly ventilated spaces and crowds. ✓ Always wear mask in congested places. ✓ Avoid close contact with people who are sick. 19 ✓ Wash your hands after leaving a public place. ✓ Monitor your health daily. ✓ Take precautions when you travel, or while on the movement for awareness. ✓ Be alert for covid-19 symptoms and test to prevent spread to others. It is important: Use of PPE Employers should check their industry regulations and may be required to select and provide employees with properly fitting and sanitary PPE that will effectively protect them against hazards. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends wearing cloth face covering in public settings where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain. If a task or work requires an employee to contact or be contacted by a person of unknown health or if the work or task requires touching a surface of unknown sanitary condition, a face mask and disposable gloves should be worn. All employees must be trained in the proper donning, use, removal, and disposal of single use gloves. Hands should be washed or sanitized immediately after glove removal. Social Distancing As much as possible, employees should maintain a separation distance of at least 6 feet. However, many field tasks require more than one person. Increased Cleaning and Sanitation: Frequent handwashing is one of the best ways to avoid infection with the virus. However, soap and running water are often unavailable in the field. Using hand sanitizer is an acceptable alternative until hands can be washed with soap and running water. The hand sanitizer should contain at least 60% alcohol. Contracted Work ✓ In most cases, a contractor is required to perform the work under contract in a safe and healthy manner. ✓ It falls upon the entity to enforce proper health and safety practices. Any contractor failing to work in a safe and healthy manner can be asked to stop work until the proper health and safety practices are utilized. ✓ It is recommended that this matter be discussed with legal counsel prior to demanding a work stoppage. MUST KNOW: ✓ That some people are Asymptomatic—they do not show symptoms, but they are infected and can transmit the virus. ✓ Staff who are feeling well but have sick family members with COVID-19 are to also report the situation and should stay isolated at home. ✓ It is also important to recognize personal risk factors. Certain colleagues, including those with underlying conditions such as heart or lung disease, chronic kidney disease requiring dialysis, liver disease, diabetes, immune deficiencies, or obesity, are at higher risk of developing more serious complications from COVID-19. ✓ Staff with COVID-19 symptoms should notify the FAO COVID-19 focal points and their immediate supervisors, report on their potential contact case for “contact tracing� and isolate themselves at 20 home from work to prevent or reduce the risk of transmission of the virus. A negative PCR result is required prior resuming coming to the office. ✓ Staff who have a known exposure to someone with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 should be tested. ✓ Through FAO Yemen COVID-19 focal points, staff can receive guidance on how to proceed in case of dealing with severe COVID-19 induced disease and or shall provide the Emergency medical contacts depending on the duty station of the staff. 4.2. Reporting Back to Stakeholders Stakeholders will be kept informed as the project develops, especially regarding guidelines on operations in line with health and safety procedures and taking into consideration the COVID -19 guidelines and restriction during the period. This will include reporting on project environmental and social performance and implementation of the stakeholder engagement plan and grievance mechanism. This will be important for the wider public, but specifically critical for the directly impacted community members. The SEP defines the approach for communication and engagement about the technology used by the project to minimize the impact on the environment, animals, bees and plants. Given the use of new technology; such as, satellite maps, drones, eLocust3, GPS enabled cameras and meta-data analysis and climate information for locust risk mapping to better pinpoint outbreaks and to aid in damage assessments and response programming there is a need to educate stakeholders. The cultural sensitivities, remoteness and isolation particularly in areas unfamiliar with drone surveillance or different purpose of drones, the SEP should communicate that the drones are being used for beneficial purpose to identify outbreaks and assess damages, to better enable response programming. Resources and responsibilities for stakeholder engagement activities The FAO will be responsible for the implementation of the activities in this SEP and will work closely with MAI and its relevant departments and SFD agriculture unit. The Locust Response Project will allocate adequate resources for the implementation of the SEP. Whereas, the project allocated budget for the preparation of the safeguard tools like ESMPs, livelihoods assessment, community consultation and training of experts. These studies will inform the project approach of SEP. The financing will be further used for producing communication materials, including local radio content, and traditional information sharing channels for effective information sharing with communities pre, during and post spraying and documentation. 5. Management Functions and Responsibilities The FAO of the UN will be the implementing entity responsible for project activities. FAO will work closely with the Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation (MAI) and its relevant directorates and SFD. The Plant Protection Directorate of the MAI in Sana’a Governorate is mandated nationally to lead pest management support service (PMSS) in the country including Desert Locust. The Sana’a Directorate will work with the plant protection directorates in Aden and five branches in Hodeida, Shabwa, Marib, Hadramout and Almahra governorates and SFD branches. The national-level Project Coordination Unit (PCU) and the two Project Coordination Teams (PCTs) to be established at the governorate levels with FAO and SFD representatives in turn will cooperate in project coordination and implementation. The MAI agriculture branch offices will play role in project implementation. MAI Plant Protection Directorate and SFD agriculture unit will be responsible for carrying out stakeholder engagement activities, while working closely together with branch offices, etc. 21 MAI will also be responsible for implementing Components 1 and 3 given their roles and responsibilities for locust response in Yemen. The SFD will be responsible for implementing Component 2. However, the inner-ministerial, detailed institutional approach is at this point not agreed on yet and an update will need to be included here prior to disbursements for Component 2. The stakeholder engagement activities will be documented through quarterly and annual progress reports and shared with the World Bank. 6. Grievance Mechanism The project will prepare a Redress Mechanism (GM) through which, the project affected parties as well as other interested persons, local communities and the public are able to raise issues on the project. The GM should guarantee privacy and confidentiality on the part of the aggrieved party. The GM developed for the project under both FAO and SFD implementation can be found in Annex 3 and Annex 4, respectively. The main objective of a Grievance Mechanism (GM) is to assist and resolve complaints in a timely, effective and efficient manner. Project-level GMs can provide the most effective way for people to raise issues and concerns about project that affect them. The project-level GM will be culturally appropriate, effective, accessible and should be known to the affected population. FAO and SFD will conduct awareness-raising for the affected communities about the presence of the GM and inform their right to file any concerns, complaints and issues they have related to the project. (Complaint cards were distributed during awareness campaigns). Please refer to section 6.2 for more details on distributed cards. The GM provides a transparent and credible process for fair, effective and lasting outcome. It also builds trust and cooperation as an integral component of broader community consultation that facilitates corrective actions. Specifically, the GM: ▪ Provides affected people with avenues for making a complaint or resolving any dispute that may arise during the project implementation; ▪ Ensures that appropriate and mutually acceptable redress actions are identified and implemented to the satisfaction of complainants; and ▪ Avoids the need to resort to judicial proceedings. While there are three types of GM: 1) the project-wide GM handling grievances and feedback related to the project, 2) GBV GM which follows a different channel where e.g., confidentiality and a survivor- centered approach are critical as indicated in the GBV action plan and 3) a worker’s GM specifically related to labor issues as stated in the LMP. The project may use the same channels to receive the complaints but will use different procedures to deal with depending on the type of the grievance. During 2022, FAO GM received 8 complaints/inquiries which are classified as moderate and all of them were resolved and closed. The reason for the low number of grievances is because there are no control operations in the field and there is no locust devastation near the populated areas, see table (4). In 2023, FAO GM received 36 of complaints and resolved them all. Moreover, the low grievance rate is due to our partners MAI /MAIF that identify and resolve issues before they become formal complaints. This demonstrates FAO GM's capability in handling complaints and proactively avoiding problems through monitoring and collaborations that promote transparency and accountability, see table (4). 22 Table 4 Complaints Received by FAO GM for YDLRP (2021-2023) Complains related to measures Addressed Year Month Quantity Criticality implemented by (Y/N) 2021 Dec. FAO 1 LOW Y Jan. FAO 2 Moderate Y Feb. FAO 2 Moderate Y Mar. FAO 1 Moderate Y 2022 Jun. FAO 1 Moderate Y Jul. FAO 1 Moderate Y Oct. FAO 1 Moderate Y Feb. FAO 2 Moderate Y Mar. FAO 13 Moderate Y Jun. FAO 3 Moderate Y 2023 Jul. FAO 4 Moderate Y Aug. FAO 4 Moderate Y Sep. FAO 1 Moderate N Total 36 6.1. Approach to GM Establishment Grievance redress committee will be established at the district level and governorate level to ensure accessibility and transparency of the GM. If an effective and functional grievance redress committee exists at district or governorate level, the exiting GM will serve as a location for addressing grievances related to the locust response project with provision of appropriate training for the committee members regarding the requirement in the project. FAO and SFD will develop and implement a GM guideline that details the procedure, timing, indicative committee members, etc as defined in the ESCP. Resources will be allocated for the GM. The complaints recorded, resolved and referred will be reported quarterly and annually together with the environmental and social implementation performance report. FAO has its already established GM, a communication mechanism to build trust and confidence with local communities by promoting a culture of transparency and accountability. The steps to apply the GM from PAP perspective will be as follows: • During the awareness sessions and sensitizing activities conducted to PAP about the project (objectives, activities, services, criteria, and other aspects), focus will be given to the GM and the different channels by which beneficiaries can reach FAO GM or other mechanisms of relevant stakeholders including local authorities. The awareness will also include the distribution of FAO leaflets that include details and instructions about FAO GM. (Complaint cards were distributed in the targeted areas) 23 • When PAP provides complaints or feedback, FAO GM assigned staff will be receiving the complaints and feedback according to a specific Standard Operating Procedure (SOP). It includes steps for logging the complaints, analyzing and categorizing, referring and following up, resolving, and communicating the PAP with feedback. • PAP will have different channels to reach FAO GM or other relevant stakeholders’ mechanisms, including phone calls and face-to-face discussions during field visits or project partners, allowing illiterate PAP to deliver their complaints or feedback. During field visits, FAO and its partners will provide verbal messages about the GM for illiterate PAP and ensure they understand how to reach out if they have any complaints or feedback. The role of the community committees will be utilized - when applicable – to deliver feedback from FAO and its partners to illiterate PAP. • Local authorities will be engaged in the GRM and have important roles in sensitizing the communities about the mechanisms in place to receive complaints and feedback, as well as to respond and address received complaints through the available channels with authorities. Letters of Agreements (LoAs) with the Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation (MAI) will include some parts highlighting the importance of activating MAI’s complaints channels to receive any complaints from the field. The role of other local authorities such as local councils, district managers, SCMCHA representatives in DFA areas’ districts, and other relevant authorities will be involved and can receive complaints from PAP and refer them to MAI or FAO to be addressed. In addition, FAO team will also provide capacity building to MAI’s extension service staff, who will be in direct contact with PAP and increase their awareness about the GRM. • FAO will ensure responding and resolving complaints at a field level as needed through the available channels and mechanisms. The role of authorities and their mechanisms will be utilized to enhance timeliness and effectiveness of the response to PAP complaints and feedback. In close consultation and coordination with FAO project team and relevant authorities, field units and staff from MAI will address complaints that can be resolved locally. MAI’s operation units will share their regular reports to FAO, which will include actions to address any received complaints, which FAO GRM staff will also log in FAO GRM. Details of FAO BFM / GRG are included in Annex 3. • FAO maintains confidentiality at all times and any beneficiary wishing to make a formal complaint about FAO’s programme and/or ways of working is able to do so in an accessible way. Staff treats complaints with respect by listening, accepting and recording. This matter is reflected in numerous materials that guide the FAO GRM, such as: − “Rest assured that the Organization makes sure that your personal information is confidential and will never be shared with anyone other than employees concerned.� (GRM leaflet); − “Ensure confidentiality of all complaints and shall not share complaints with others.� (Code of Conduct for the operator in charge of recording complaints, FAO GRM Standard Operating procedures). − “In the case of sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA) complaints, confidentiality and safety measures regarding the complainant should be in place. Therefore, upon receipt of the complaint, sharing of this sensitive information should be on a need-to-know basis, i.e., only those strictly necessary for the process of SEA complaints handling should be involved.� (FAO GRM Standard Operating procedures). − “FAO values all received feedbacks and ensures confidentiality.� (Auto-reply from FAO Yemen GRM dedicated email address). • Disclosure of the names is possible only with the consent of the complainant and only to the respective staff members, and only if it is needed to help to resolve the issue. Such a consent will be collected while recording the complaint in the system. FAO GRM accepts also anonymous grievances, 24 especially if the nature of the complaint is critical. Prior proceeding with resolution, the validity of the complaint will be verified and then communicated to respective staff or Units for follow up and resolution. • SFD have their own Complaints Handling Mechanism (CHM) as part of an ongoing move to improve its accountability for managing, responding to and monitoring complaints within its Programs. • The accumulated experience in SFD to respond and interact with all partners and beneficiaries enables it to improve and adopt an efficient CHM, focusing on institutionalizing the experience in dealing with complaints and mainstream it in the system context including MIS. • The following are the most significant objectives of SFD CHM: − Improve accountability to SFD partners and beneficiaries. − Increase the level of beneficiaries’ satisfaction with the delivery of services and enhance the beneficiaries /SFD relationship. − Provide an efficient, fair, and accessible mechanisms for resolving beneficiaries’/partners complaints. − Guide SFD staff in handling complaints. − Allow to rectify mistakes, alert to problems, and help to continuously learn and improve. • SFD have a team around 14 persons who are dedicated to GRM in HQ and all branches. The system enables receiving anonymous complaints and the system has many channels of reporting complaints as below: - Project site boxes - SMS - Hotline - Face to face - Emails - Social media - Fax - P.O box - Online complaint- https://chm.sfd-yemen.org/ar/ • Details of SFD CHM channels are in Annex 4. All complaints received collected and registered in their CHM system. And SFD reported to FAO quarterly of the complaints received classified by type, status and action taken. • SFD deals with all concern and seriousness towards complaints and reports of exploitation, abuse, sexual harassment and other cases of gender-based violence in accordance with SFD's policies, all measures are handled with confidentiality. And we ensure that complainants and witnesses are protected from any retaliatory reactions by any party, SFD has competent team to handle such cases. The GRM approaches outlined above have been designed for consistency with ESS10. 6.2. Ddistribution of the Grievance Mechanism (GM) Leaflets During the Awareness Sessions FAO distributed a total number of (3,555) of the GM leaflets till the end of 2021, (3,057) till end of March 2022 and (13625) in 2023. In additions, for the awareness raising FAO distributed 10,000 of the posters, 20,000 brochures and 5 podcasts during the project life. For more details see annex (10) and annex (15). 7. Monitoring and Reporting In the course of project implementation, the SEP will be periodically updated, as necessary, and consistent with the requirements of ESS10, in a manner acceptable to the Bank. Any major changes to the project related activities and to its schedule will be duly reflected in the SEP. MAI will prepare and submit to the Bank quarterly and annual SEP implementation reports including ESHS performance and other 25 environment and social instruments of the Project, including the grievance mechanism. The quarterly summaries will provide a mechanism for assessing both the number and the nature of complaints and requests for information, along with the Project’s ability to address those in a timely and effective manner. Information on public engagement activities undertaken by the Project during the year will be conveyed to the stakeholders in following ways: (i) publication of a standalone annual report on project’s stakeholder engagement; and (ii) Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) will also be included and monitored by the project on a regular basis as part of the Community Communication and Outreach Guideline. Further details will be outlined in the updated SEP, to be prepared within 1 month of effectiveness, including the establishment of detailed stakeholder’s communication guideline. 26 8. Annexes Annex 1: Indicative Table of Contents for Community Communication and Outreach Guideline 1. MAI Locust Strategic Communications Guideline 1.1. Purpose and background 1.2. Goal and key audiences 2. MAI Principles for Effective Communications 2.1 Accessible: (defining the parameters of communication accessibility, identification of effective channels, making information available using effective channels and devising effective channels for historically underserved and vulnerable groups) 2.2 Actionable: (defining the parameters of communication actionability, moving audiences toward action: the communications continuum, designing a behavior change campaign and encouraging action during a health emergency) 2.3 Credible and Trusted: (outlining the defining criteria for trusted communication, establishing technical accuracy, transparency, coordination with partners and communicating as one MAI message) 2.4 Relevant: (identification of relevant communication content, knowing the audience, listening the audience, tailoring the message to the audience, motivating the audience to take part and provide feedback). 2.5 Timely: (ensure timely communication, communicate what is known at the right time (than leaving stakeholders to speculate) and keep the conversation in continuum. 2.6 Understandable: (use simple language, relate the message with stories stakeholder’s context, use visual and familiar language. 3. Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning: (ensure tentative monitoring indicators using the principles of effective communication). 4. Communication Functions at MAI and other implementing entities: ensure adequate exploration of the various communication functions and units at the MAI, including the changes used and how such functions would be relevant to the proposed project. 5. Annexes: stakeholder engagement planning, documentation and reporting templates 27 Yemen Desert Locust Response Project (P174170) Updated Stakeholder Engagement Plan (SEP) Annex 2: Proposed Strategy for Stakeholders Consultation. Timetable: Location Project stage Topic of consultation Method used Target stakeholders Responsibilities and dates Preparation PMP/ Pesticide Use / ESMF Questionnaires with key Once with each / Phone EPA, MAI and Desert Locust staff FAO PIU staff via phone Preparation of ESMF Questionnaires with key Once with each / Phone Community (WUA) FAO PIU ESMF community members via phone Implementation Regular and Continuous Interviews or workshops In the central offices of MAI • Field officers directly involved in handling Field Teams / FAO of sub- surveillance and monitoring before the survey and DL and spraying operations. PIU component 1.1 control • Plant Protection Directorate staff under MAI (project personnel). • Local NGOs involved in mobilization and preparation of communities’ readiness for implementation. • Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation (MAI) as surveillance/monitoring sensitization and provision of control personnel. Pre-campaign • The purpose of the • Local radio Twice a day/ or as needed. • Farmers, pastoralist and agro-pastoralists Communication campaign • Locust survey/control in villages or settlements that communities. and Outreach • The cooperation needed teams are close to the control sites • Rural populations at large who lost crops, Specialist with from them and their • using time and livestock and livelihoods. Radio and TV responsibility in the generation tested • IDPs (Internally displaced people) broadcasting campaign. traditional. • organization • About the technology used • information sharing by the project mechanisms, • -safety and precautionary • monitoring and measure will be applied surveillance scouts • The impact the infestation • of locust resulted 28 Timetable: Location Project stage Topic of consultation Method used Target stakeholders Responsibilities and dates Implementation Spray of Pesticide impact on Face to face interview In the Field before and • Farmers, pastoralists, beekeepers and Field Teams / FAO of sub- their livelihood during DL control activities agro-pastoralists communities PIU component 1.2 • Contracted workers, consultants, scouts, vehicles and sprayers operators • Local NGOs involved in mobilization and preparation of communities’ readiness for implementation Implementation Testing people potentially Face to face interview / In the central offices of MAI • All personnel involved in the project and MAI / FAO PIU of sub- exposed to pesticides workshops before the control campaign exposed to pesticides (storage, transport, component 1.3 calibration, empty containers, handling, etc.) Preparing a comprehensive workshop In the central offices of MAI • Deseret Locust Experts and Plant MAI / FAO PIU NPMS Protection Experts under MAI Providing safety and workshop In the central offices of MAI • All personnel involved in the project and MAI / FAO PIU awareness training exposed to pesticides Implementation CfW interventions including Meetings and in field At the targeted villages • Social Fund for Development (SFD) as an SFD under FAO of sub- needs assessment, projects training expert entity in agriculture and outreach. supervision component 2.1 design, ESMP’s consultation • All beneficiaries of the CfW and farmers and 2.2 and Implementation supported with productive assets kits Implementation Establish a new Central DLCC Meetings and face to At the targeted DLCC Targeted DLCC staff FAO PIU of sub- and rehabilitate the face interviews or phone component 3.1 infrastructures and calls and 3.2 operational capacity of the DLCC Implementation Awareness raising, • Awareness Sessions Throughout project All Stakeholders FAO of component 4 communication, and • Training workshops implementation knowledge management activities, including response to COVID-19 29 Yemen Desert Locust Response Project (P174170) Updated Stakeholder Engagement Plan (SEP) Annex 3: FAO Grievance Handling Mechanism Under the new World Bank ESSs, Bank-supported projects are required to facilitate mechanisms that address concerns and grievances that arise in connection with a project1. One of the key objectives of ESS 10 (Stakeholder Engagement and Information Disclosure) is “to provide project-affected parties with accessible and inclusive means to raise issues and grievances and allow borrowers to respond and manage such grievances�2. This Project GRM should facilitate the Project to respond to concerns and grievances of the project-affected parties related to the environmental and social performance of the project. FAO has established Grievance Redress Mechanism (GRM) for all projects to enable beneficiaries to communicate their concerns regarding the project activities. FAO is providing multiple access points to the FAO GRM focal point for beneficiaries to voice and raise their concerns. These access points include GRM contact information including hotline & landline toll- free, mobile SMS, WhatsApp, website, email and offline form as follow: Toll-free telephone number 800 19 19 SMS 2222 Messengers WhatsApp: 776 01 30 30 Website www.fao.org Email Yemen-Feedback@fao.org Interviews During field visits, FAO Field Monitors and Technical Specialists, in case of a complaint, will fill in a report and share with the Toll-Free Phone Operator at the FAO Representation level for actions. Similar template and mechanism will be applied if a person approaches any offices of FAO to file a complaint. Accordingly, FAO has established grievance access database to register, follow-up and take action on the complaints. In addition, an offline form was designed to record the field complaints or offline grievances. FAO also has a person in charge of the call centre. Grievances can be brought up by affected people in case of: (i) beneficiary and community selection; (ii) assistance quantities and qualities; (iii) corruption or theft; (iv) staff abuse, etc. 1. Procedures in handling feedback and complaints The Beneficiary Feedback Mechanism (BFM) details the procedures that communities and individuals, who believe they are adversely affected by the project or a specific sub-project, can use to submit their complaints, as well as the procedures used by FAO to systematically register, track, investigate and promptly resolve complaints. 1 Under ESS 2 (Labour and Working Conditions), a grievance mechanism for all direct or contracted workers is prescribed, which will be laid out in a separate Labour Management Plan (LMP). The World Bank’s Good Practice Note on ‘Addressing Gender Based Violence in Investment Project Financing involving Major Civil Works’ spells out requirements for a GBV grievance redress mechanisms, which will be defined in a separate GBV/SEA and Child Protection Risks Action Plan. 2 World Bank, 2018, p. 131. 30 The timeframe for managing feedback including giving appropriate response to the complaints raised by beneficiaries will vary based on the nature and magnitude of the reported problem. Response may not be necessary for routine feedback, or in some cases can be given instantly. Feedback will always be reviewed and continuous efforts to improve program will be undertaken, including reduction or prevention of similar occurrences of negative events. 1. Receipt of a feedback/complaint and its registry in the system, capturing details of the caller and the nature of the feedback; 2. Sharing complaint in a generated report template to the respective staff members for addressing, based on the classification of the complaint (please see the below table); 3. Resolution – within five working days. In case, the issue cannot be solved by the closest appropriate level, the complaint will be sent further, as described in the “Resolution� section below; 4. Inform the complainant not later than seven working days after receiving the case; and 5. Closure of the complaint. 2. Staff Members to Make Decisions Categories Type Decision-Maker Timeframe Category A. − Inquiries; − Phone Operator Immediately Low − Request for assistance; − False calls. Category B. − Operational (late delivery of inputs and − Assistant to FAOR/ Review on bi- Moderate services, cash transfer payments, etc.); Programme; weekly basis − Out of beneficiaries list; − Assistant to FAOR/ − Out of target area (not included in the Operations; project); − Concerned project − Distribution of less amount than envisaged; CTA or staff in − Criteria for selection is unclear or not charge; applied; − M&E Focal Point. − Quality of items and services provided; − Overlapping activities in the given area; − Dissatisfaction with FAO activities. Category C. − FAO or its IPs staff misconduct; − FAOR or Deputy Immediately Critical − Corruption; FAOR; communicated − Tax imposition on inputs and beneficiary − Assistant to FAOR/ to the FAOR/ payments by local authorities; Programme; Deputy FAOR − Sexual Exploitation and Abuse; − Assistant to FAOR/ for decision- − Abuse of authority. Operations; making − Others assigned by the FAOR based on the case- sensitivity. In any case, the project-implementing partners must maintain records of grievances and complaints, including minutes of discussions, recommendations and resolutions made. And submit the recorded complaints with their progress reports. 31 3. Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse mechanism In the case of sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA) complaints, confidentiality and safety measures regarding the complainant is ensured. Therefore, upon receipt of the complaint, sharing of this sensitive information should be on a need-to-know basis, i.e., only those strictly necessary for the process of SEA complaints handling should be involved. Noteworthy, FAO Yemen has a dedicated PSEA Focal Point. Based on procedures presented in FAO’s PSEA Policy (AC 2013/27), the FAOR should forward the complaint or reasonable concern of SEA directly to the Ethics Officer (Senior PSEA Focal Point in headquarters) as soon as possible for action. The following chain of action is observed once the Ethics Officer receives the report. 32 Yemen Desert Locust Response Project (P174170) Updated Stakeholder Engagement Plan (SEP) Annex 4: SFD Grievance Handling Mechanism 33 The below details are related to the update SEP 2 Annex 5: Field Visit to Wearhouse of Desert Locust Materials FAO desert locust officer conducted a field visit to Aden and Lahj governorates to assess the storage conditions for the locust pesticides and other resources between 29 May to 01 June 2022. The aim of the visit was to collect details about the various pesticide products including trade names, prepare and inspect the quantities and production dates and the conditions of the stores in the different areas. FAO officer also collected the data needed initially for implementing the Locust-PMS in Yemen as part of the Early Response System. He checked the state of all items and equipment that were delivered recently to FAO warehouse in Aden to prepare the distribution plan of these items to the locust centers in Yemen. A meeting was conducted in the first day of the mission with the deputy minister of the MAIF in Aden and the DG of plant protection directorate as well as the locust center manager. The meeting focused on the implementation of the locust - PMS to be applied for making better management of the pesticides in Yemen, and the other locust affected countries. The meeting also discussed the survey plans, the community awareness for locust and pesticides risks, as well as on sprayer maintenance training which is planned to be executed in the 3rd week of June. Also, the meeting discussed executing a practical field training for the locust staff in the southern governorates on the locust survey and control as well as the biological control and using the new applications. The discussions also included installation of the drum crusher machines for the pesticide drums, which was agreed to be at the rehabilitated store in Lahj and the other machine in Hadramaut. A plan was agreed during the meeting to visit the pesticide stores belonging to the MAIF in Aden and Lahj, to assess the state of pesticide storage and collect the needed information. In the second day, the pesticide stores in Aden were visited in Khur Maksar and the MAIF store. Inventory was done for pesticides, vehicles, sprayer machines, big tents and electricity generators. In the second day, there was a visit to Lahj warehouse where larger amounts of pesticides under different trade names and types are stored. It also has sprayers with some spare parts and drum crushing machines to be installed in later stage. In the third day, a visit made to FAO warehouse to check the items and equipment procured under the project. Also, the visit was made to the stores of sprayers and PPES belonging to the plant protection directorate in Aden located at the agriculture office. A meeting was conducted with the locust center manager at the locust center to stand on the survey operations and the community awareness plan conducted currently in the inner governorates. Instructions and recommendations were made to the ministry team about the cooperation with the TPMA mission in the current month. Community awareness plan for females was discussed with the team in order to increase the number of female beneficiaries. Conclusion: The Desert Locust Response Project Officer in FAO Yemen, assessed and inspected the pesticide stores belonging to the MAIF in Aden and Lahj, reviewed the inventory for pesticides and other equipment related, and found the following: 1- Lahj’s warehouse, was rehabilitated by FAO, installed fire extinguishers, provided additional solar panels, PPEs, washing room and bathrooms. 2- A larger number of pesticides are stored under different trade names and types. The conditions of pesticides were stored in bad conditions and not ordered. 3- There were three main trade names for the pesticides including Atom, Smoker and Deltamethrin as follows: 34 • The pesticide labels indicate a production date of March and April 2020, which means that it needs validity checks, and consists of 72 drums of (16 Atom, 20 Smoker and 36 Deltamethrin). • New pesticides arrived from FAO Kenya with production dates of April and October 2020, which need validity analysis. The pesticide products and quantities are as follows: • 9 drums Atom with the production date of March 2020 • 3 drums Deltamethrin 1.25% without any details pasted on the drums. • 9 drums Deltamethrin 1.25% with a production date of April 2020 • 29 drums of Deltamethrin 1.25% with the production date of October 2020 • 28 drums chlorpyrifos 24% with the production date of October 2020 • 10,000 liters of pesticide “Debro 25% EC� with the production date of January 2021 During the mission of the Desert Locust Response Project Officer in FAO Yemen, he conducted a training course on the operation and maintenance of control sprayers for the Desert Locust staff in Aden and Sana’a in June and in November 2022. Also, a practical training course on survey and control operation and a training workshop on equipment management system were conducted in Mukalla and in Aden in September and October 2022. For more details, please refer to table 5 below. Moreover, FAO Officer met with the deputy minister of the MAIF in Aden and the Director General of Plant Protection directorate as well as the locust center manager to discuss the points below: - Better management of pesticides in Yemen. - Discussed community awareness of locust and pesticide risks. - Increase training for locust staff in using new applications for locust control biologically. - Installation of the drum crusher machines for the waste pesticide drums in Lahj and Hadrumout. Based on the above-mentioned mission, an analysis was executed for the pesticides and all quantities were found to be valid according to the results of the analysis in external lab in UAE. Table 5 ALL Trainings Conducted during 2022 NO. Name of Training Course No. Training Location Training Period Participants 1 TOT Training on DL Survey and Control 23 Aden 30 Jan. 3 Feb. 2022 Operations 2 Environmental and Social Safeguards 24 Aden 6 – 10 Feb. 2022 Tool & Health and Safety Standard during DL Control Campaigns (EHS) 3 Operation and Maintenance of Desert 21 Aden June 19-23 2022 Locust Control Sprayers 4 Practical Course on Desert Locust Survey 20 Al-Mukalla- 4 – 8 Sept. 2022 and Control Operations Hadhramout 5 Workshop for the Preparation and 10 Aden 9 – 13 Oct. 2022 Training on Locust Pesticides and Equipment Management System 6 Operation and Maintenance of Desert 20 Sana'a 12 – 16 Nov. 2022 Locust Control Sprayers 35 Checking the items and sprayers at FAO warehouse Checking the sprayers at DLCC in Aden Inventory of pesticide and sprayers at Lahj warehouse Meeting with locust team for awareness and TPMA - Figure 2 The Inspection Site Visited Pesticides Wearhouse in South 36 Annex 6: Consultations with Local Community Farmers in the Targeted Areas till the End of 2021 This consultation was conducted with the 21 participants from local communities in the trgeted areas to have their opinon and concerns afftecting thier plant and pasture. The Key finding/concerns rasied: 1- All consulted local communities (21 people) said that the desert locust caused damages and loses to them in means of eating all plants and pasture. 2- All consulted local community (21 people) said that they did not face any cases of poisons. 3- No concernes raised because no pesticide activities were carried due to the presence of bees and sheep and the objection was raised by beekeepers and livestock producers not to spray the area. The Major outcomes of consultation: The appropriate recommendations to improve the performance of desert locust control operations in terms of social, environmental and health aspects are in the table (6) following: Table 6 Summary of the Recommendations from the Local Farmers in 2021 Recommendations Propose for Helping 1-To put guards from the local community. • Because of the loose camels, must be provided from the area to guard in the sprayed area for a certain period and assisting the Desert Locust team. • Play important part in the communication between DL team and community and inform about Locust breed. • Coordination between beekeepers, farmers and DL team. 2-To provide gasoline. • For the beekeepers cars to move their bees to others area 3-Inform the beekeepers in the area before spray. • If appropriate time notifying that help them to move their 4-Installing signboards indicates the spray operation is animals and bees before starting spray. active in the targeted areas • Helping all to avoid the active areas with spray operation. 5-Spraying with less toxic pesticides on bees and animals. • Protection the beekeepers, farmers and water sources All consulted local community (21) 100 % stated that desert locust caused damages and loses to them in means of eating all plants and pasture. Figure (3) shows if the desert locust control operations caused damages and loses to their farms, animals, bees, where 71% local community stated that the desert locust control operation did not cause damages and loses to their farms, animals, bees and other non-targeted species such as the death of some (free/loose) animals and bees. 37 Did the Control Operations Cause any Losses to Crops, Pastures, Bees, Animals and Non- target Organisms to you or to One live in your Area 40% 33% 30% 19% 19% 20% 10% 10% 10% 5% 5% 0% Hadhramout Hajjah Hodeida Al Gulf district Abyan No Yes Figure 3 Control Operation Cause any Losses to Crops, Animal, Bees and Non-Target organisms to local Community and others Almost all local community members said that they did not face any cases of poisons. Figure (4) shows the quick response from the survey and control teams when locusts appear in their area or reports of locusts are present, where 33.3% of them said there is a quick response from the survey and control teams when locusts appear in their area or reports of locusts are present. The Quick Response from the Survey and Control Teams when Locusts Appear in Local Area or Reports of Locusts are Present 19.0% 19.0% 19.0% 20.0% 14.3% 14.3% 15.0% 9.5% 10.0% 4.8% 5.0% 0.0% Hadhramout Hajjah Hodeida Al Gulf district Abyan No Yes Figure 4 The Quick Response from the Survey and Control Teams when Locusts Appear in Local Area or Reports of Locusts are Present. The figure (5) shows the local population assessed the control teams, where 43% stated as good, 24% as weak, 29% of them did not answer and the remaining percent stated that in the last period there was no control activities due to the presence of bees and sheep and an objection was raised by beekeepers and livestock producers to spray the area. 38 Local Community Opinion about the Control Teams Working 16% 14% 14% 14% 14% 14% 12% 10% 10% 10% 10% 8% 5% 5% 6% 4% 2% 0% Hadhramout Hajjah Hodeida Al Gulf district Good Objection by beekeepers and livestock producers to spray weak No answer Figure 5 Local Community Opinion about the Control Teams Working The figure (6) shows the percentage of local farmers if they faced problems or misbehaviour from the locust workers, where 90% of local farmers stated no problems or misbehaviour, whether intentionally or unintentionally, not with them or with the people of the control area. Only 5% said yes and 5% no answer. Are there any Problems or Misbehavior from the Locust Workers, Whether Intentionally or Unintentionally, with you or with he People of the Area in which you Live 29% 30% 24% 19% 19% 20% 10% 5% 5% 0% Hadhramout Hajjah Hodeida Al Gulf district Abyan No Yes NO Answer Figure 6 The Problems or Misbehaviour from Locust Workers 39 Annex 7: Consultations with Desert Locust Workers 7.1. Consultations till the End of 2021 This consultation was conducted with the 40 participants from desert locust workers in the targeted areas to have their opinion and recommendations about the training conducted on the environment and social safeguard, pesticides transport and recognizing the difficulties and problems faced by the local population. The Key finding/concerns rasied: 1- Out of the 40 desert locust workers consulted 65.0% said that they received training and 25% of them stated they did not receive any training on applying environmental health and safety standards before, during and after Desert Locust control campaigns. 2- The desert locust workers recommended increasing the awareness of the community about the dangers of the desert locust and the benefits of control operation. 3- The desert locust workers are recommended that to have training in the ESS. 4- The desert locust workers asked to provide them by emergency and medical check plans. The Major outcome of consultation: Table 7 Summary of the Recommendations from the Locust Workers in 2021 Recommendations Propose for Helping Improve the performance of survey and control operations 1-Give farmers and beekeepers a period of time or support them before • Helping the beekeepers to move their hives to DL control. other location in a timely manner. 2- Good survey and correct information in the survey and then share it • Play an important part in the communication with the district office recognizing the locations between DL team and community. And inform 3-Educating the community about the danger of desert locusts and about Locust breed. benefits of control operation. • Coordination between community, local 4-Looking for assistance and guidance from the local people of the area. authority and DL team. 5- Be patient and not to rush. • Avoid complaints from community. 6-Advice for establishing an advanced unit to control desert locusts. • Emergency plan helping all for quick response 7- Provide an emergency budget. for any incident or accident. 8- Training in survey and control. • Completed and suitable PPE protect the team 9-Adopting identifiers in remote and security-dangerous areas. and avoids any accident. 10-Providing all PPE needs. • Conflicts and war in Yemen 11-Providing the desert locust team by emergency and medical check • Local authority and community are important plans. which they make our work easy. 12-Working safe in different situations and security-dangerous areas • Continuous maintenance for spray machines 13-Establishing a committee from the local authority and community in and vehicles which help the team for quick the districts to resolve the problems and difficulties facing the teams. response and avoid operation delay. 14-Providing spraying machines and modern cars. Preserve the environment and human health from the effect of pesticides during the control 15-Developmet of the pesticide’s disposal plan. • Avoid environmental pollution and poisoning 16-Avoid any pesticides spill on soil. cases. 17-Calibration the spray machines. • Not to affect the community • Bio pesticides friendly with environment 40 Recommendations Propose for Helping 18-Follow the survey plan for the affected areas and following the working operation plan. 19-Use Bio pesticides in farms and areas close to the population and water resources. 20- Follow community safety plan. 21-Involvement of environmental protection associations in the work as delegates during the campaigns to raise awareness of the people. Related to the social aspect with the local population 22-Awareness (using different media) is the key to build trust between • Avoidances the impacts the community and the locust team. And cumulative information about • Let the community who recognizes the locusts threatens food security. mitigation measures to follow the protection of 23-Establishing desert locust departments in the agriculture offices. the community 24- Providing housing or tents for the desert control teams. 7.2. Consultations till the End of March 2022 FAO conducted consultations with 42 desert locust workers who can be categorized as Civil Servants under MAI. The Major outcomes of consultation: Recommendations from the Desert Locust Workers: The appropriate recommendations to improve the performance of desert locust control operations in terms of social, environmental and health aspects are in the table (8) as following: Table 8 Summary of the Recommendations from the Locust Workers in 2022 Recommendations Propose for Helping Improve the performance of survey and control operations 1-Give farmers and beekeepers sufficient period of time or • Helping the beekeepers to move their hives supporting them before DL control. to another location in a timely manner. 2-The availability of the appropriate tools for the survey, • Explain to the community about the locust and control process, performing all operations before the effect and the resulting complications. locust process, including inspection and other operations, • Coordination between the community, and also Knowing the direction of the wind. local authority and DL Workers. 3-Choose the right time, obtaining and verifying • Already updated in the mitigation in PMP. information from employees. • Avoid complaints from community. 4-Involvement of some beekeepers in the control • A training course on the contingency plan workshops, involve the imams of mosques, local leaders in was conducted and how to respond courses and workshops. quickly. 5-Honesty and integrity while conducting surveys and • Conflicts and war in Yemen. taking the necessary precautions. • Local authority and community are 6-Some of the DLW suggested that surveys should be important which they make our work easy. regular and uninterrupted in the areas of winter breeding. 41 Recommendations Propose for Helping 7-As for the control process against DLW, I suggest making • Continuous maintenance of spray a ready-made contingency plan. machines and vehicles and helping the 8-Conducting accurate surveys on desert locust and team in quick response and avoid sharing the data with the district office for recognizing operation delay. locations. • All DLW will be provided with PPE. 9-Looking for guidance assistance from the local people of the destination. 10-Many of DLW said that, take precautions wearing protective clothing while spraying. 11-Establishing a committee from the local authority and community in the districts to resolve the problems and difficulties facing the teams. 12-Providing spraying machines and use Harmless biocides. Preserve the environment and human health from the effect of pesticides during the control 13-Follow the survey plan of the affected areas and • Avoid environmental pollution and following the working operation plan. poisoning cases. 14-Use Bio pesticides in farms and areas close to the • Avoid increasing the pesticides dose. population and water resources. • Bio pesticides friendly with environment 15-Insure about covering the water resources and avoid any sensitive areas. Related to the social aspect with the local population 16-Awareness (using different media) is the key build trust • Avoidances of the impacts between the community and the locust team. And • Let the community who recognizes the cumulative information about locust threatens food mitigation measures to follow the security and the impacts of pesticides. protection of the community 17-Raising awareness within universities, secondary schools, utilizing Friday preachers, Sheikhs and notables of the target area. According to the Desert Locust Workers who stated they did not receive any training in how to apply the ESS. When asked, why they did not apply the ESS, they stated as following: - No sufficient experience in desert locust operation. - No prior training before applying the Environmental Social and Safety (ESS). - No participation in any Desert Locust campaign before. When the DLW were asked about the most important difficulties and problems encountered with the local population during the control campaigns and how they overcame them, their answers were as following: 42 -Need to explain to livestock owners, herders, beekeepers and the community the importance pf spraying pesticides and locust control and extent to which locust effect agricultural crops, grazing areas and beekeeping, which affects food security. -Many of the DLW stated that beekeepers should be informed before spraying. Which caused the cancellation of the spraying activities in presence of beehives. -One of the most important points mentioned by DLW, the bee owners as well as and herdsmen during the operation of locust control and spraying pesticides. - Weak response from the beekeepers to transport their bees to another location. When asked the DLW about to whom they respond in dealing with the complaints directed to them in the field, and how the complaints are passed to the highest level, their answers were as following: -One of the DLW said that he mentioned the complaint on WhatsApp -Many of DLW stated that they are submitted their complaints to the relevant authorities as the general director manager of the DL center. -Some of the DLW mentioned that they are trying to resolve the complaints in the field after studying them in all respects. 43 Yemen Desert Locust Response Project (P174170) Updated Stakeholder Engagement Plan (SEP) Annexes 8: Consultation Conducted by the Monitoring & Evaluations Team Performed in 2021, participation number (selected samples about 10): Table 9 Summary of the consultation conducted by the M&E team performed in 2021. No. Monitoring Activities Date of Monitoring Visit 1- -Visited MAIF in Aden, Sayoun, Taribah, Al Mukalla 1-12 September 2021 -Visited Agriculture Training Center in Sayoun 2- -Conducted meetings with the officials of the MoAIF in Aden, specifically with the new DLCC director who was recently assigned, to provide him and his team with background information about the Desert Locust Response Project funded by the WB and to outline planned activities. -Field survey and control operations, procurement of items and the 7 -10 Nov 2021 selection of geographical location to establish the DLCC in Aden and the two sub-bases in Shabwah and Sayoun. -Aimed to coordinate with the MoAIF for the execution of the project activities in the areas of southern Yemen. The Major outcomes of consultation: - It is recommended that Aden central unit of desert locust to share the reports with the relevant General Management of Plants Protection (GMPP) for each governorate for their reference and internal use. - It is also recommended also to include the management of governorates in planning and supervising governorate level survey and to be aware of control activities and to provide the support needed. - It is high recommended to have meetings with the desert locust teams to discuss the operations, challenges and recommendations regularly, other than the regular communication via phones and WhatsApp. Face to face or online meetings where managed by desert locust personal at MAIF and the project management meeting would facilitate in solving any issues effectively and ensure the smooth implementation of the desert locust activities. - It is also recommended to assign desert locust units to raise monthly or quarterly narrative reports clarifying the details of their activities, needs, concerns, challenges, and recommendations. Furthermore, sharing these quarterly reports will ensure that the project management is well informed of any new changes in the field, any weaknesses of issues to be addressed properly. - According to officials' statements from the desert locust units at MAIF both in Aden and the governorates, better coordination is needed before the procurement or delivery of items to MAIF offices. All items should be discussed with them for the agreement on the specifications, quantities, and priorities according to their needs. - The data collection tools were prepared by the project team and reflected into Kobo Collect by the MEAL team. MAIF asked for clarification about the tools in a meeting to discuss the contents and training the focal points in Aden before deployment. - There are local initiatives to respond to desert locust that can be strengthened. The efforts of researchers in the MAIF office in Sayoun in preparing natural alternatives for pesticides are one example. The support from local associations that helped to response in times of outbreak can be organized to be part of the FAO safe exit strategy. Moreover, involving local initiatives and supporting 44 the role of the communities in the prevention and control of desert locust has a potential role in supporting the official efforts by the MAIF and desert locust operations teams. - Reports from each governorate are recommended to pass through the plants protection management or to give them a copy of the reports. This is important for them, so they can be aware of the activities and to include these activities in the governorate level activities reported to the authorities. - For any planned training, it is recommended to select the trainees decentralized from each governorate. The material and training documents should be shared with the training offices per governorate so they can conduct similar training or share knowledge with other staff members who did not attend. - Awareness material about the desert locust, their impact, safety measures, and other aspects should be disseminated to populations. To facilitate the delivery of awareness messages and ensure the widest coverage needed, the media units at MAIF offices can be utilized. Currently, they are working on media coverage through the radio, news stations and other channels and the awareness material design, printing and distribution can be assigned to MAIF offices as applicable. 8.1. Meeting with the GMPP - Emergency Operations Unit in Aden governorate: On Wednesday 1st September 2021 at 10:00 am, the monitoring team met with the desert locust staff at the GMPP in Aden represented by the Undersecretariat of MAIF, DL officer, the head of GMPP, and pesticides specialist. The monitoring team observed the preparations for the control activities that took place in Shabwah, Lahj and Abyan governorates. A report was received about the desert locust presence in different districts and the team was preparing release orders for the pesticides from the warehouses in Lahj and preparing for the transportation of the pesticides and the control equipment to start the activities in the field. More details are in the report shared by MAIF team to FAO DL team. Figure 7 Meeting with Protection Secretariat of MAIF The desert locust operations are managed by the Undersecretariat of the MAIF who manages the offices in the southern governorates in Aden, Abyan, Wadi Hadramout (Al Wadi and As Sahara), costal Hadramout, and Al Maharah. During the meeting, the below points were discussed with MAIF team: - The project details are discussed and clarified to the focal points in MAIF. - The received inputs from FAO including pesticides, equipment, and their concerns about the needs for DL operations. - FAO team and MAIF focal points discussion the procedures and recommendations to improve the coordination between FAO and MAIF for addressing the DL units’ needs in terms of procurements, supplies, and running survey and control operations. 45 - According to the discussion with the Undersecretariat, the team suggested how to involve the designated officials from MAIF in the process and how to ensure better flow of data between MAIF, its offices and FAO DL program. 8.2. Meeting with the Desert Locust Team and General Manager of Plant Protection (GMPP) in Sayoun On 7th Sep 2021, a second meeting was conducted in Sayoun governorate with the manager of MAIF office in Sayoun, the manager of GMPP, and the desert locust officer. Hadramout is one of the largest summer breading locations of the desert locust. The last control operation was conducted in August 2020 and the survey activities are ongoing according to the plan for four months (June, July, August, and September 2021). A number of points were discussed during the meeting as below: Administrative arrangements: The attended discussed the recommendations for selecting local staff to attend training activities and how to ensure better covering of the local needs in coordination with the central management of MAIF in Aden. In recent years, MAIF is nominating staff and members of DL units centrally and this is recommended to be improved to cover the needs of local offices. Figure 8 Meeting with the Desert Locust Team and Head of MAIF Office Locally made bio-pesticides: The manager of GMPP in Sayoun governorate, Dr Jamal Basaheh is currently working on research for testing safe natural alternatives for pesticides. The research field activities were conducted during August and September 2020 during the last desert locust outbreak. The effectiveness of natural pesticides was proved experimentally. These alternatives are expected to be a safe alternative for chemical pesticides and will be locally accepted by farmers and beekeepers whose livelihoods won’t be affected from the desert locust activities. Reports and Data Flow: The current system serves the purposes related to desert locust survey and control activities and could also serve the needs of local offices in terms of reporting. Reports go directly to the operations room in Aden and a copy of the reports should be given to the management of plants protection in Sayoun. This will ensure that these activities are reported or included in the logs and reports of MAIF in Sayoun, which are shared with authorities and other stakeholders. Training: The team in Sayoun talked about their need for training in different topics related the survey and control of desert locust. The last training was conducted in Aden and the selection was central from MAIF in Aden and they recommended to discuss with MAIF in Aden the need to include local management of MAIf offices to nominate their staff. “It is important to have official communication in a decentralized manner to collect the field level needs in terms of training, equipment, facilities, etc.,� Dr Jamal Basaheh, manager of GMPP in Sayoun. 46 Awareness and media: No awareness materials have been delivered under the project yet. There is a need for awareness materials to be disseminated to local communities, including farmers, herders and beekeepers. The messages can be delivered either through printed papers, the radio, or social media. It is important to include beekeepers who have to move their bees to other locations as a category of beneficiaries targeted by the project's livelihood component. Grievance Mechanism Awareness: The monitoring team distributed some GM leaflets to the interviewed farmers and relevant staff from the MAIF. Farmers and beekeepers were also sensitized about the complaints and feedback mechanism of FAO and how to reach out when they have any complaints, feedback or suggestions. The new GM leaflets are ready in Aden office and will be distributed during field activities of the Desert Locust teams. 8.3. Meeting with the GMPP in Al Mukalla On 12th September, a meeting was conducted in Al Mukalla governorate with the manager of MAIF office in Al Mukalla and the manager of the GMPP. During the meeting, different topics were discussed about the DL activities and readiness in the governorate, challenges and recommendations. Most of the districts in Al Mukalla are agriculture districts, and the coastal areas in Hadramout were not breeding locations, but due to climate change, the situation has changed and there are suitable conditions for desert locust breeding, including humidity and green plants. Some NGOs have been approaching the MAIF office and asking for details about the desert locust to respond and support the operations. The Civil Development organization, an American organization, asked the MAIF management about the needs in response to desert locust, but they did not provide any support yet. The unit in Al Mukalla is not equipped yet, and they usually wait for the response from Aden central operation room. It is recommended to form a local team from the governorate to be in a stand-by state to respond whenever needed. Hadramout includes the largest locations of desert locust winter breading. “In the recent survey activities, the team members were not from the governorate and they more time and effort to reach the locations. MAIF should utilize our qualified expertise here.� Dr Amgad Bayakyako, Head of GMPP in Al Mukalla. This aspect is recommended to be discussed with MAIF in Aden to consider involving governorate managements in forming the team. It is recommended also to include the management of governorates in planning and supervising governorate level survey and control activities to be aware and to provide the support needed. 8.4. Field Visit to Desert Locust Survey Locations The team conducted field visits to sample survey locations in Sayoun governorate with the desert locust officer in Sayoun. Two areas were visited, Taribah and Salilah sub-districts in Sayoun governorate. The DL officer demonstrated how the survey activities are conducted and what data is collected into the eLocust3 system. “Some birds eat the dead locust, and we are afraid that people may eat the dead locust after the control operations. There is a need for awareness materials to increase the awareness of local communities. We cannot conduct control activities or spraying Pesticides in this Wadi because the beekeepers won’t allow us.� Ashor Al Zubairi explaining the difficulty faced with beekeepers. The desert locust officer showed the monitoring team how the data are entered into the eLocust3 device and connecting to the satellites using the transmitter on the vehicle. 47 8.5. Local initiatives in responding to desert locust - meeting with Al Falah association in Sayoun Al Falah Hadrami Association is a local association in Sayoun governorate that responded to desert locust in 2020 and supported the official operations by MAIF in Sayoun. In 2020, farmers complained to the Farmer association about the desert locust attack on their crops. The Farmer association contacted MAIF office in Sayoun and supported the campaign with a fund to operate and respond. Employees from the Farmer association conducted visits to the farmers' lands and participated in the control activities. Beekeepers stopped the campaign and threatened to destroy the vehicles because the Pesticides would kill their bees. Beekeepers and herders were the main challenges to respond to the desert locust outbreak. “The role of beekeepers association is missing, and they should have a role in informing beekeepers about the control activities of DL and spraying of Pesticides.� Saleh Bazaqamah, executive director of Al Falah association, explaining the difficulty of using Pesticides and issues with beekeepers. 8.6. Interviews and Focused Groups Discussions (FGDs) with farmers, beekeepers and women The monitoring team conducted interviews and FGDs with farmers, beekeepers, and women in Sayoun governorate. FGD with onion farmers in Sayoun: The affected land of each farmer was 9 ha, 4 ah and 5 ha, respectively. The farmers talked about their experience with the desert locust outbreak last year and the missing role of the MAIF and desert locust team at that time. They spoke of how beekeepers stopped the operation and did not allow the use of Pesticides. “We have demanded some Pesticides from MAIF office, but they did not give us.� A farmer in Taribah sub-district complaining about their inability to face desert locust due to lack of Pesticides. Figure 9 Observing the Field Activity of Sample Desert Locust Survey Activity Interview with individual farmers: Interview with individual farmers: The monitoring team also interviewed farmers in their lands and asked them few questions about their experience with desert locust and the impact on their livelihoods. Most of the interviewees were impacted by the desert locust last year and the response from the desert locust team at the MAIF in Sayoun was late. Consultations with female farmers were conducted, but their education level and cultural norms were barriers from having long discussions with them, and they refused to proceed in the discussions. Interviews with beekeepers: The monitoring team interviewed beekeepers in Al Dhalea governorate. The beekeepers face significant problems and losses when asked to move their bees from one area to another before the spraying activities start. They are one of the most segments of the populations impacted by the desert locust activities and are not addressed. They also pose a challenge against the desert locust 48 team when they intend to conduct control activities and spray chemical pesticides when beekeepers stop them. Figure 10 Interviewing Beekeepers Figure 11 Conducting Interviews with Female Farmers Consultations with Female Farmers: During the visits, the FAO monitoring team met with female farmers to discuss their experience with desert locust outbreaks and their impact on their livelihoods. The women mentioned how the crops were affected by the desert locust last year and the basic methods they used to fight them. The crops were eaten by the desert locust and the onion harvest was affected that year. The green leaves of the onion were eaten, and this affected the size and quality of the onion under the ground. Some examples of local methods to stop the spread of desert locust included burning tires to push away the desert locust with the smoke The discussion was not long as women in Sayoun are not familiar with interviews with strangers and they did not show a willingness to complete the discussion. The women who were interviewed mentioned how large groups of locusts attacked the farms and how farmers tried to eradicate the locust groups using traditional ways. Some of the farmers picked up used tires and burned them, others used bullets and shoot to the air, and other used old metal cans to produce noises to make locusts fly away and stop attacking their crops. They said that they struggle to find better job opportunities, but they couldn’t find one. The conflict leads to terrible consequences. They wish if FAO could support them with micro-business projects. Such a project will ease and reduce the burden of psychological distress and pervasive worry about their livelihoods, health, children’s education, how their rent will be paid, and cover food and other essential needs. Consultations with three women: One of the WUAs female members died two weeks ago due to an insect sting, and they couldn’t find a hospital to treat her Majida said (we are so sad for our friend passed away, 49 she was happy to be a member of the WUAs, however, she was stung by an insect, and they could not treat her in Seiyon, she was sick for two days and passed away). For their role in WUAs, they said that After NFDHR community mobilizer Ibtesam Hadi Ba Mahmood explained to them FAO beneficiaries’ selection criteria, they contacted women who were eligible to the criteria and registered their names. They informed women during registration that if their names were ineligible, they will be dropped out. The community context in their area is conservative, if there is a conflict issue in the village, it will be men’s role to solve the issue and not women. Issues raised by WUAs female members: The women in Hadramout need to be trained in activities that will support them in their daily life needs. Such as follows: 1- The women in their area need to be trained in raising livestock, feeding practice for small ruminants. 2- Also, if there is support in microbusinesses training. 3- They are happy to be part of the WUAs and they wish continuity of water user association in their area even after the end of the project. Annex 9: The conducted training and field visit for the south desert locust workers in 2022. Table 10 Summary of the Consultation Conducted for the South Desert Locust Workers in 2022 No. Monitoring Activities Number of Date of Monitoring participants Visit 1- -Conducted Training of Trainers (TOT) course and a 23 30 January to 3 workshop for staff from the agricultural offices focusing February 2022 on the Environmental and Health safety Standards and Environmental and Social Safeguards during the desert locust control campaigns. -Conducted meetings for the preparation of the desert locust contingency plans. 2- -Conducted a field visit to Aden to conduct 24 6-10 February 2022 environmental and social safeguards training for the Desert Locust workers in the southern governorates. -Conducted training for the use of bio-pesticides (green muscle). 3 Awareness session summary 2,653 10-31 arch 2022 50 9.1 Training of Trainers (TOT) for the Environmental and Health safety Standards and Environmental and Social Safeguards during the desert locust control campaigns The Major outcome: ➢ Twenty-three participants from the southern governorates were trained on all the topics included in the program. Trainees had shown a high-level of response to the presented topics, ➢ Trainees had obtained 10.5 out of 25 as an average of grades in the pre-assessment of survey, while in the post-assessment they obtained 20.5 out of 25. Whereas they had obtained 8.0 out of 25 as an average of grades in the pre-assessment of control, while in the post assessment they obtained 21 out of 25. ➢ The trainees showed high-performance progress in their skills between the pre-evaluation and post- evaluation in survey and control. ➢ Trainees’ evaluation to the two courses was as follows: ✓ Organization of the courses: 79% as “Excellent� and 21% as “Good�; ✓ Trainers of the course: 83% as “Excellent� and 17% as “Good�; ✓ Length of daily program: 71% evaluated as "somewhat long", and 63% evaluated the duration as "appropriate"; ✓ 48% of the trainees evaluate the contents of the course as “Very Easy�, and 46% as “Relatively Easy�; and ✓ 96% of the trainees were “Confident� about their ability to exchange the information of the course with others. 9.2 Training on Environmental and Social Safeguard and Environmental and Health Standard (EHS) during the Desert Locust Control Operations and training for use of the of bio-pesticides (green muscle). During five-day training workshop was conducted in February 2022, from 6th to 10th Feb. for the desert locust in Aden, to cover the Environmental and social safeguards tools and health and safety standards. The capacity and awareness of 24 DL workers on the ESS and Health and Safety (HS) issues, which includes: The Major outcome: • Overview of DLR project, Environmental and Social Safeguards Instruments. • Introduction about the Environmental and Health Standards (EHS) during the Desert Locust. • Control operations (identification – objectives – expected results). • Review the executive guide for the EHS. • Risks (identification and types), Monitoring (identification – objectives – procedures – types). • Ecological Chemical Monitoring – Sample Types – Methods of Sampling – Biological Indicators. • Toxicity monitoring – buffer zones – monitoring the ecological accidents. With practical works in the forms. • Review the monitoring forms regarding the chemical storage area. • Field applications about the health and environmental obligations – sampling (water, soil and plants). • Practice preparing Emergency Plans and other ESS tools such as screening checklists, consultation checklists and site-specific PMP mitigation measures. • Pesticide management, application techniques, storage and disposal. • Overview of Test Mate use and forms and analysis. • Principles of the First Aid and its applications in the pesticides and other related toxicity cases. • Community Health and Safety, Awareness raising, and Code of conduct overview. 51 • Grievance mechanism arrangements, Yemen AAP Awareness Raising Session, incidences and monthly reporting requirements. • Gaps and lesson learned of previous DL campaign. The desert locust workers participated in the awareness in During workshop in Aden Yemen, February, Aden workshop, February, 2022 2022 During workshop training in Aden, February, During practical workshop training in Aden, February, 2022 2022 Figure 12 Photos of the Training Performed in Aden, South Yemen 9.3 Awareness Sessions Summary, till March 2022 The awareness campaign started on 10 March 2022 and ended on 31 March 2022 for a period of 20 days with an itinerary for all teams working in the targeted areas with a total number of beneficiaries (2,653) for the governorates of Aden / Lahj / Abyan / Shabwa The Major outcome: - Increasing the waste and Desert Locust awareness to the local community - Descriptions of the mitigation plan and the PMP - Precautions measurers that need to the security situation. 52 Figure (13) shows the awareness beneficiaries number distributed by governorates and districts which included 1,142 is the highest number of beneficiaries was in Abyan, 1,080 of beneficiaries were in Shabawh, 339 were in Lahj and 92 were in Aden including the females, beneficiaries distributed in the Shabwah and Abyan governorates. Total Awareness Beneficiaries Numbers by Governorates and Districts between 10 March to 30 March 1000 903 900 800 637 700 600 443 500 400 215 300 125 150 138 200 92 80 12 24 15 21 100 0 Tour AlBahah Mayfaa WR. Al-Arrah Al-Borayqah Tuban Al-Malah Ahwor Khanfar Radhoom Radhoom Abyan Aden Lahj Shabwah Sum of Total of Beneficiaries Sum of Number of Female Beneficiaries Figure 13 The Total Sessions Beneficiaries Distributed by Governorates and Districts March 2022 Figure (14) shows the total number of beneficiaries from GM materials distributed in March 2022 were (2,653), the number of females beneficiaries was (238) and the number of males beneficiaries was (2,415) and the number of complaints cards that were distributed reached to (3,010) in the governorates of Aden / Lahj / Abyan / Shabwa. The Total Number of Beneficiaries from GM Materials Distributed in March 2022 2000 1560 1500 1142 1069 1080 1000 289 339 500 137 92 92 101 0 Abyan Aden Lahj Shabwah Sum of Number of complaint cards distributed Sum of Number of Female Beneficiaries Sum of Total of Beneficiaries Figure 14 Total Numbers of Beneficiaries from GM Materials Distributed in March 202 53 Yemen Desert Locust Response Project (P174170) Updated Stakeholder Engagement Plan (SEP) Figure (15) shows the most important topics of the awareness session raised by beneficiaries where, 14% of the beneficiaries said, “show the definition of desert locust and its life cycle and desert locust shapes�, 12% Awareness of livestock owners, beekeepers and farmers about the life cycle of locusts and 10% mentioned that the effect and failure to report locusts at their area, when appearance should be direct reported. The Total of the Most Important Topics of the Awareness Raised by Beneficiaries Prevent children from eating locusts that have been sprayed with pesticide, which may 6% danger to the health of children The project has brought a compressor machine for empty barrels of pesticides 6% Creating a communication relationship between the awareness teams and the targets 6% of the survey and control campaign. Awareness of the people about the direct and indirect economic losses when locusts 3% spread Chemical control methods 8% Definition of desert locust and its life cycle with shape 14% Raising awareness of the community by reporting the presence of the nearest 6% counseling center or contacting the patient via the card Giving farmers and beekeepers an idea of the new pesticide, green serum, which not 6% harmful bees and livestock Assisting the survey and locust control team and facilitating their tasks 8% Benefits and importance of using chemical pesticides in the rapid eradication of locusts 8% The effecting and failure to report locusts at their area when appearance should be 10% direct reported Increasin the education about the locust damage in the crop egetation and reflected 8% that in their crops, beehives and animal Awareness of livestock owners, beekeepers and farmers about the life cycle of locusts 12% 0% 2% 4% 6% 8% 10% 12% 14% 16% Figure 15 The Total of the Most Important Topics of the Awareness Raised by Beneficiaries 54 9.4 The awareness sessions in the north during the period June to August 2022 Figure (16) shows the total number of north beneficiaries during the awareness sessions that were conducted until 25 August 2022. The total beneficiaries were (442), where 379 were from Al-Jawf, 30 were from Marib and 33 were from Sana’a. In addition, 91 of the complaint cards were distributed at the same period. Number of North Awareness Beneficiaries Between June and Aug 2022 117 120 102 107 107 100 80 58 56 60 52 33 35 40 18 18 14 17 19 14 20 10 10 89 844 9 8 87 12 41 3 6 6 6 6 2 51 6 1 23 5 21 61 1 2 0 Al-matoon Al-Gayle Majzer Al- Masloob Marib Al-Wadi Sana'a Al-Masloob Al-Hamidat Al-Rawdh Al-Matama Bedbedah Al-Khaleq Al-Hazem Khawlan Al-Zaher Al-Jawf Marib Sana'a Sum of Number of Farmers Beneficiaries Sum of Numbers of Livestock Herders Beneficiaries Sum of Numbers of Beekeepers Beneficiaries Sum of Other Beneficiaries Sum of Number of Female Beneficiaries Sum of Number of the vulnerable/disadvantaged Beneficiaries Sum of Total of Beneficiaries Sum of Number of complaint cards distributed Figure 16 Number of North Awareness Beneficiaries Between June to Aug 2022 55 Figure (17) shows the total number of South beneficiaries which include farmers, beekeepers, livestock herders, etc. during the awareness sessions that were conducted between June-August 2022. The total number of beneficiaries were 3,234, where 1,467 were from Shabwah, 1,438 were from Hadhramoot and 329 were from Al-Maharah. In addition, 2,273 of the complaint cards were distributed at the same period. Numbers of South Awareness Beneficiaries Between June and Aug 2022 1600 1438 1467 1313 1400 1200 1000 800 642 604 561 600 449 329 318 369 400 239 213 257 280 139 146 200 75 60 55 1 0 0 Al-Maharah Hadhramoot Shabwah Sum of Number of Farmers Beneficiaries Sum of Numbers of Livestock Herders Beneficiaries Sum of Numbers of Beekeepers Beneficiaries Sum of Other Beneficiaries Sum of Number of Female Beneficiaries Sum of Number of the vulnerable/disadvantaged Beneficiaries Sum of Total of Beneficiaries Sum of Number of complaint cards distributed Figure 17 Numbers of South Awareness Beneficiaries Between June and Aug 2022 56 Yemen Desert Locust Response Project (P174170) Updated Stakeholder Engagement Plan (SEP) Team No.5 Team No.5 January 2022 / Shabwa Governorate / Radhoom January 2022/ Shabwa Governorate / Mayfa'a Team No.3 Team No.1 January 2022 / Abyan Governorate / Khanfar January 2022 / Lahj Governorate / Toor Albaha 57 Team No.1 Team No.3 31 March 2022 / Aden Governorate / Al-briqah 20 March 2022 / Abyan Governorate / Khanfar Team No.4 Team No.1 17 March 2022 / Abyan Governorate / Ahwar 15 March 2022/ Lahj Governorate / Toor Albaha Figure 18 The Pictures for the Awareness Session in March 2022 58 Annex 10: Distribution of the Grievance Mechanism (GM) Leaflets (cards) FAO distributed 3,555 GM leaflets till the end of 2021 and 3,057 till end of March 2022. Figure 19 shows the number of the GM dispatched leaflets that were distributed, where 2,000 leaflets were distributed in Aden, 805 in Al-Hudeidah and 750 in Shabwa. Total of Percentage of the GM Dispatch Leaflets Distributed Until End 2021 3555 Targeted 13000 Aden 100% 2000 Al-Hudeidah 40% 805 AL Maharah Shabwa \ Atag 25%750 Hadramout \… 0 2000 4000 6000 8000 10000 12000 14000 Percentage of Distribution Distrbution GRM Dispatch Leaflets to the end of 2021 Figure 19 Total Number of the GM Dispatched Leaflets Distributed Until End 2021 Figure 20 shows the GM leaflets that were distributed between the period January to April 2022 where 1,560 leaflets were distributed in Shabwah, 1069 in Abyan, 313 in Lahj and 115 distributed in Aden. Number of the Distributed GM Cards by Governments and Districts to the End of March 2022 847 900 788 772 800 700 600 500 400 300 198 115 151 200 101 24 61 100 0 Al-Mhdraba Tour AlBahah Mayfaa WR. Al-Arrah Al-Borayqah Tuban Magifa Al-Malah Ahwor Radhoom Radhoom Khanfar Abyan Aden Lahj Shabwah Figure 20 Number of the Distributed GM Cards by Governments and Districts 59 Annex 11: YDLRP Minutes of Meeting FAO with Institutions 60 61 Yemen Desert Locust Response Project (P174170) Updated Stakeholder Engagement Plan (SEP) 62 Yemen Desert Locust Response Project (P174170) Updated Stakeholder Engagement Plan (SEP) Annex 12: Meeting between FAO Desert Locust Manager and Deputy Minister in Aden Governorate as announced in Al-Ayyam News Paper 63 Yemen Desert Locust Response Project (P174170) Updated Stakeholder Engagement Plan (SEP) The below details are related to the update SEP 3 Annex 13: Consultation with Desert Locust Workers in the North during 2023 The FAO E&S Officers conducted training and awareness campaign sessions on the ESF materials for (ESMF, LMP, SEP, PMP (ESMP), and gender, for 51 desert locust workers in the north to have their opinion and recommendations about the training conducted on the environment and social risks, pesticides disposal and recognizing the difficulties and problems faced by the local population. The key findings/concerns raised: - Desert locust Workers stopped by the beekeepers in the field. - Requesting a Proper temporary storage area for the pesticides - Lack of awareness in the community and this forms a challenge to the workers to use pesticides in some areas. - No cooperation from the community (e.g., they refuse to move their bees temporarily to use a safe area, moving their animal to a different safe pastures). Figure (21) shows the percentage of the Desert Locust Workers in the north (51) who have sufficient experience dealing with local peoples, where 96% said they have sufficient experiences dealing with local peoples and 4% said they do not have sufficient experience dealing with local peoples. The Percentage of Desert Locust Workers Had Sufficient Experiances Dealing with Local Peoples 4% 96% Yes No Figure 21 Percentage Experiences Years for the desert Locust Workers Figure (22) shows the percentage of the Desert Locust Workers in the north (51) who received training on applying environmental health and safety standards before, during and after Desert Locust control campaigns, where 73% said that they received training and 27% them stated that they did not receive any training on applying environmental health and safety standards before, during and after Desert Locust control campaigns. 64 The Percentage of Desert Locust Workers Conducted ESS Training 27% 73% Yes No Figure 22 The Percentage of the desert Locust Workers Who Conducted the ESS Training Figure (23) shows the opinions of the Desert locust workers about disposal of the empty and expired pesticides containers. Of these workers 94% did not answer, and 6% said that they return the empty and expired pesticides containers to the Desert Locust Center warehouse. This result is likely due to the consultation that was conducted before conducting the training on pesticides handling, the result seems excellent after the pesticides handling training conducted. Opinions of the Desert Locast Workers about Disposal Empty and Expired Pesticides Containers Blank no answer 94% Return it to the DL center warehouse 6% 0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100% Figure 23 Opinions the Desert Locust Workers about the final Disposal the Pesticides Waste Figure (24) shows the desert Locust workers opinion about the major obstacles faced, where 77% of them thought that beekeepers were the biggest obstacles during implementation the locust control. They need; 1- Support from the government 2- Increasing awareness, 3- Pesticides that do not harm bees and 4- To moving their beehives. Moreover, 23% of the desert locust workers said the major obstacles they faced 65 were, 1-The presences of animals in the target area 2- The community needs proper awareness, 3- Livestock owners prevent the team from work and spray and 4- Working in the restricted areas (close for security reasons). FAO has already responded to their comments and recommendations by increasing awareness in the targeted community and through the social media and updating the Security Plan with closed arrangement with governmental security offices. The DLW Opinion's about the Big Obstacles 77% 80% 70% 60% 50% 23% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% Many of the DL workers thought that The others think: 1- Presences of animal beekeepers were the big obstacles during in the target area 2- Community needs the spray the pesticides. They need 1- aproper awareness , 3- livestock owners Support form government 2- Increasing prevent the team from work and spray the awareness , 3- provide the pesticides and 4- restricted area (close for security not harm the bees and 4- moving the reasons) beehives Figure 24 Desert locust workers Opinion about Big Obstacles Faced Summary of the Recommendations from the north Desert Locust Workers in 2023 Recommendations from the Desert locust Workers in the North A-Suggest ways to improve the performance of survey and control operations most effectively 1-Providing transportation for Desert Locust technicians working in the breeding areas. 2-Providing the Desert Locust technicians with survey & control tools. 3-Suporting the Desert Locust team with appropriate financial and provide them medical insurance. 4-The financial payments and operating costs should not be delayed. 5-Providing an emergency budget 6-Training on health, environment and social safety principles and standards. 7-Establishing a committee from the local authority and community in the districts to resolve the problems and difficulties facing the teams 8- Educating the community about the danger of desert locusts and benefits of control operation. 9-Provide an emergency budget 10- Advice for establishing an advanced unit to control desert locusts. 66 11- Advice to use organic pesticides 12-Looking for assistance and guidance from the local people of the area 13Give farmers and beekeepers a period of time or support them before DL control. Providing a safe pesticide for bees 14- Providing all teams with suitable PPE 15-Supporting the team with programs, smart phone devices, and training 16-Including special team for the awareness 17-Providing spraying machines B-Suggest ways to preserve the environment and human health from effects of pesticides during the control. 18-Follow the survey plan for the affected areas and following the working operation plan. 19-Calibrate the spray machines. 20-Apply health and safety measures 21-Implement appropriate awareness before the control operation and the mitigation measures taken. 22- Development of the pesticide’s disposal plan 23-Advice to use Bio pesticides in farms and areas close to the population and water resources. 24- Preparing movement plan 25-Avoid any pesticides spill on soil. 26-Periodic monitoring and evaluation after, during and after the occurrence of control 27- Preparing the rotation plan for the DLW in Field survey 28- Refreshment training in the Safety /transport the pesticides and hazard waste disposal C-Suggest recommendations related to the social aspect involving the local population 29- Awareness (using different media) is the key build trust between the community and the locust team. And cumulative information about locust threatens food security and the impacts of pesticides. 30- Rasing awareness for the farmers 31- Involvement of some beekeepers in the control workshops, involve the imams of mosques, local leaders in courses and workshops. 32- Coordinate through staff from the Agriculture Office, sheikhs, area heads and communicate with farmers before and after the locust control. 33- Working safe in different situations and security-dangerous areas 34- Advice to use official letters from local authorities send to sheikhs and area heads. for cooperation 35-Provide posters and flyers and educate community on the affecting the pesticides and locusts. Annex 14: Awareness session Summary, from January till April 2023 The awareness campaign started on January 2023 and ended on 03 April 2023 with an itinerary by all teams working in the targeted areas with a total number of beneficiaries (32.365) in the governorates of Shabwah, Sana’a, Lahj, Hajjah, Amran, Al-Mahweet, Al-Hodiedah, Al-Amana, Aden and Abyan. The Major outcome: • Increasing the awareness of the local community on the cumulative waste due Desert Locust spray • Descriptions of the mitigation plan and the PMP • Precautions measurers required to the security situation. 67 Figure (25) shows the total number of north and south beneficiaries during the awareness sessions that were conducted until March 2023. The total beneficiaries were (32365), the major distribution where 12219 were from Abyan, 6197 were from Lahj and 4996 were from Shabwah. In addition, 2969 were in AlHodaidah, 945 in Sana’a and AL-Amanah of the total numbers of awareness beneficiaries. Total of the Beneficiaries in North and South from Awareness 2023 4996 Shabwah Sum of Total of Beneficiaries Sana'a 6197 Lahj Sum of Number of the vulnerable/disadvantaged Beneficiaries Hajja Sum of Number of Female Beneficiaries Amran Sum of Numbers of Beekeepers Al-Mahweet Beneficiaries 2969 Al-Hodaidah Sum of Numbers of Livestock Herders Beneficiaries Al-Amana Sum of Number of Farmers 3186 Aden Beneficiaries 12219 Abyan 0 2000 4000 6000 8000 10000 12000 14000 Figure 25 The total beneficiaries in North and South from Awareness activities in2023 Annex 15: Distribution of the Grievance Mechanism (GM) Leaflets (cards) 2023 Figure (26) shows the total of distributed GM information materials distributed during the awareness sessions. Total Products that Includes GM Information 26,360 from 2021 to 2023 20,000 10,000 5 Posters Brouch Podcast Leaflets ures s Count 10,000 20,000 5 26,360 Figure 26 The GM Information Materials Produced 68 Figure (27) shows the total of percentage the GM leaflets distributed in 2023 in the north and south Yemen in total (13625) GM cards during the awareness sessions. Total of the GM Distributed in North and South 2023 5319 6000 5000 2837 4000 3000 1730 578 486 654 937 2000 115 422 547 1000 0 Figure 27 Total of the GM Cards Distributed in the North and South in 2023 Annex 16: Consultation Conducted by the Monitoring & Evaluations Team Performed in 2023, participation number (selected samples about 10): Summary of the consultation visits conducted by the M&E team performed in 2023. No. Monitoring Activities Date of Monitoring Visit 1 Visited to the construction site of the Aden Desert Locust Control Center (DLCC) to gain insights into the progress and challenges of the construction 05/08/2023 to 21/08/2023 works 2 Visited to the construction site of the Aden Desert Locust Control Center (DLCC) to gain insights into the progress and challenges of the construction 20/05/2023 to 11/06/2023 works 3 M&E specialist attended days from the training of the DL training course on 18/02/2023 to 24/02/2023 survey and control for new graduates in Aden Annex 17: Training on GBV/SEA/SH mitigation and prevention for the Desert Locust Workers in South area during 2023 The training was conducted in October 2023, for the desert locust staff from the agricultural offices in Aden. The training focused on the GBV/COC during the desert locust control campaigns. The number of participants attended is (80) Male: (44) and female: (36). The Major outcome: During the training sessions on GBV/SEA/SH mitigation and prevention, the following goals were addressed: 69 - Increasing Knowledge: The primary objective of the training sessions was to enhance the knowledge of participants, including those directly involved parties and key stakeholders, regarding GBV/SEA/SH mitigation and prevention. This involved providing comprehensive information on the various aspects of these issues, including their definitions, causes, and risk factors. - Understanding Underlying Causes and Risk Factors: The training sessions included in-depth discussions on the underlying causes and risk factors that contribute to instances of GBV. By exploring these factors, participants gained a deeper understanding of the root causes of GBV/SEA/SH and were better equipped to mitigate and prevent such occurrences. - Gender and GBV: This session aims to increase participants' understanding of gender-related issues, rights, and equality, as well as how these topics link with GBV mitigation and prevention in activities. - Types of GBV: The training sessions focused on various types of gender-based violence. Participants learned about the various forms of GBV, including Physical, sexual, psychological, emotional, social, economic, deprivation of resources and opportunities, and forced trafficking. Furthermore, provide knowledge on the mapping protection services activity shared by the Yemen GBV and women protection sub cluster in order to promote continuous awareness in the program's targeted areas. SR Name of the training Outputs Governorate Number of Duration of the participants training Male Female 1. 1. Raised awareness and knowledge of South of 16 March 2023 GBV/SEA/SH mitigation GBV/SEA/SH mitigation and prevention among Yemen sensitivity approach and the Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation, and (Aden, Code of conduct clauses Fisheries, and key stakeholders, and provided Abyan and and obligation detailed sessions on understanding the Lahj) underlying causes and risk factors contributing to Participants: MAIF GBV/SEA/SH issues or cases. (Female Working Groups) 2. Developed an understanding of the significance of GBV/SEA/SH concepts and how to apply them to long-term program implementation. 2. GBV/SEA/SH mitigation 3. Increased awareness among decision-makers Aden 22 11 May 2023 sensitivity approach and (key stakeholders) regarding GBV/SEA/SH Code of conduct clauses mitigation and the importance of considering the and obligation. needs of women and girls. Emphasized the Participants: Desert critical role of enhancing women's participation Locust Control and in program activities and decision-making Centre Team, MAIF processes to strengthen their access to rights, employees and Field resources, and services. women groups works 4. Ensured the translation of the Code of Conduct and civil engineering (COC) into the local language (Arabic). and constructor Conducted multiple sessions to ensure a clear employees. understanding of the COC clauses and 3. Training of New obligations, which were then signed by the Lahj 7 7 February 2023 Graduate Students on participants. These actions were undertaken to Abyan - 2 Desert Locust survey promote a better understanding of GBV/SEA/SH and control Operations. among relevant stakeholders, encourage their Al Dhale’a 7 - commitment to mitigating these issues, and Participants: is new ensure adherence to the COC as a framework for Hadhramaut 1 - graduated student from appropriate conduct. Al-Mahra 1 - agriculture university Lahj 2 (Locust department). Abyan 1 - Hadhramaut 2 - Shabwah 1 - 70