Republic of South Sudan Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security Emergency Locust Response Program Phase 3: South Sudan (P174546) ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL COMMITMENT PLAN (ESCP) April 27, 2021 ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL COMMITMENT PLAN (P174546-SOUTH SUDAN) 1. ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL COMMITMENT PLAN 1. The Government of the Republic of South Sudan (GRSS, or the Recipient) will implement the Emergency Locust Response Program Phase 3: South Sudan (the Project) with the involvement of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (MAFS), the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), and the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS). The International Development Association (the Association) has agreed to provide financing for the Project. 2. The Recipient shall implement material measures and actions so that the Project is implemented in accordance with the World Bank Environmental and Social Standards (ESSs) contained in the Environmental and Social Framework (ESF). This Environmental and Social Commitment Plan (ESCP) sets out a summary of the material measures and actions, any specific documents or plans, as well as the timing for each of these. 3. The Recipient is responsible for compliance with all requirements of the ESCP even when implementation of specific measures and actions is conducted by a government agency, UN Agency, other development agency, contractor, or any other entity. This obligation extends to any activities not financed by the Association but considered “associated facilities� according to the definition provided in the ESF. 4. Implementation of the material measures and actions set out in this ESCP shall be monitored and reported to the Association by the Recipient as required by the ESCP, the environmental and social (E&S) instruments called for by this ESCP, and the conditions of the legal agreement, and the Association will monitor and assess progress and completion of the material measures and actions throughout implementation of the Project. 5. As agreed by the Association and the Recipient, this ESCP may be revised from time to time during Project implementation, to reflect adaptive management of Project changes and unforeseen circumstances or in response to assessment of Project performance conducted under the ESCP itself. In such circumstances, the Recipient will agree to the changes with the Association and will update the ESCP to reflect such changes. Agreement on changes to the ESCP will be documented through the exchange of letters signed between the Association and the GoSS, through the MAFS. The Recipient shall promptly disclose the updated ESCP. 6. Where Project changes, unforeseen circumstances, or Project performance result in changes to the environmental or social risks and impacts during Project implementation, the Recipient shall provide additional funds, if needed, to implement actions and measures to address such risks and impacts. 2|P a g e ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL COMMITMENT PLAN (P174546-SOUTH SUDAN) RESPONSIBLE ENTITY/ MATERIAL MEASURES AND ACTIONS TIMEFRAME AUTHORITY MONITORING AND REPORTING A REGULAR REPORTING: Prepare and submit to the Association, Starting from the Effective Date, every 180 days during MAFS regular monitoring reports on the environmental, social, health and the Project’s implementation in conjunction with the safety (ESHS) performance of the Project, including but not limited Project’s progress reports to, the implementation of the ESCP, status of preparation and implementation of other E&S documents required under the ESCP, stakeholder engagement plan, Labour Management Procedure, ESMF, Pest Management Plan, and the grievance mechanism. B INCIDENTS AND ACCIDENTS: Promptly notify the Association Notify the Association within 48 hours after learning of MAFS of any incident or accident related to the Project which has, or is the incident or accident using such reporting formats as likely to have, a significant adverse effect on the environment, the the Association may require. affected communities, the public or workers, including social and economic aspects, as well as indirect environmental and social aspects, in addition to associated occupational health and safety incidents and accidents. Reporting shall provide sufficient details regarding the incident or accident, indicating immediate measures taken or that are planned to be taken to address it, and any information provided by any contractor and supervising entity, as appropriate. Subsequently, at the Association’s request, prepare a report on the A detailed report of the incident shall be provided within incident or accident and propose any measures to prevent its fifteen (15) days of the incident or accident notification, recurrence. unless a different timeline is specified by the Association. 3|P a g e ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL COMMITMENT PLAN (P174546-SOUTH SUDAN) RESPONSIBLE ENTITY/ MATERIAL MEASURES AND ACTIONS TIMEFRAME AUTHORITY D INCIDENTS AND ACCIDENTS UNDER CONTRACTORS’ Notify the Recipient within 48 hours of contractor Any party under ACTIVITIES. The Recipient shall require all contractors to learning of the incident or accident, using such reporting contract to MAFS as promptly provide notification of any incident or accident related to the formats as the Association may require. part of project Project which has, or is likely to have, a significant adverse effect on implementation the environment, the affected communities, the public or workers, including social and economic aspects, as well as indirect environmental and social aspects, in addition to associated occupational health and safety incidents and accidents. Reporting shall provide sufficient details regarding the incident or accident, indicating immediate measures taken or that are planned to be taken to address it, and any information provided by any contractor and supervising entity, as appropriate. A detailed report of the incident shall be required within The Recipient shall also require all contractors to subsequently fifteen (15) days of the incident or accident notification, prepare a report on the incident or accident and propose measures to unless a different timeline is specified by the Recipient or prevent its recurrence. This report shall be submitted to the Recipient the Association. and, upon request, to the Association. ESS 1: ASSESSMENT AND MANAGEMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL RISKS AND IMPACTS 1.1 ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE: (a) Establish and maintain a (a) The PCU shall be established no later than 90 days (a) MAFS Project Coordination Unit (PCU) with qualified staff and resources to after Project effectiveness, including one Environmental support the management of environmental and social risks and Specialist, one Social Specialist, and one Gender impacts of the Project, including one Environmental Specialist, one (GBV/SEA) Specialist. The PCU shall be maintained Social Specialist, and one Gender Specialist. Additional expertise throughout Project implementation. 4|P a g e ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL COMMITMENT PLAN (P174546-SOUTH SUDAN) RESPONSIBLE ENTITY/ MATERIAL MEASURES AND ACTIONS TIMEFRAME AUTHORITY shall be outsourced as needed to ensure implementation of the Project in accordance with the ESSs and this ESCP. (b) Contract the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United (b) Finalize contract with FAO within 30 days of Project (b) MAFS Nations (FAO) as the lead technical partner for implementation of the Effectiveness. program, all the responsibilities for implementing the ESF for the program and for providing technical assistance to the PCU to build staff capacity to manage implementation. These obligations, including to ensure Project implementation in accordance with the ESSs and this ESCP, shall be clearly articulated in the contract agreement in a manner satisfactory to the Association. (c) Engage an independent Third-Party Monitoring Agent (TPMA) to independently monitor and review project environmental and social performance (defined in the ESMF and the PAD and listed as conditions in Financing Agreement) as per TOR prepared, adopted, (c) Complete hiring of the TPMA within 180 days of (c) MAFS and implemented by MAFS to the satisfaction of the Association. effectiveness. Submit quarterly throughout Further provide TPMA findings on implementation of the ESF as part implementation. of the regularly quarterly progress reports submitted to the Association. 1.2 ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL ASSESSMENT: a. ESMF to be prepared, consulted on, and disclosed MAFS within 60 days after Project Effectiveness. No activities a. Prepare, disclose, adopt, and implement environmental and social may be implemented under Subcomponent 1.2 and management framework (ESMF) for the Project, in accordance with Component 2 until ESMF and any required site-specific ESSs. Project activities shall be screened for E&S risks, and ESMPs are in place. Between Project Effectiveness and mitigation measures adopted, in accordance with the ESMF. the disclosure and adoption of the ESMF, the Project shall 5|P a g e ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL COMMITMENT PLAN (P174546-SOUTH SUDAN) RESPONSIBLE ENTITY/ MATERIAL MEASURES AND ACTIONS TIMEFRAME AUTHORITY strictly follow current FAO Desert Locust Guidelines in a manner consistent with the ESSs. Assessment to be conducted and mitigation measures to be adopted before the carrying out of the relevant Project activities. b. Prepare, disclose, adopt, and implement Integrated Pest b. Within 60 days of Project Effectiveness and in any MAFS Management Plan (IPMP) to the satisfaction of the event before the carrying out of swarm control activities Association. Waste management measures, including those related to or using agrichemicals during cropping activities under managing waste resulting from applying pesticides and for any subcomponent 2.2. COVID-related material, shall be detailed in the ESMF and Integrated Pest Management Plan (IPMP). All these instruments and measures shall be prepared to the satisfaction of the Association. c. Prepare, disclose, adopt, and implement any environmental and c. Within 60 days of Project Effectiveness. MAFS social assessments and management plans or other instruments Notwithstanding other provisions in this ESCP, E&S required for the respective Project activities as per the screening plans and instruments shall be prepared before the process, in accordance with the ESSs, the ESMF, the IPMP (including carrying out of the relevant Project activities which a mechanism to determine if site-specific IPMPs must be prepared), require specific plans as per the ESMF and thereafter the EHSGs, and other relevant Good International Industry Practice throughout the carrying out of such activities. No (GIIP). activities may be implemented under Component 1 until the national IPMP and site-specific PMPs -if such ESMPs are required- are in place. 1.3 EXCLUSIONS: Exclude the following types of activities as Screening and exclusion to be conducted during the MAFS ineligible for financing under the Project: assessment process under action 1.2.a. above and during implementation. 6|P a g e ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL COMMITMENT PLAN (P174546-SOUTH SUDAN) RESPONSIBLE ENTITY/ MATERIAL MEASURES AND ACTIONS TIMEFRAME AUTHORITY • Activities that may cause long term, permanent and/or irreversible adverse impacts (e.g. loss of major natural habitat). • Activities that may have significant adverse social impacts and may give rise to significant social conflict. • Activities that may affect lands significantly or rights of indigenous people or other vulnerable minorities. • Activities, including new constructions or expansions, that may involve, physical relocation or adverse impacts on cultural heritage. • All the other excluded activities set out in the ESMF of the Project. ESS 2: LABOR AND WORKING CONDITIONS 2.1 LABOR MANAGEMENT: The Project shall be carried out in The LMP shall be prepared prior to project effectiveness MAFS accordance with the applicable requirements of ESS2, in a manner and implemented throughout Project implementation. acceptable to the Association, including through, inter alia, implementing adequate occupational health and safety measures (including emergency preparedness and response measures), establishing out grievance arrangements for Project workers, and incorporating labor requirements into the ESHS specifications of the procurement documents and contracts with contractors. The Recipient shall prepare, disclose, adopt, and implement a Labor Management Procedures (LMP), with measures for GBV/SEA, incorporating the relevant requirements of ESS2, in a manner acceptable to the Association. 7|P a g e ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL COMMITMENT PLAN (P174546-SOUTH SUDAN) RESPONSIBLE ENTITY/ MATERIAL MEASURES AND ACTIONS TIMEFRAME AUTHORITY ESS 3: RESOURCE EFFICIENCY AND POLLUTION PREVENTION AND MANAGEMENT 3.1 RESOURCE EFFICIENCY AND POLLUTION PREVENTION Within 60 days of Project Effectiveness and in any event MAFS AND MANAGEMENT: The Recipient shall prepare, consult on, before the carrying out of swarm control activities or adopt, and publicly disclose an: using agrichemicals during cropping activities under subcomponent 2.2. Integrated Pest Management Plan (IPMP), including emergency response measures and measures to mitigate water, air and soil impacts; Waste Management Plan as part of the IPMP to manage waste resulting from applying pesticides and for any COVID-related material. 3.2 MANAGEMENT OF WASTE AND HAZARDOUS Within 60 days after Project Effectiveness and throughout MAFS MATERIALS: Relevant aspects of this standard shall be considered, Project implementation. as needed, under action 1.2 above, including, inter alia, measures for (i) adequate design of pesticide transportation, storage, handling, and management facilities; (ii) management of stocks in an effective, efficient, and transparent way, (iii) improvement of the capacity of health centers in the treatment of pesticide poisoning incidents; (iv) disposal of unwanted or surplus insecticides shall follow the applicable requirements under the relevant ESSs, the EHSGs, and other relevant GIIP and relevant FAO guidelines satisfactory to the Association. 3.2 The Recipient shall establish appropriate environmental monitoring Within 60 days after Project Effectiveness and throughout MAFS procedures for the implementation of environmental risk management Project implementation. 8|P a g e ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL COMMITMENT PLAN (P174546-SOUTH SUDAN) RESPONSIBLE ENTITY/ MATERIAL MEASURES AND ACTIONS TIMEFRAME AUTHORITY measures; as (i) designing an appropriate environmental protection plan in the context of regular project monitoring, (ii) on insecticide application quality, control efficacy and the reporting of incidents; all in accordance with ESS3 and with the FAO Desert Locust Guidelines, section 6; the Safety and Environmental Precautions issued 2003; the International Code of Conduct on Pesticide Management of the WHO FAO of the United Nations issued 2014; Good Practices for Aerial and Ground Application of Pesticides. ESS 4: COMMUNITY HEALTH AND SAFETY 4.1 Relevant aspects of this standard shall be considered, as needed, under Within 60 days after Project Effectiveness and throughout MAFS action 1.2 above, including, inter alia, measures to: Project implementation. • minimize the potential for community exposure to hazardous chemicals and communicable diseases; • consider the World Bank Directive on the inclusion of Vulnerable Groups to provide such vulnerable groups access to the development benefits resulting from the Project; and • follow the World Bank Good Practice Note on the use of Third-Party Monitoring and on Labor Influx. 4.2 The Recipient shall prepare emergency preparedness measures in case Within 60 days after Project Effectiveness and thereafter, MAFS of significant chemical spills or other health and safety related implement those measures throughout Project implementation. 9|P a g e ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL COMMITMENT PLAN (P174546-SOUTH SUDAN) RESPONSIBLE ENTITY/ MATERIAL MEASURES AND ACTIONS TIMEFRAME AUTHORITY incidents including specific fire control and prevention plan measures under Component 1. 4.3 Under Component 1, the Recipient shall implement emergency As required, throughout Project implementation MAFS preparedness measures in case of significant chemical spills or other health and safety related incidents. 4.4 Conduct training for the community to heighten awareness of risks Throughout Project implementation. MAFS associated with spraying and to mitigate impacts specified in the IPMP prior to the commencement of activities. 4.5 GBV AND SEA RISKS: MAFS a. The Recipient shall prepare, adopt, and implement (i) a Community a. Prepared and adopted within 60 days after Project Health and Safety Plan and (ii) a Gender-Based Violence Action Plan Effectiveness and complied to throughout Project (GBV Action Plan), to assess and manage the risks of gender-based implementation. violence (GBV) and sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA). b. Conduct a quality assessment of the current GBV and child b. Within 90 days of Project effectiveness and complied to protective referral pathway service providers and make available in throughout Project implementation. the Project-affected communities using good practice standards of care. Further prepare a clear strategy of service provision in areas where there are gaps in GBV services including the recruitment of a Gender Specialist with strong GBV experience in the PCU, and the engagement of GBV service providers. 10 | P a g e ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL COMMITMENT PLAN (P174546-SOUTH SUDAN) RESPONSIBLE ENTITY/ MATERIAL MEASURES AND ACTIONS TIMEFRAME AUTHORITY 4.6 SECURITY MANAGEMENT: Prepare, adopt, and implement the Prepared and adopted within 90 days after Project MAFS Security Management Plan (SMP) for the Project acceptable to the Effectiveness and complied to throughout Project Association consistent with ESS4 to protect all Project workers, implementation Project-affected parties and Project investments. ESS 5: LAND ACQUISITION, RESTRICTIONS ON LAND USE AND INVOLUNTARY RESETTLEMENT 5.1 Prepare, disclose, and adopt Voluntary Land Donation (VLD) Preparation as part of the ESMF and completed within 60 MAFS Guidelines in accordance with ESS5 requirements, in a manner days after Project Effectiveness. Implementation acceptable to the Association. No construction of any pesticide throughout Project implementation. storages facilities shall be initiated until those guidelines are disclosed and adopted by the communities. ESS 6: BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION AND SUSTAINABLE MANAGEMENT OF LIVING NATURAL RESOURCES 6.1 Relevant aspects of this standard shall be considered under action 1.2 Assessment and mitigation measures within 60 days after MAFS above. Ensure identification of all areas that are ecologically and Project Effectiveness, throughout Project implementation. agronomically important, or particularly sensitive areas that have limited resistance to impacts of insecticides, to identify appropriate locust control technique and include mitigation measures to protect natural habitats and ecologically sensitive areas in accordance with ESS6, including measures related to storage and disposal of unused quantities of synthetic pesticides and bio-pesticides. ESS 7: INDIGENOUS PEOPLES/SUB-SAHARAN AFRICAN HISTORICALLY UNDERSERVED TRADITIONAL LOCAL COMMUNITIES 11 | P a g e ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL COMMITMENT PLAN (P174546-SOUTH SUDAN) RESPONSIBLE ENTITY/ MATERIAL MEASURES AND ACTIONS TIMEFRAME AUTHORITY 7.1 The Project shall be implemented in accordance with ESS7. MAFS The Social Assessment shall be prepared within 60 days MAFS shall conduct a Social Assessment to provide information and identify after Project Effectiveness potential activities to address specific vulnerabilities and social inclusion challenges. This Social Assessment shall assess specific risks resulting from the interaction between local social structures (culture, traditional institutions, habits) and livelihood systems with livelihood interventions and outline in a social development plan appropriate ways of engaging with local communities, ensure equal access to Project benefits, including for vulnerable households, avoid elite capture, and avoid any increase of social tensions in or between communities (with a focus on communal pastures). The outcomes of the Social Assessment shall be incorporated in the ESMF. The Recipient shall ensure that these communities are appropriately informed and can share in the Project benefits in an inclusive and Throughout Project implementation culturally appropriate manner, including by including appropriate provisions to this effect in the SEP. 7.2 The SEP update shall have adequate coverage on stakeholder The SEP shall be updated, consulted, and disclosed within MAFS engagement and communication in culturally and linguistically 60 days after Project Effectiveness, prior to appropriate for the Indigenous People/Sub-Saharan Africa disbursements. Historically Underserved Traditional Local Communities (IP/SSAHUTLC) context in South Sudan to address potential risks for the activities under all relevant project components prior to disbursements. 12 | P a g e ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL COMMITMENT PLAN (P174546-SOUTH SUDAN) RESPONSIBLE ENTITY/ MATERIAL MEASURES AND ACTIONS TIMEFRAME AUTHORITY 7.3 The Recipient shall ensure that such communities are appropriately Throughout Project implementation MAFS informed about project activities in an inclusive and culturally appropriate manner taking into account the dynamics of diverse communities represented in the project areas, with provisions included in the SEP as well as the social development plans noted above. 7.4 If the Project intends to develop and use community owned and Consent shall be obtained prior to development and use of MAFS developed bio-pesticides for the locust infestation response, an bio-pesticides, and continuous engagement throughout appropriate process of consultation shall be held, including to obtain Project implementation community consent and define benefit sharing. ESS8: CULTURAL HERITAGE 8.1 Relevant aspects of this standard shall be considered, as needed, in the Chance find procedure as part of the ESMF and on MAFS ESMF as outlined under action 1.2 above. timeframe specified in 1.2. Throughout Project implementation ESS9: FINANCIAL INTERMEDIARIES Not relevant. ESS10: STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT AND INFORMATION DISCLOSURE 13 | P a g e ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL COMMITMENT PLAN (P174546-SOUTH SUDAN) RESPONSIBLE ENTITY/ MATERIAL MEASURES AND ACTIONS TIMEFRAME AUTHORITY 10.1 STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT PLAN: Update, disclose, adopt Prior to Project Effectiveness MAFS and implement the preliminary Stakeholder Engagement Plan (SEP) consistent with ESS10, in a manner acceptable to the Association. 10.2 UPDATE SEP: The Recipient shall update (to provide enhanced The overall Project SEP shall be updated for Component 1 MAFS operational details) and implement the SEP prepared prior to and 2, consulted, and disclosed prior to disbursements for appraisal, defining further details on the operational steps consistent Component 1 and 2. with ESS10, in a manner acceptable to the Association. For Component 1 and 2, the SEP shall be updated to include, among other elements, appropriate community consultation mechanisms to avoid any unintended consequences by locust control measures. SEP shall include measures so that all community members, including the vulnerable and pastoralists are appropriately informed. Under Component 2, the SEP shall be updated to include, among other elements, additional appropriate community consultation mechanisms to support an adequate targeting mechanism and to establish appropriate livelihood interventions on communal assets in line with ESS10, ESS7 and this ESCP. 10.3 STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT AND INFORMATION Throughout Project implementation. MAFS DISCLOSURE: Implement the SEP(s) consistent with ESS10, including the use of different, culturally appropriate communication approaches to ensure communication also with the most vulnerable, including illiterate and people with disabilities. 14 | P a g e ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL COMMITMENT PLAN (P174546-SOUTH SUDAN) RESPONSIBLE ENTITY/ MATERIAL MEASURES AND ACTIONS TIMEFRAME AUTHORITY 10.4 GRIEVANCE MECHANISM: Accessible grievance arrangements Operationalized before commencement of Project MAFS shall be made publicly available to receive and facilitate resolution of activities and maintained throughout Project concerns and grievances in relation to the Project, consistent with implementation. ESS10, in a manner acceptable to the Association. CAPACITY SUPPORT (TRAINING) Trainings for personnel involved in Project implementation, and Trainings identified in the ESMF within 60 days of the MAFS awareness raising for the community shall be conducted regularly three ESF positions being filled. covering all subjects identified in the ESMF. The trainings shall include but not be limited to: Throughout Project implementation • Capacity building for staff of MAFS and implementing partners on stakeholder mapping and engagement, specific requirements on the ESMF, IPMP, and social development plan. • Training for farmers, pastoralists, experts, and government officials at different levels on locust infestation control management, and others using the FAO Desert Locust Control Training Manual • Community awareness raising for clan and religious leaders, trainings on community health and safety, and the impact of pesticide spraying before, during and after the spraying. • Specific aspects of environmental and social assessment 15 | P a g e ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL COMMITMENT PLAN (P174546-SOUTH SUDAN) RESPONSIBLE ENTITY/ MATERIAL MEASURES AND ACTIONS TIMEFRAME AUTHORITY • Emergency preparedness and response including early warning systems • Training of technicians on pesticides management and application techniques • Code of conduct to prevent GBV and SEA • Training of field staff/workers on OHS measures • GBV and response mechanism for workers and communities; • GRM for project workers and the project host communities; 16 | P a g e