ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL COMMITMENT PLAN (ESCP) TAJIKISTAN EMERGENCY COVID-19 PROJECT (P173765) and ADDITIONAL FINANCING (P175168) Republic of Tajikistan Ministry of Health and Social Protection of the Population The Tajikistan Emergency COVID-19 Project (P173765) Including Additional Financing (P175168) ENVIRONMENTAL and SOCIAL COMMITMENT PLAN (ESCP) October 21, 2020 ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL COMMITMENT PLAN (ESCP) TAJIKISTAN EMERGENCY COVID-19 PROJECT (P173765) and ADDITIONAL FINANCING (P175168) ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL COMMITMENT PLAN 1. The Republic of Tajikistan (the Recipient) is implementing the Tajikistan Emergency COVID-19 Project and will implement the Additional Financing for the Tajikistan Emergency COVID-19 Project (the Project1), with the involvement of the following Ministries/agencies/units: Ministry of Health and Social Protection of the Population of the Republic of Tajikistan (MOHSP) and State Agency for Social Protection under MOHSP. The International Development Association (hereinafter the Association) has agreed to provide additional financing for the Project. 2. The Recipient will implement material measures and actions so that the Project activities are implemented in accordance with the Environmental and Social Standards (ESSs). This Environmental and Social Commitment Plan (ESCP) sets out 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 the MOHSP or its subordinate agencies and units. 4. Implementation of the material measures and actions set out in this ESCP will be monitored and reported to the Association by the Recipient as required by the 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 the implementation of the Project. 5. As agreed by the Association and the Recipient, this ESCP may be revised from time to time during the 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 Recipient. The Recipient will promptly disclose the updated ESCP. 6. Where Project changes, unforeseen circumstances, or Project performance result in changes to the 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. 1As once the Additional Finance becomes effective, it becomes part of the Parent Project, “The Project� refers to the entire Tajikistan Emergency COVID- 19 Project, including the Additional Financing. ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL COMMITMENT PLAN (ESCP) TAJIKISTAN EMERGENCY COVID-19 PROJECT (P173765) and ADDITIONAL FINANCING (P175168) MATERIAL MEASURES AND ACTIONS TIMEFRAME RESPONSIBLE ENTITY/AUTHORITY MONITORING AND REPORTING A REGULAR REPORTING: Prepare and submit to the Association regular Quarterly throughout Project Implementation MOHSP monitoring reports on the environmental, social, health and safety (ESHS) performance of the Project, including but not limited to, stakeholder engagement activities and grievances log. ESS 1: ASSESSMENT AND MANAGEMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL RISKS AND IMPACTS 1.1 ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE: Ministry of Health and Social Protection The PIU staff, including Environmental and Social Risk MOHSP (MOHSP) shall maintain the PIU with qualified staff and resources to support Management Specialists, should be maintained the management of ESHS risks and impacts of the Project, including throughout Project implementation environmental and social risk management specialists. 1.2 ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL ASSESSMENT/MANAGEMENT PLANS MOHSP AND INSTRUMENTS/ CONTRACTORS a. Assess the environmental and social risks and impacts of proposed Project a. The ESMF to be updated and disclosed before works begin activities in accordance with ESS1 and the Environmental and Social on any oxygen supply systems financed. Screening under Management Framework (ESMF) prepared for the Project and to be updated the ESFM shall continue to be conducted before the for the Additional Financing. The updated ESMF will include templates for carrying out of the respective Project activities. site specific Environmental and Social Management Plans (ESMP), Infection Control and Medical Waste Management Plan (ICWMP), and ESMPs with b. ESMPs or instruments acceptable to the Association, will be OHS requirements & Emergency Response Plan for Oxygen Supply Systems prepared before beginning the relevant Project activities, and Refill Stations. Assessment includes ensuring that individuals or groups and thereafter implemented throughout the who, because of their particular circumstances, may be disadvantaged or implementation of such activities. vulnerable, have access to the development benefits resulting from the Project. c. Before launching the procurement process for the relevant b. Prepare, disclose, adopt, and implement any environmental and social Project activities and thereafter ensure that contractors management plans (ESMPs) or other instruments required for the and supervising firms comply with the ESHS specifications respective Project activities as per the screening process, in accordance in their contracts through their involvement in the with the ESSs and the updated ESMF, in a manner acceptable to the respective Project activities. Association. c. Incorporate the relevant aspects of the ESMPs, including, inter alia, any environmental and social management plans or other instruments, ESS2 requirements, and any other required ESHS measures, into the ESHS specifications of the procurement documents and contracts with contractors and supervising firms. Thereafter ensure that the contractors and supervising firms comply with the ESHS specifications of their respective ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL COMMITMENT PLAN (ESCP) TAJIKISTAN EMERGENCY COVID-19 PROJECT (P173765) and ADDITIONAL FINANCING (P175168) contracts. MATERIAL MEASURES AND ACTIONS TIMEFRAME RESPONSIBLE ENTITY/AUTHORITY 1.3 EXCLUSIONS: The following type of activities shall not be eligible for finance These exclusions shall be applied as part of the assessment MOHSP under the Project: process conducted under action 1.2.a. above. • Activities that may cause long term, permanent and/or irreversible (e.g. loss of major natural habitat) adverse impacts on the environment • Activities that may have significant adverse social impacts and may give rise to significant social conflict • Activities that may affect lands or rights of indigenous people or other vulnerable minorities, • Activities that may involve permanent resettlement or land acquisition or adverse impacts on cultural heritage • All the other excluded activities set out in the ESMF of the Project. 1.4 TARGETED SOCIAL ASSISTANCE: Ministry of Continuous monitoring of food prices effecting cash transfers if food prices Monitoring to be done for the first six months, then as and Economic rise when the situation warrants Development and Trade and MOHSP ESS 2: LABOR AND WORKING CONDITIONS 2.1 LABOR MANAGEMENT: Throughout Project implementation. MOHSP a. The Project shall be carried out in accordance with the applicable requirements of ESS2, in a manner acceptable to the Association, including through, inter alia, implementing adequate occupational health and safety measures (including emergency preparedness and response measures), setting out grievance arrangements for Project workers, and incorporating labor requirements into the ESHS specifications of the procurement documents and contracts with contractors and supervising firms. b. Implement the existing Labor Management Procedures developed as part of the POM and incorporate any updates specific to the AF, where required. ESS 3: RESOURCE EFFICIENCY AND POLLUTION PREVENTION AND MANAGEMENT Relevant aspects of this standard shall be considered, as needed, under Throughout Project implementation. MOHSP action 1.2 above, including, inter alia, measures to: manage health care wastes, and other types of hazardous and non-hazardous wastes. ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL COMMITMENT PLAN (ESCP) TAJIKISTAN EMERGENCY COVID-19 PROJECT (P173765) and ADDITIONAL FINANCING (P175168) ESS 4: COMMUNITY HEALTH AND SAFETY Relevant aspects of this standard shall be considered, as needed, under Throughout Project implementation. MOHSP action 1.2 above including, inter alia, measures to: minimize the potential for community exposure to communicable diseases; ensure that individuals or groups who, because of their particular circumstances, may be disadvantaged or vulnerable, have access to the development benefits resulting from the Project ; manage the risks of the use of security personnel; manage the risks of labor influx; and prevent and respond to sexual exploitation and abuse, and sexual harassment. ESS 5: LAND ACQUISITION, RESTRICTIONS ON LAND USE AND INVOLUNTARY RESETTLEMENT 5.1 Relevant aspects of this standard shall be considered, as needed, under Throughout Project implementation. MOHSP action 1.2 above. ESS 6: BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION AND SUSTAINABLE MANAGEMENT OF LIVING NATURAL RESOURCES All works will be conducted within the existing footprint of facilities; hence, this standard is not considered currently relevant to the proposed project interventions. ESS 7: INDIGENOUS PEOPLES/SUB-SAHARAN AFRICAN HISTORICALLY UNDERSERVED TRADITIONAL LOCAL COMMUNITIES Not relevant. ESS 8: CULTURAL HERITAGE All works will be conducted within the existing footprint of facilities; hence, this standard is not considered currently relevant to the proposed project interventions. ESS 9: FINANCIAL INTERMEDIARIES Not relevant. ESS 10: STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT AND INFORMATION DISCLOSURE 10.1 STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT PLAN (SEP): Implement the SEP Throughout Project implementation. MOHSP consistent with ESS10, in a manner acceptable to the Association. If necessary, make updates to the SEP during project implementation. MATERIAL MEASURES AND ACTIONS TIMEFRAME RESPONSIBLE ENTITY/AUTHORITY 10.3 GRIEVANCE MECHANISM: Accessible grievance arrangements shall be Throughout Project implementation. MOHSP made publicly available to receive and facilitate resolution of concerns and grievances in relation to the Project activities, consistent with ESS10, in a manner acceptable to the Association. CAPACITY SUPPORT (TRAINING) ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL COMMITMENT PLAN (ESCP) TAJIKISTAN EMERGENCY COVID-19 PROJECT (P173765) and ADDITIONAL FINANCING (P175168) Training topics for personnel involved in Project implementation will Throughout Project implementation. MOHSP among others include: • ESF training for the MOHSP and PIU • COVID-19 Infection Prevention and Control Recommendations • Laboratory biosafety guidance related to the COVID-19 • Specimen collection and shipment • Standard precautions for COVID-19 patients • Risk communication and community engagement • WHO guidelines on quarantine and Tajikistan Sanitary Regulations and Norms • Medical Waste Management and Disposal • Risk Management for Oxygen Supply Systems and Refill Stations