Kosovo Emergency COVID-19 Response Project and Additional Financing (P176661) ENVIRONMENTAL and SOCIAL COMMITMENT PLAN (ESCP) April 17, 2021 [1] [1] To be updated to the Negotiation Date in due course. 1|Page ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL COMMITMENT PLAN 1. The Republic of Kosovo (hereinafter the Recipient) shall implement the Kosovo Emergency COVID-19 Response Project(P173819); including activities to be supported under the additional financing (P176661) for the Project (Project), with the involvement of the Ministry of Health (MoH) and Ministry of Finance Labour and Transfer (MoFLT). The International Development Association (hereinafter 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 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 Ministries referenced in 1. above. 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 and the conditions of the legal agreement, and the Association shall 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 shall agree to the changes with the Association and shall update the ESCP to reflect such changes. Agreement on changes to the ESCP shall be documented through the exchange of letters signed between the Association and the Recipient. The Recipient shall 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, which may include environmental, health, and safety impacts; community health and safety risks due to increased risk of exposure to COVID-19 virus and poor management of medical waste and the possible use of military and/or security personnel; social risks relating to accessibility and inclusion, social conflict arising due to the limited availability of the vaccines; and risks of sexual abuse and exploitation and sexual harassment (SEA/H) among others. 2|Page ASSOCIATION MATERIAL MEASURES AND ACTIONS TIMEFRAME RESPONSIBLE ENTITY/AUTHORITY MONITORING AND REPORTING A REGULAR REPORTING: Prepare and submit to the Association regular monitoring Beginning from the Effective Date and MoH through its Project reports on the environmental, social, health and safety (ESHS) performance of quarterly throughout Project Coordination Unit (PCU), in the Project, including but not limited to the implementation of the ESCP, status implementation cooperation with MoFLT of preparation and implementation of E&S documents required under the ESCP, stakeholder engagement activities, functioning of the grievance mechanism(s). INCIDENTS AND ACCIDENTS: Promptly notify the Association of any incident or Promptly after taking notice of the MoFLT and MoH through its Project accident-related to the Project which has, or is likely to have, a significant incident or accident, not later than 48 Coordination Unit (PCU) adverse effect on the environment, the affected communities, the public or hours. workers. Provide sufficient detail regarding the incident or accident, indicating immediate measures taken to address it, and include information provided by Provide a detailed report not later than 7 any contractor and supervising entity, as appropriate. Subsequently, as per the days after that. Association’s request, prepare a detailed report with root cause analysis on the incident or accident and propose any measures to prevent its recurrence. Incident reporting will include any significant COVID-19 outbreak among workers at Project financed Health Care Facility, laboratory, or other related sites. Indicate measures taken or planned to be taken to address it and information provided by any contractor and supervising entity, as appropriate. ESS 1: ASSESSMENT AND MANAGEMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL RISKS AND IMPACTS 1.1 ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE: As part of the Additional Finance the The PCU in MoH has recruited MoH/PCU in cooperation with implementation arrangements of the parent Project, Kosovo Emergency Covid- environmental and OHS specialist under MoFLT 19 Project (173819) will remain unchanged. In addition, the PCU under the MoH the ongoing health project KHP should be strengthened through the hiring of a short term OHS (P147402). The Environmental specialist specialist/consultant and medical waste management specialist/consultant. of the KHP shall manage the E&OHS Under the Project, the PCU shall hire a part time medical waste expert to provide standards, and the risk mitigation input of the extension of the medical waste disposal facility in the medical measures for the Kosovo COVID-19 centers as well as part time OHS expert. The Project related social due diligence Project and the AF. The social risk shall be managed by the communication consultancy to be hired through the management will be contracted through Project either as a company or individual consultant. the communication budget. The existing PCU shall continue to maintain qualified staff and resources to support management of ESHS risks and impacts of the Project including already The PCU, with composition and hired environment and specialist. The Environmental specialist has been hired resources acceptable to the Association, under the ongoing Kosovo Health Project (“KHP�) (P147402) and the same shall be maintained throughout Project specialist shall be responsible for the E&OHS management of this Project. implementation. 3|Page ASSOCIATION 1.2 ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL ASSESSMENT/MANAGEMENT PLANS AND a. ESMF prepared for the parent MoH/PCU in cooperation with INSTRUMENTS/ CONTRACTORS project Kosovo Emergency Covid-19 MoFLT a. Update, disclose and adopt an Environmental and Social Management Project (173819) shall be updated for Framework (ESMF), and assess the environmental and social risks and impacts AF Kosovo Emergency Covid-19 of proposed AF Project activities in accordance with the ESSs and the ESMF, Project (P176661), disclosed, including to ensure that individuals or groups who, because of their particular consulted and adopted by the circumstances, may be disadvantaged or vulnerable, have access to the Effective Date. The updated ESMF development benefits resulting from the Project. The updated ESMF shall shall include a template for a vaccine include WHO’s Strategic Advisory Group of Experts-SAEGE and Adverse Events cold storage temperature monitoring Following Immunization (AEFI) on monitoring and management and AEFI plan. manual on surveillance which shall be integrated in the updated ESMF. The ESMF shall also include a template for a vaccine cold storage temperature b. Plans/instruments shall be prepared, monitoring plan disclosed, consulted and adopted b. Prepare, disclose, adopt, and implement all Environmental and Social before the carrying out of the Management Plans (ESMPs), Infection Prevention Control and Waste relevant Project activities, and Management Plans (IPC & WMPs) and/or other instruments required for the thereafter implemented throughout respective Project activities based on the assessment process, in accordance the carrying out of such activities. with the ESSs, the ESMF, relevant Good International Industry Practice (GIIP) including the WHO Country & Technical Guidance - Coronavirus disease c. The relevant ESHS measures shall be (COVID-19) and the WHO Guidelines on Safe Management of Wastes from incorporated into the procurement Health-Care Activities in a manner acceptable to the Association. documents before launching the c. Incorporate the relevant aspects of this ESCP, including, inter alia, any ESMPs, procurement process for the IPC & WMPs and/or other instruments, ESS2 requirements, and any other relevant Project activities and shall required ESHS measures, into the ESHS specifications of the procurement thereafter complied with throughout documents and contracts with contractors and supervising firms. Thereafter the carrying out of such activities. ensure that the contractors and supervising firms comply with the ESHS specifications of their respective contracts. d. The review shall be finalized not later Conduct E&S Review of the Emergency Response of Covid 19 Project (the parent than the Effective Date of the Project). Financing Agreement for the Given the delays in having an E&S Specialist in the PCU and the preparation, Additional Financing. Remedial disclosure, and implementation of the ESMF and SEP, the World Bank has actions identified in the review shall requested a review of the Environmental and Social management to date under be implemented and or complied the parent Project. with throughout Project The main purposes of this review are to: implementation. (i) review the policies, systems and procedures that have been established for the project to date, to determine whether they are appropriate to achieve project implementation that is consistent it WB Environmental and Social Framework (ESF) objectives and requirements and Kosovo national law; 4|Page ASSOCIATION MATERIAL MEASURES AND ACTIONS TIMEFRAME RESPONSIBLE ENTITY/AUTHORITY (ii) determine whether there are any gaps in prescribed measures or institutional arrangements which should be addressed in the preparation and finalization of the ESMF and/or other relevant E&S instruments; and (iii) determine whether there are have been any adverse environmental or social impacts resulting from project implementation and, if so, recommend appropriate remediation measures MATERIAL MEASURES AND ACTIONS TIMEFRAME RESPONSIBLE ENTITY/AUTHORITY 1.3 EXCLUSIONS: The following types of activities shall not be eligible for These exclusions shall be applied as part of MoH in cooperation with MoFLT financing under the Project: the assessment process conducted under • Activities that may have significant adverse social impacts and action 1.2.a. above. may give rise to significant social conflict • 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 affect lands or rights of minorities, • Activities that may involve resettlement or land acquisition (not limited to permanent) /use restriction or adverse impacts on cultural heritage • All the other excluded activities set out in the ESMF of the Project. 1.4 The Recipient shall commit to the provision of services and supplies to Throughout Project Implementation MoH in cooperation with MoFLT all people, regardless of their social status, based on the urgency of the need, in line with the latest data related to the prevalence of the cases, and the implementation of WHO guidance tools for COVID-19 risk communication and engagement. ESS 2: LABOR AND WORKING CONDITIONS 5|Page ASSOCIATION MATERIAL MEASURES AND ACTIONS TIMEFRAME RESPONSIBLE ENTITY/AUTHORITY 2.1 LABOR MANAGEMENT: The Project shall be carried out in accordance The LMP shall be updated for the AF as MoH in cooperation with MoFLT with the applicable requirements of ESS2, in a manner acceptable to the part of the ESMF, and the updated LMP Association and consistent with national law, including through, inter shall be finalized not later than the alia, implementing adequate occupational health and safety measures Effective Date of the Financing Agreement (including emergency preparedness and response measures), setting for the Additional Financing. out grievance arrangements for Project workers, and incorporating The LMP and all measures specified in this labor requirements into the ESHS specifications of the procurement action 2.1 shall be implemented documents and contracts with contractors and supervising firms. The throughout the Project implementation Recipient shall adopt and implement Labor Management Procedures period. (LMP) incorporating the relevant requirements of ESS2. ESS 3: RESOURCE EFFICIENCY AND POLLUTION PREVENTION AND MANAGEMENT Relevant aspects of this standard shall be considered, as needed, under action 1.2 above, including, inter alia, measures to manage health care wastes and other types of hazardous and non-hazardous wastes. The requirements for adequate mitigation of the risks, for civil works to expand capacities of the designated facility in University Clinical Center of Kosovo (UCCK), mobilizing and training health personnel to set up appropriate procedures on-site and for mobile teams engaged in the rollout of vaccination, as well as procurement of necessary equipment such as needle destroyers/incinerators to be available for each vaccination unit, autoclaves, shredders, and other disinfection devices to prepare waste for sanitary landfill after disinfection, shall be carried out in accordance with updated ESMF. Relevant measures on carrying out the purchase, storage, transportation and handling of vaccines (including cold chain management) in a safe manner and in accordance with the World Bank’s environmental health and safety guidelines and other relevant GIIP including relevant WHO guidelines and adequately manage and dispose of healthcare waste (including vaccines). ESS 4: COMMUNITY HEALTH AND SAFETY Relevant aspects of this standard shall be considered, as needed, under 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 Not relevant ESS 6: BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION AND SUSTAINABLE MANAGEMENT OF LIVING NATURAL RESOURCES Not relevant ESS 7: INDIGENOUS PEOPLES/SUB-SAHARAN AFRICAN HISTORICALLY UNDERSERVED TRADITIONAL LOCAL COMMUNITIES Not relevant. ESS 8: CULTURAL HERITAGE Not relevant. ESS 9: FINANCIAL INTERMEDIARIES Not relevant. ESS 10: STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT AND INFORMATION DISCLOSURE 6|Page ASSOCIATION MATERIAL MEASURES AND ACTIONS TIMEFRAME RESPONSIBLE ENTITY/AUTHORITY 10.1 STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT PLAN: Update, disclose, adopt, and The existing draft SEP of Kosovo Emergency MoH in cooperation with MoFLT implement a Stakeholder Engagement Plan (SEP) consistent with ESS10, Covid-19 Project (P173819) which has been and in a manner acceptable to the Association. updated for the Additional Financing, dated 28 April 2021, and disclosed on MoH website (https://msh.rks-gov.net/en/sep_- kosovo-emergency-covid-19-project- p173819/), shall be implemented, and updated as needed, throughout Project implementation. 10.2 GRIEVANCE MECHANISM: Accessible grievance arrangements shall be GRM shall be operational and functional MoH through PCU for overall project made publicly available to receive and facilitate resolution of concerns throughout Project implementation. and grievances in relation to the Project, consistent with ESS10, and in a manner acceptable to the Association. The grievance mechanism shall also receive, register, and address concerns arising from unintended health consequences after vaccination especially those resulting in serious adverse effects. CAPACITY SUPPORT (TRAINING) 7|Page ASSOCIATION MATERIAL MEASURES AND ACTIONS TIMEFRAME RESPONSIBLE ENTITY/AUTHORITY Training topics for personnel involved in Project implementation shall Throughout Project implementation. MoF through IFC department and MoH among others include: through PCU • Training topics as per the WHO Country & Technical Guidance - Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel- coronavirus-2019/technical-guidance including but not limited to: - 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 - Establishment of quarantine • Training topics as per the WHO Guidelines on Safe Management of Wastes from Health-Care Activities https://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/handle/10665/85349/9789 241548564_eng.pdf;jsessionid=EE45FF4B510A5297A7DFF6030 A3BED25?sequence=1 • AEFI and vaccine cold chain storage (and temperature monitoring) to the list of training subjects • Training on the prevention of GBV and SEA/SH and awareness of child protection protocols, on Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) and other communicable diseases, including for security personnel. • Familiarization with the WB’s ESF and EHS Guidelines. • Country Sanitary Regulations and Norms 8|Page