INTEGRATED SAFEGUARDS DATA SHEET CONCEPT STAGE Public Disclosure Copy Report No.: ISDSC6825 Date ISDS Prepared/Updated: 09-Dec-2013 Date ISDS Approved/Disclosed: 12-Feb-2014 I. BASIC INFORMATION A. Basic Project Data Country: Africa Project ID: P148659 Project Name: Sahel Disaster Resilience Project (P148659) Task Team Doekle Geert Wielinga Leader: Estimated 03-Mar-2014 Estimated 01-Jul-2014 Appraisal Date: Board Date: Managing Unit: AFTN2 Lending Investment Project Financing Instrument: Sector(s): Flood protection (40%), Public administration- Water, sanitation and flood protection (20%), General information and communications sector (15%), Irrigation and drainage (25%) Theme(s): Natural disaster management (75%), Water resource management (25%) Financing (In USD Million) Total Project Cost: 100.00 Total Bank Financing: 100.00 Public Disclosure Copy Financing Gap: 0.00 Financing Source Amount BORROWER/RECIPIENT 0.00 International Development Association (IDA) 100.00 Total 100.00 Environmental B - Partial Assessment Category: Is this a No Repeater project? B. Project Objectives Proposed PDO is to increase the resilience to extreme weather events and climate variability and change in the Sahel region through national and regional institutions responsible for water resources management, disaster risk management and meteorology. C. Project Description The proposed project supports the Sahelian countries to achieve resilience by better understanding and managing climate, weather and water related shocks, and facilitating resilient growth in the key water related sectors. The project combines, regionally anchored capacity building and knowledge Public Disclosure Copy management activities with specific in-country investments in the national hydro-meteorological services to build and manage knowledge systems and services. Project Components: The proposed project aims to build upon existing structures at the national and regional levels such as the food security early warning systems and, where necessary, support formulation of complementary structures and services. The project will have two inter-related components: (1) Assessment of surface and ground water resources and for hydrological, meteorological and climate services and regional capacity building; and (2) Modernizing national disaster risk management, water resources, and weather and climate services. Component 1- Assessment of Surface and Ground Water Resources and Hydrological, Meteorological and Climate Services and regional capacity building (US$25 million): This component would support regional agencies’ to assess water resources and develop of capacities for observing, monitoring and forecasting meteorological, hydrological and climate-related hazards, with a cascading process from the global to the regional, sub-regional, national and local scales. The activities will be coordinated by CILSS (AGRHYMET), with contributions from other technical partners including ECOWAS, SSO, NBA and ACMAD. In addition, the US National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) would provide technical expertise in the form of training in remote sensing techniques, development of hydrologic models, and other core elements of hydrology. Sub-Component 1.1- Assessment of Surface Water Resources (US$5 million): The project would support both in-situ monitoring with traditional hydrological approaches and earth observation remote sensing techniques, with technology transfer to Sahelian countries. Specialized experts will lead a series of capacity building events aimed at helping staff from relevant line ministries, national Public Disclosure Copy survey authorities and other relevant organizations to improve their knowledge and ability to plan and act effectively. The technical partners will further provide backup support and mentoring as necessary. The component may include study grants for a number of technical specialists from the involved countries as well as purchasing essential equipment such as servers and state of the art analytical software. Sub-Component 1.2- Assessment of Ground Water Resources (US$13 million): This will include developing options to manage region’s groundwater resources and identify sustainable use of ground water resources to respond to the growing demand. The assessment would cover the Sahel region and be exploratory in nature. For a number of priority aquifers in depth studies will be facilitated to provide specific investment related knowledge and ground water management capacity. The sub- component would also build technical capacity in the regional and national water resources institutions. Sub-Component 1.3- Strengthening Meteorological, Hydrological and Climate Services (US$7 million): This sub-component would strengthen ability of the regional organizations to assist Sahelian countries in providing specialized hydro-meteorological services. The regional organizations would be supported to: (a) better fulfill their technical mandate towards Member States and enhance delivery of services; (b) extend their services and build capacities for severe weather forecasting and flash-flood guidance; (c) enhance technical centers’ databases for better data sharing and management of hydro-meteorological data; and (d) support member countries with feasibility studies and detailed assessments of technical needs of national DRM and hydro-meteorological services. The component would also build capacity and provide support to ACMAD to make it a Public Disclosure Copy fully operational regional climate center. Component 2- Modernizing National DRM, Water Resources, Weather and Climate Services ( US75 million): Investments and capacity building will be country specific for Burkina Faso and Mali, while being coordinated with the regional level activities. The investments will help strengthen hydrological services, meteorological services and DRM. These activities will be complemented with a national level contingent emergency response component and a national project management component, which would cover implementation costs. This component has two sub-components: (i) Support to Burkina Faso and (ii) Support to Mali. Sub-Component 2.1- Support to Burkina Faso (US$37.5 million): This sub-component would address capacity building and investment needs of the Directorate General for Water Resources (DGRE). The proposed investments would include (a) institutional strengthening and capacity building of DGRE, (b) upgrading the hydrological monitoring network and data management, and (c) improving service delivery for flood forecasting, surface and groundwater resources management. Support will be provided for capacity building of staff in water monitoring techniques, investments and upgrading of monitoring equipment to ensure more reliable, automated data transmission; installation and operation of a ground water monitoring and laboratory equipment (water quality monitoring focusing on arsenic and pesticides) and improvement of hydrological data management. Selected refurbishment of main facilities, provision of equipment and instruments for calibration and field work including specialized vehicles is also planned in this subcomponent. This sub-component will provide support in strengthening National Hydrological Information Systems and Services including the Directorate General for Meteorology (DGM) to conduct critical investments in their equipment and monitoring network, improve information technology and communication services and strengthen service delivery. Infrastructure investments will include Public Disclosure Copy upgrading of the land-based and remote observations network including automatic weather stations. It will also include modernization of communication and information system and introduction of new software and technologies. The extension of the observation network will go hand in hand with improving the quality of weather forecasts and other products staff capacity. Selected refurbishment of main facilities, provision of equipment and instruments for calibration and field work including specialized vehicles is also planned under this sub-component. In addition, sub-component will support CONASUR as a project coordination mechanism and DGPC as primary civil protection agency, in establishing operational flood forecasting systems, communication and contingency planning. DGPC’s training facilities, including a regional higher education institute for emergency practitioners, would be modernized. Priority investments in early warning systems will include the establishment of flood forecasting for priority areas of the Volta basin and flash flood forecasting for selected urban areas. National Level Contingent Risk Financing for Burkina Faso: This sub-component will allow expenditures to be made in accordance with the rapid response procedures of OP/BP 8.00 subject to the list of positive goods and services defined at project outset. Disbursements would be made against procurement of goods, works, and consultant services required in supporting the immediate response and recovery needs of the country. Resources would be reallocated from committed amounts that are not yet disbursed. The World Bank, together with the responsible national ministry, would agree on applicable criteria, such as the declaration of the state of emergency. Project Management in Burkina Faso: This activity supports all project coordination activities related to Burkina Faso and including Project Management Unit (PMU) staff costs, vehicles and office space Public Disclosure Copy to ensure successful project implementation. It is envisioned that the PMU would be located in an existing ministry/agency with regional coordination responsibilities such as CONASUR. Sub-Component 2.2- Support to Republic of Mali (US$37.5 million): For Mali the following specific activities will be implemented in the same sub-set of activities. This sub-component will provide support in strengthening National Hydrological Information Systems and Services including capacity building and investment needs of the National Directorate for Hydrology (DNH). The proposed investments would include (a) upgrading the hydrological monitoring network and data management to reach the original level of operational surface and ground water stations, (b) institutional strengthening and capacity building of DNH, facilitating updated data management and monitoring techniques such as the use of Acoustic Doppler Current Profilers (ADCP) for discharge measurements, and (c) improving service delivery for flood forecasting and water resources management. For the last activity DNH will collaborate with Meteo- Mali and DGPC at the national level as well as with the Niger Basin Authority at regional level for an operational flood forecasting system. Selected refurbishment of main facilities, provision of equipment and instruments for calibration and field work including specialized vehicles are also planned in this sub-component. This sub-component will also provide support in modernizing Weather and Climate Information Systems and Services including support to the Direction Nationale de la Météorologie (Météo-Mali) to become a fully operational national meteorological agency, following its transition into an autonomous agency one year ago. The modernization plan is built around capacity building, modernization of monitoring infrastructure and service delivery. Training of forecasters and investments in equipment and infrastructure will ensure that an operational forecasting unit will be established, which would work full-time with clearly defined standard operating procedures for communication and warnings. Capacity building for improved service delivery will target climate Public Disclosure Copy sensitive sectors such as agriculture, and will strengthen existing forecasting programs, particularly those related to agro-meteorology. Equipment and infrastructure investments will include the installation of several new synoptic stations, and improving the decentralized structures in regions and districts to improve service delivery and data management. Selected refurbishment of main facilities, provision of equipment and instruments for calibration and field work including specialized vehicles is also planned in this sub-component. This sub-component also strengthens Disaster Risk Management and would support the Directorate General for Civil Protection (DGPC) in three areas: (a) strengthening the political dialogue and advocacy for an effective policy and operational disaster risk management strategy; (b) supporting operations as well as capacity of staff to effectively implement emergency response capability including investments in DGPCs decentralized structure; and (c) establishing operational early warning systems for river floods in collaboration with DNH and NBA, flash flood forecasting for urban centers such as Bamako and risk and vulnerability mapping in urban areas and priority watersheds. National Level Contingent Risk Financing for Mali. This sub-component will allow expenditures to be made in accordance with the rapid response procedures of OP/BP 8.00 subject to the list of positive goods and services defined at project outset. Disbursements would be made against the procurement of goods, works, and consultant services required supporting the immediate response and recovery needs of the states. Financial resources would be re-allocated from existing projects that are not yet disbursed. The World Bank, together with the responsible national ministries, would agree on applicable criteria, such as the standards governing declarations of national emergency Public Disclosure Copy following floods or droughts. Project Management in Mali: This activity supports all project management activities related to Mali including the PMU staff costs, vehicles and office space to ensure successful implementation. It is envisioned that the PMU would be located at the DGPC. D. Project location and salient physical characteristics relevant to the safeguard analysis (if known) The project consists of national and regional level components. The regional level components will be implemented at the headquarters of ACMAD and CILSS / AGRHYMET both located in Niamey, Niger. The national level components will be implemented in Mali and Burkina Faso, which are at PCN stage identified for investments in the national disaster risk management and hydro- meteorological services in the first phase of the project. Other countries may follow in the second and third phase of the project. The regional level components would mainly entail technical assistance and capacity building targeted to the regional technical centers and government officials from member states. It would, for example, include developing regional coherent guidance and early warning systems for floods and flash floods. The regional technical centers may be further supported with investments in adequate IT, communication, power supply infrastructure, the rehabilitation of existing buildings and laboratory facilities as well as project management infrastructure. Regarding the national level components in Mali and Burkina Faso; the number and exact location of automatic weather stations, agro-meteorological stations, upper air stations, weather radars and other will be determined during project preparation. Automatic and manual water level recorders will be installed at several locations along the main rivers (Volta, Senegal, Niger) and possibly a number of Public Disclosure Copy piezometric stations for ground water monitoring. The impact related to the installation of these stations will be kept as limited as possible; in most cases they will be installed on government land and require only limited space (surface area). Where needed, access roads (unpaved) or paths may need to be prepared to ensure that maintenance of the stations can be conducted. The project will furthermore invest in upgrading buildings, laboratory equipment, providing facilities for downloading and processing of satellite information, as well as IT and communication infrastructure. This may include the provision of power-back-up to ensure a 24/7 operation as well as the installation of offices at decentralized level. In line with the Category B classification, safeguards instruments such as a Simplified Environmental Management Framework and Environmental Management Plan (EMF-EMP), and a Resettlement Policy Framework (RPF) will be prepared for Mali and Burkina Faso since the exact locations for the installation are not known yet. They will outline the basic procedures for identifying and mitigating any potential negative impacts (such as managing installation materials, and any acquisition of new land and potential subsequent losses). E. Borrowers Institutional Capacity for Safeguard Policies The project implementing entities (CILSS and ACMAD at regional level, CONASUR and DGPC at national level) have rather low technical expertise on environmental and social issues and therefore capacity building and guidance will be provided to ensure that the relevant safeguard instruments can be prepared and implemented according to standards acceptable to the World Bank. F. Environmental and Social Safeguards Specialists on the Team Public Disclosure Copy Ronald N. Hoffer (AFTN1) Paivi Koskinen-Lewis (AFTCS) II. SAFEGUARD POLICIES THAT MIGHT APPLY Safeguard Policies Triggered? Explanation (Optional) Environmental Assessment OP/ Yes The project will finance the rehabilitation and BP 4.01 installation of hydro-meteorological equipment at a number of sites in Burkina Faso and Mali, and some refurbishment of offices and laboratories. Those sites will be determined to the best extent possible during project preparation, but many will not be confirmed until implementation. In general the impacts are small in scale, affecting e.g. a few m2 for the installation of an automatic weather station. To support these stations, access roads may need to be installed or upgraded, and very localized stabilization of stream beds or non-consumptive off-takes for stream flow may be required which do not affect long term ecological viability or riparian uses. Surface and ground water resources assessments in Component 1 do not pose any significant, direct additional risk. Given these relatively low environmental risks, Public Disclosure Copy a Simplified Environmental Framework and Environmental Management Plan will be prepared and disclosed in draft before appraisal. Natural Habitats OP/BP 4.04 TBD The project will finance the rehabilitation and installation of hydro-meteorological equipment at a number of sites in Burkina Faso and Mali; some of which may be in riverine environments of some ecological importance. This potential will be further evaluated during project preparation, and as needed, provisions in the EMF-EMP will be included to ensure that works within these areas can be carried with minimal if any impact. Significant loss or degradation of critical natural habitats is not expected to be needed for such minor works. Forests OP/BP 4.36 No It is not expected that the project would affect or intervene in forested areas or have impact on the forest management practices in Mali and Burkina Faso. Pest Management OP 4.09 No Although the project aims to support the agricultural sector with the provision of quality agro-meteorological services and information, it Public Disclosure Copy does not finance direct investments in the agricultural sector that relate to the application of pesticides. Physical Cultural Resources OP/ No The project will finance the rehabilitation and BP 4.11 installation of hydro-meteorological equipment at a number of sites in Burkina Faso and Mali. Those sites will be determined during project preparation, but it is very unlikely that those sites would be located in or related to areas of particular physical cultural value. Nevertheless, provisions will be included in the EMF-EMP for handling “chance finds” of physical cultural resources encountered unexpectedly during site works. Indigenous Peoples OP/BP 4.10 No It is unlikely that the project would impact specific groups of the population in general or indigenous people specifically, beyond those potential impacts covered under OP/BP 4.12. Involuntary Resettlement OP/BP Yes The policy is triggered because the project will 4.12 finance the rehabilitation and installation of hydro-meteorological equipment at a number of sites in Burkina Faso and Mali, which may require some minor land acquisition and/or cause losses of assets or restrictions of access to Public Disclosure Copy resources. The exact sites for the infrastructure installations are not known at this stage and therefore a Resettlement Policy Framework (RPF) will be prepared based upon the recently approved RPFs in DRM projects in Burkina and Mali, consulted upon and publicly disclosed in- country and at the InfoShop prior to appraisal for both Mali and Burkina Faso. In general, the adverse impacts are expected to be small scale. Safety of Dams OP/BP 4.37 No The project does not foresee the planning, rehabilitation or construction of dam infrastructure. Stream bed stabilization, if required, is minor and very localized. Projects on International Yes While the surface and ground water resources Waterways OP/BP 7.50 assessment work included in Component 1 are studies and not directly linked to future investments that involve the use or pollution of international waterways, indirect links cannot be avoided and hence, OP/BP 7.50is triggered. Project activities are comparable to the water resources and feasibility studies envisaged in the Exceptions to Notification Requirements of Public Disclosure Copy OP 7.50(1) and such an exception will be sought. Further investments in Component 2 are limited; small scale site preparation and installation, and equipment operation would not affect water use (abstraction or flow) affecting riparians. Projects in Disputed Areas OP/BP No Not / applicable 7.60 III. SAFEGUARD PREPARATION PLAN A. Tentative target date for preparing the PAD Stage ISDS: 18-Feb-2014 B. Time frame for launching and completing the safeguard-related studies that may be needed. The specific studies and their timing1 should be specified in the PAD-stage ISDS: February 18, 2014 IV. APPROVALS Task Team Leader: Name: Doekle Geert Wielinga Approved By: Regional Safeguards Name: Johanna van Tilburg (RSA) Date: 11-Feb-2014 Coordinator: Sector Manager: Name: Benoit Bosquet (SM) Date: 12-Feb-2014 Public Disclosure Copy 1 Reminder: The Bank's Disclosure Policy requires that safeguard-related documents be disclosed before appraisal (i) at the InfoShop and (ii) in country, at publicly accessible locations and in a form and language that are accessible to potentially affected persons.