INTEGRATED SAFEGUARDS DATA SHEET
CONCEPT STAGE
Report No.: AC5310
Date ISDS Prepared/Updated: 10/12/2010
I. BASIC INFORMATION
A. Basic Project Data
Country: Vietnam
Project ID: P118783
Project Name: Vietnam - Managing Natural Hazards Project
Task Team Leader: Cuong Hung Pham
Estimated Appraisal Date: October 20,
Estimated Board Date: March 12, 2012
2011
Managing Unit: EASVS
Lending Instrument: Specific Investment
Loan
Sector: Flood protection (50%);Sub-national government administration (25%);Public
administration- Water, sanitation and flood protection (25%)
Theme: Natural disaster management (70%);Municipal governance and institution
building (15%);Climate change (15%)
IBRD Amount (US$m.):
0.00
IDA Amount (US$m.):
150.00
GEF Amount (US$m.):
0.00
PCF Amount (US$m.):
0.00
Other financing amounts by source:
BORROWER/RECIPIENT
0.00
0.00
B. Project Objectives [from section 2 of PCN]
The overarching objective of the proposed project is to strengthen national, provincial, and local
capacities for natural disaster prevention, preparedness, and mitigation. This objective would be
achieved through the following;
#
Strengthening the capacities of national, provincial and local disaster risk management
entities to better plan and mitigate against hazard risks, thereby reducing losses of life, damage to
property, and interruptions of economic activities.
#
Improving weather forecasting and early warning systems to more effectively collect,
process, and disseminate information to enable various stakeholders to undertake more timely
and effective actions to mitigate against disaster risks and respond to weather events more
generally; and
#
Putting in place effective structural measures to reduce typhoon and storm risks in high
priority areas. This would be achieved through medium to large scale infrastructure investments
carried out by ministries and provinces, and small scale interventions identified and carried out
by vulnerable communities.
C. Project Description [from section 3 of PCN]
Proposed project components, with an estimated total cost of US$150 million, are as follows:
Component 1: Institutional Strengthening (US$7 million). This component would strengthen
institutional capacities for DRM planning at national and provincial levels. It would help prepare
a national DRM database to track the progress of actions taken, strengthen the capacity of the
newly formed National DMC, improve/extend provincial level integrated disaster risk
management planning, support provincial disaster mapping and zoning, support dam safety
database management, support further work on disaster-resilient building code design (based on
different geographical regions); and strengthen disaster management communications.
Component 2: Strengthening Weather Forecasting and Early Warning Systems (US$30
million). This component would improve national, regional and provincial capacities for weather
and disaster forecasting and early warning systems through the provision of modern hydrometeorological observation equipment and communication facilities, development of improved
databases, strengthening of systems for the dissemination of forecasts and early warnings to
different stakeholders, and the strengthening of human resources in pertinent agencies.
Improvements in these systems would be leveraged to also include improved weather forecasting
services/products for agricultural, tourism, construction and other industry purposes. Further
applications of historical and up to date weather data for insurance purposes would possibly be
supported.
Component 3: Community-Based Disaster Risk Management (US$20 million). This component
would support a significant scaling up of the Government#s CBDRM program, initiated under
the NRDMP-I. Provincial level DRM centers would be established (or strengthened where
already exist) and would provide support for district- and commune-level DRM activities,
including planning and mitigation strategy development. Support would be provided for DRM
training at community levels as well as for small-scale priority investments, especially for flood
and drought mitigation. It is expected that some 10 provinces and about 100 communes would be
supported under this component. Co-financing would be sought.
Component 4: Support for Priority Disaster Risk Mitigation Investments (US$90 million). This
component would support the Government in implementing significant structural measures
proposed in the Implementation plan of the National Strategy for natural Disaster Prevention,
Response, and Mitigation to 2020. A river basin approach shall be used to identify and prioritize
investment subprojects within the selected basins in the Central Region. The structural measures
will mitigate risks posed by floods, landslides, and major storms. Due to especially challenging
safeguards considerations, no construction of new reservoirs would be eligible for financing
under this component. However, the rehabilitation of selected dams to improve their safety
would be eligible.
Component 5: Project management (US$3 million). This component would provide support for
project management activities including preparation, implementation and monitoring of social
and environmental safeguard policies, fiduciary and financial management, etc. It also will
support the development of an M&E system for the project.
D. Project location (if known)
The project area will likely be the provinces in the Central Region of Vietnam. Particular focus
will be given to the four major river basins, Vietnam#s most disaster-prone area. These four
basins are Ca, Vu Gia-Thu Bon, Tra Khuc-Tra Bong, and Kone, spanning the six (6) provinces
of Nghe An, Ha Tinh, Danang, Quang Nam, Quang Ngai and Binh Dinh. An additional four
provinces, namely Thanh Hoa, Quang Binh, Quang Tri and Binh Thuan, have also been
proposed by MARD to be covered by the project. This issue of additional provinces would be
subject to further discussion with the Bank task team. However, the inclusion of new provinces
does not affect the requirements regarding the compliance of safeguards policies.
E. Borrower’s Institutional Capacity for Safeguard Policies [from PCN]
The Borrower possesses some capacity for assessing the project#s environmental and social
impacts, and proposing mitigation programs to address potential negative impacts and risks.
Such capacity will be further strengthened through capacity building efforts that will be
implemented during project the preparation and implementation.
F. Environmental and Social Safeguards Specialists
Ms Ly Thi Dieu Vu (EASVS)
Mr Tuan Anh Le (EASVS)
II. SAFEGUARD POLICIES THAT MIGHT APPLY
Safeguard Policies Triggered
Yes
No
TBD
Environmental Assessment (OP/BP 4.01)
X
The project area is located in the central coastal region of Vietnam, which is frequently
subject to natural disasters such as flood and storms, landslides, erosion etc. These hazards cause
losses to human lives and assets. The four rivers systems are mostly short but with high bed
slopes. The proposed project applies an integrated river basin approach to mitigate the impacts
of natural hazards in these vulnerable areas, and therefore it is expected that the project will
bring about net positive environmental impacts.
At the project level, an Environmental Management Framework (EMF) will be prepared.
The contents of the EMF will include: (i) descriptions of baseline conditions by project river
basins or geographical regions as appropriate to provide the basis for identifying the
environmental restrictions to be applied to each type of project investment, for the assessment of
the natural hazard risks in project area, and for predicting the project#s potential environmental
impacts; (ii) identification of policies and any other macro issues which contribute to the
underlying issues of natural hazard risks in the project areas using a river basin approach; (iii)
standard mitigation measures for the identified impacts; (iv) a framework for EA preparation
requirements, review and clearance of future Components 4 sub-projects; and (v) Standard
Codes of Practice (COP) for all stages of sub-project preparation and implementation including
site selection, design, construction and operation.
At the sub-project level under component 4, where structural measures are proposed for
Safeguard Policies Triggered
Yes
No
TBD
mitigating the risks posed by floods, landslides and major storms, some negative environmental
impacts would be predicted for the construction phase. These are: (a) increased dust and noise
level during construction phase, (b) reduced water and soil quality due to waste and waste water
from construction sites, and workers# camps, (c) disturbance of local traffic and daily life
activities of local communities, (d) increased safety risks for local communities at construction
sites and materials transportation routes; and (e) impacts on existing infrastructure such as
irrigation channels, power lines, telephone lines etc. As the project area experienced extensive
bombing during the war a few decades ago, there are potential risks related to unexploded
landmines (UXO) during excavation works. Environmental Assessments (EA) to cover both
construction and operation phases will be carried out to predict sub-project potential impacts and
risks. Corresponding environmental management plans, which include engineering design
solutions and plans for implementation of mine clearance by authorized workers before the site is
handed over to construction contractor. Construction practices to mitigate potential negative
impacts shall be prepared for component 4 sub-projects. In addition, de-mining certificates will
be obtained prior to commissioning excavation works in sites with a potential UXO presence.
For Component 3, where small-scale investments would be provided for about 100
communes of some ten provinces for commune-level disaster mitigation measures, the potential
environmental impacts would be localized, at small scale, temporary, and can be minimized by
standard mitigation measures incorporated into sub-project design or practiced during the
construction phase. The mitigation measures will be documented in the Project#s EMF.
The project EMF, subproject EAs and EMPs prepared for first year investments will be
ready and disclosed for public access before project appraisal.
Natural Habitats (OP/BP 4.04)
X
Screening to identify the existence of natural habitats and any critical natural habitats in the
proposed project areas will be included as part of the EMF. If there are any natural habitats
potentially affected by the proposed project, OP 4.04 will be triggered. Alternative analysis will
be considered to avoid potential impacts on natural habitat and if necessary, appropriate
mitigation measures and an implementation plan will be developed.
Forests (OP/BP 4.36)
X
If there are any forests potentially affected by the proposed project, OP 4.36 will be
triggered. Alternative analysis will be considered to avoid potential impacts on forests and if
necessary, appropriate mitigation measures and an implementation plan will be developed.
Pest Management (OP 4.09)
X
There will neither any procurement of pesticides or fertilizers, nor will there be any irrigation
works within the project which would lead to the increased use of pesticides and fertilizers.
Physical Cultural Resources (OP/BP 4.11)
X
Screening and assessments of the project#s potential impacts on physical cultural heritage,
such as pagodas, temples, churches, graveyards, sacred trees, monuments, historical sites, and
archaeological objects etc, will be included as part of the project EMF. OP 4.11 will be triggered
if the sub-project EA identifies that the sub-project would affect any areas or sites of physical
cultural heritage, and appropriate mitigation measures and implementation arrangements would
be developed. Chance find procedures will also be included in the Project EMF and sub-project
EMPs.
Safeguard Policies Triggered
Yes
No
TBD
Indigenous Peoples (OP/BP 4.10)
X
Because various ethnic minority groups are present in the project areas, a social assessment
consistent with the Bank OP 4.10 will be done during the preparation stage to evaluate project#s
potential positive and adverse effects on ethnic minority communities. The scope and level of
details of the social assessment (SA), taking into account the nature of project, review of ethnic
minority issues in the project area, and scale of the proposed project#s potential effects on ethnic
minority groups, will be determined after more information become available from the Client
regarding the proposed subprojects, detailed project activities and project locations. A consultant
will be recruited (with the support from the Bank) to help Client with the SA exercise. The SA
report will be disclosed prior to appraisal.
An Indigenous Peoples Planning Framework (IPPF) will be prepared by the Borrower in
compliance with OP 4.10 and in consultation with ethnic minority communities in the selected
project areas. Indigenous Peoples Plans (IPP) will also be developed for subprojects (where
determined necessary) to set forth measures for ensuring that ethnic minority people receive
social and economic benefits that are culturally appropriate to them, and that an action plan is in
place to avoid, minimize, mitigate, or compensate for adverse effects, if any. For all the
subprojects that are carried out in the first year and that affect ethnic minority people, IPP will be
prepared prior to appraisal. The IPPF will be used to guide the preparation of IPPs and will be
disclosed before appraisal. It will also explain why no specific IPP can be prepared.
Involuntary Resettlement (OP/BP 4.12)
X
The project may involve acquisition of land and involuntary resettlement due to proposed
construction of medium to large scale infrastructure (as subprojects) within four major river
basins in the Central Vietnam. Construction of these subprojects will be screened during
preparation stage of the project. In cases where the zone of impact of subprojects cannot be
determined, or the zone of impact is known but the precise location of construction works cannot
be determined during the preparation stage, a resettlement policy framework (RPF), consistent
with OP 4.12, will be prepared prior to appraisal of the project. For subprojects that are to be
carried out in the first year of the project implementation, if land acquisition is required to allow
construction of these subprojects, resettlement action plans (RAPs), conforming to OP 4.12, will
be prepared as a condition to project appraisal.
It is noted that RPF will specify steps to be taken for preparation, review, and clearance of
RAPs for subsequent sub-projects for which the impacts only become known during project
implementation. In addition, if there is a need for infrastructure projects that are to be in rural
areas and this involves restriction of access to protected area or designated park, resulting in
adverse impact of livelihoods of displaced persons, a draft process framework, conforming to
relevant provisions of this policy, will be required as a condition of appraisal. The need for
preparation of process framework will be determined following first field visits during project
preparation.
A review of PMU#s experience with Bank projects will be included in project document to
assess the need for capacity building. Projects considered linked to the project would be further
clarified following upcoming preparation missions. If appropriate, qualifying linked project will
be described in the PAD, including due diligence report confirming that these projects are
Safeguard Policies Triggered
Yes
No
TBD
currently in compliance with domestic laws and regulations, as well as the nature of the
applicability of OP 4.12.
Safety of Dams (OP/BP 4.37)
X
The proposed project may finance the rehabilitation of some existing dams to improve their
safety. Where dam rehabilitation is proposed, the borrower will arrange for dam specialists to
(a) inspect and evaluate the safety status of the existing dam, its appurtenances, and its
performance history; (b) review and evaluate the owner's operation and maintenance procedures;
and (c) provide a written report of findings and recommendations for remedial work or safetyrelated measures necessary to upgrade the existing dam to an acceptable standard of safety. A
Dam Safety Framework will be developed for the Project. The Bank may accept previous
assessments of dam safety or recommendations of improvements needed in the existing dam if
the borrower provides evidence that (a) an effective dam safety program is already in operation,
and (b) full-level inspections and dam safety assessments of the existing dam, which are
satisfactory to the Bank, have already been conducted and documented.
Projects on International Waterways (OP/BP 7.50)
X
Among the four river basins proposed, three have catchments located entirely within
Vietnam. Parts of the Ca river upstream run within Lao PDR before entering Vietnam. Of the Ca
river#s 513km length and 27.200 km² catchment area, 361 km of its length and 17.730 km² of the
river catchment (downstream) is in Vietnam. Whether or not OP 7.50 is triggered will be
determined by project appraisal.
Projects in Disputed Areas (OP/BP 7.60)
X
None of the project provinces are located within disputed areas.
Environmental Category: B - Partial Assessment
III. SAFEGUARD PREPARATION PLAN
A. Target date for the Quality Enhancement Review (QER), at which time the PAD-stage ISDS
would be prepared: 08/08/2011
B. For simple projects that will not require a QER, the target date for preparing the PAD-stage
ISDS: N/A
C. 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.
Finalization of TOR for EMF: 30 July 2010
Mobilization of Environmental consultant: November 2010
Draft EMF and EAs of Component 4 first year investments, if required: August 2011
Final EMF and sub-project EAs (if required): appraisal
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.
IV. APPROVALS
Signed and submitted by:
Task Team Leader:
Mr Cuong Hung Pham
Approved by:
Regional Safeguards Coordinator:
Mr John R. Butler
Comments: Acting Regional Safeguards Adviser
Sector Manager:
Mr Paul Vallely
Comments:
09/01/2010
10/12/2010
09/08/2010