Cambodia: Cross-border Livestock Health and Value-chain Infrastructure Improvement Project

OBJECTIVE

The Project aims to strengthen animal and human health safety and promote cross-board livestock trading among countries in the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) including Cambodia, Lao PDR, Viet Nam, Thailand, and China.

DESCRIPTION

The Project will support, based on the One Health approach: (i) construction of a vaccine center and establishment of disease control zones to strengthen the prevention and monitoring systems of animal and zoonotic diseases; (ii) refurbishment of the national animal health research institute, provincial animal health laboratories and relevant facilities to upgrade diagnosis and control functions of the diseases; (iii) establishment of livestock value chain infrastructure with high standards of hygiene and sanitation; (iv) enhancement of policies and regulations for better health, safety, supply and trade in livestock and livestock products; and (v) operation and management of the Project.

The recent outbreak of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic and monkeypox underscores the need for a One Health approach that broadens disease surveillance beyond the human to cover the zoonotic sphere. The integration of the knowledge and technical know-how found in veterinary practice in human health is essential to prepare for future health crises. However, the practical implementation of the One Health approach remains challenging and very limited, and the proposed Project is a significant step forward especially in the countries in the GMS with rapidly expanding livestock trade.

ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL INFORMATION

The Project’s environmental and social (ES) risks and impacts will be assessed in accordance with the Asian Development Bank (ADB)’s Safeguard Policy Statement (SPS) as ADB is a lead co-financier. To ensure a harmonized approach to addressing the ES risks and impacts of the Project, and as permitted under AIIB’s Environmental and Social Policy (ESP), ADB’s SPS will apply to the Project in lieu of AIIB’s ESP. AIIB has reviewed ADB’s SPS and is satisfied that: (a) it is consistent with AIIB’s Articles of Agreement and materially consistent with the provisions of AIIB’s ESP, including the Environmental and Social Exclusion List and the relevant ES Standards; and (b) the monitoring procedures will be put in place for the Project. ADB has categorized the ES risks of the project as Category B for Environment, B for Involuntary Resettlement and B for Indigenous Peoples, as it is likely to have ES impacts that are site-specific, few if any of them are irreversible, and in most cases, mitigation measures can be designed and implemented. This is equivalent to Category B if AIIB’s ESP were applicable.

The main and more complex adverse impacts of the Project will come from operation phase versus construction phase. Activities at the project site during construction stage may generate solid waste, wastewater, noise, air emission and soil erosion, and disturbance to nearby residents and potentially pollute water bodies, disturbing local ecology, and local physical cultural resources. The potential risks include (i) wastewater and the adequate treatment and slurry discharge/use; (ii) solid and hazardous wastes, their management and disposal; (iii) odor and air emissions; and (iv) health and safety including biosafety risks. These impacts have been assessed and corresponding mitigation plans include operation and maintenance of properly designed waste treatment facilities, monitoring of wastewater discharges, and implementation of generally accepted procedures for handling and disposal of solid and hazardous wastes. These were incorporated in the Environmental Management and Monitoring Plan.

A Resettlement Framework (RF) was prepared to outline potential adverse impacts relating to permanent and temporary, physical, and economic displacement of both titleholders and non-titleholders and to propose mitigation measures. RF has been disclosed and it outlines the resettlement policy principles, procedures, and institutional arrangements to mitigate risks and offer sustainable livelihood and development opportunities to the people affected by the Project. ADB has categorized this project as effective gender mainstreaming. The gender analysis carried out as part of project preparation has identified and assessed (i) strengths and weaknesses with regard to gender and social inclusion issues in the Cambodian livestock subsector; (ii) gender context in livestock value chain; and (iii) gender dynamics in the livestock value chain. A gender equality and social inclusion action plan inclusive of a monitoring plan has been prepared to manage the challenges identified during the gender analysis and disclosed here.

Prepared ES documents have been disclosed on ADB’s website, AIIB’s website and the Government’s website. Moreover, semi-annual ES monitoring reports will be provided by the client to AIIB for review, and the Bank retains rights to conduct field supervision in the course of the Project implementation along with ADB.

A project-specific Grievance Readiness Mechanism (GRM) will be established to receive, acknowledge, evaluate and facilitate the resolution of the complaints relating to ES issues with corrective actions proposed. This will be undertaken using understandable and transparent processes that are gender-responsive, culturally appropriate and readily accessible to all segments of the affected people. In addition, the GRM will be established in each target province and each project site. Records of grievances received, corrective actions taken, and their outcomes shall be properly maintained. The information on project-specific GRM and ADB’s independent accountability mechanism (IAM) will be disclosed to local stakeholders and the project-affected people in an appropriate and timely manner.