Maldives: Enhancing Climate Resilience and Food Security Project

Abstract

This Resettlement Framework (RF) has been prepared for use in the implementation of the subproject components under the Enhancing Climate Resilience and Food Security Project in Maldives (the Project). In the process of supporting the social safeguard due diligence activities, this RF, a standalone document, has been prepared to guide resettlement planning activities of the Project. This is a primary document for the project which outlines the policy and procedures to be adopted for land acquisition and involuntary resettlement, if any, compensation, and other resettlement assistance measures. In this process of supporting due diligence, ensuring compliance with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) Safeguards Policy Statement (SPS) 2009 for involuntary resettlement, adhering to Maldives’ land and other safeguard rules and regulations, the Project will prepare social safeguard documents, including Resettlement Plan (RP) and Due Diligence Report (DDR) as determined by this RF. The objective of the Project is to strengthen the climate resilience of inhabited islands and agri-food systems. Key features of the Project include enhancing the weather monitoring capacity to support informed climate decisions and safeguarding urban infrastructure, agricultural productivity and food security. The Project interventions are both physical (engineering measures and nature-based solutions) and institutional (broader climate change adaptation measures to address gaps in the institutional environment and build capacity within government and local communities). The project is classified as category B. The physical works part of the Project will comprise the construction of several infrastructure schemes across Addu City, Haa Dhaalu atoll, and Malé. Initial investigation during the project preparation phase suggests that physical implementation of the subprojects will not involve any significant impacts due to land acquisition and resettlement (LAR). The investigations suggest that physical implementation of the subprojects is free of permanent LAR impacts such as land acquisition, physical displacement, economic displacement, impact on livelihood, community properties or any other impacts based feasibility studies, review of land registries, consultations and field visits to the proposed locations. Possible minor temporary impacts may arise during construction and will be mitigated through the Environmental Management Plan (EMP). When detailed designs of the civil works are available, including exact locations, the draft DDR’s will be updated, if any impacts, an RP will be prepared, following the guidelines underlined in this RF. All the affected households (AHs) identified in the project impacted areas at time of the cut-off date will be entitled to compensation and/or assistance for their affected assets. Those who encroach into the project area and build any new structure after the cut-off date will not be entitled to compensation or any other assistance. Entitlements are related to resettlement principles, policies on compensation and other criteria. Entitlements are described in the Entitlement matrix which is a compilation of eligibility and entitlement for each type of identified loss category. The Project will establish a simple and acceptable, transparent and effective grievance redress mechanism (GRM). The Project will undertake meaningful consultations for every subproject to ensure the full awareness and participation of community people and stakeholders, and to carry out an initial assessment of social and involuntary resettlement impact and identify the issues and the level of support of the community to the project. Copies of the approved RF and any RP of the project will be made available in Maldives language (Dhivehi) at locations accessible to affected persons (APs). The draft and final RPs will be disclosed on ADB’s and the government’s websites and will be made available to affected persons (APs). A summary of each RP containing the entitlement matrix, including the list of APs will be translated into local language as a Public Information Booklet.