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Public Notice

2024-2025 Primary and reproductive health services to the vulnerable groups and conflict-affected populations in Al Hodeida Governorate, Yemen – Public Comments Invited

January 29, 2025 – Global Affairs Canada must determine whether the proposed 2024-2025 Primary and reproductive health services to vulnerable groups and conflict-affected populations, located in Yemen is likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects.

To help inform this determination, Global Affairs Canada is inviting comments from the public respecting that determination. All comments received will be considered public and may be posted online.

Written comments must be submitted by March 03, 2025 to:

Environment Specialists 

Global Affairs Canada 

200 Promenade du Portage
Gatineau (QC) J8X 4B7

Email:?CommentsIAARegistry-CommentairesRegistreLEI@international.gc.ca

 

The Proposed Project

Yemen is facing a severe humanitarian crisis due to ongoing conflict and instability. In 2024, 18.2 million people needed urgent humanitarian assistance. Al Hodeida governorate, where the project will be implemented, has a high number of districts with critical needs, significant internally displaced persons (IDPs) population, and high malnutrition rates. Heavy rains and floods in August 2024 worsened the situation, further straining the healthcare system and leaving thousands, especially women and children, vulnerable and struggling to access essential healthcare services.

The project aims to improve access to primary, maternal, newborn, and reproductive health services in Al Hodeida through integrated health and protection interventions. Project activities include:

• Rehabilitating latrines and sewage systems.
• Improving water supply networks.
• Installing solar power systems.
• General rehabilitation of health facility infrastructure.
• Constructing and rehabilitating 10 medical waste cones with small-scale incinerators.
• Rehabilitating on-site disposal pits for non-incinerable waste.

 

The project locations are on previously developed land, with no construction or rehabilitation planned in ecologically, historically, or culturally sensitive areas. The area is prone to flooding, so infrastructure will be designed to withstand future flood events. Flooding also leads to contamination of water sources, which is exacerbated by collapsed sanitation systems, improper disposal of medical waste (leading to soil and water contamination), and the use of diesel generators (contributing to air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions).

 

All activities will adhere to Ministry of Health and WHO guidelines to ensure safe disposal of hazardous materials and mitigate environmental impacts. Construction and rehabilitation will occur within health facility premises, at a safe distance from community areas.

 

Geographic coordinates

 

Name	Location	GPS Coordinates Format
Yemen	Al Hodeida Governorate	Lat: 15.35472, Long: 44.20667