Notice of Determination

Ottawa – February 21, 2025 – Global Affairs Canada have determined that the project Multi-Sectoral Humanitarian Response Targeting IDPs, Returnees and Host Communities in Districts of Khakriz and Shorabak (Kandahar) and Maidan and Gardiz (Paktia), Afghanistan is not likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects.

This determination was based on a consideration of the following factors:

• technically and economically feasible mitigation measures.

Mitigation measures considered for this determination are:

Site Preparation and Construction Phase

• Regular cleaning and spraying of the ground and construction materials with water to avoid dust and the spread of small particles in the air.
• Selection and construction of latrines and healthcare waste incinerators in compliance with WHO/Sphere and WASH/Ministry of Public Health standards to minimize air pollution.

Incinerator Emissions Control

• Regular visual inspection of incinerator emissions for smoke color, density, and residue to ensure complete combustion of waste.
• Training of operators and relevant personnel on monitoring emissions to avoid any toxins emissions.

Site Selection for Health Facilities (HF)

• Choosing sites on relatively high land, outside frequently flooded areas, and not in flash flood-prone deep valleys or near seasonal water flows.

Infrastructure Construction and Maintenance

• Building strong and standard boundary walls with bricks, stones, and cement, with sufficient openings for drainage.
• Backfilling flooded areas and boundary walls of health facilities.

Community Awareness and Participation

• Raising community awareness about closing water channels or diverting unexpected water flows.
• Maintaining close coordination with the Natural Disaster and Risk Mitigation (NDRM) department/unit at the district and provincial levels for timely support.

Solar Energy Systems Waste Management

• Consulting with the relevant government entity for advice on handling solar energy systems' waste before procurement, exploring recycling options.
• Training health facility staff by the construction company engineer on how to operate and maintain the efficiency of solar systems.

Tree Planting and Maintenance

• Planting native trees in the spare land of each health facility.
• Ensuring proper maintenance and care by health facility guards/cleaners.
• Instructing HF staff, clients/patients, and visitors (through small signboards, awareness, and environmental education) not to cut, break, or damage trees and vegetation.

Use of Conex Containers

• Minimizing construction work by installing ready-made Conex containers for the main HF infrastructure.
• Regular cleaning and spraying of the ground and construction materials with water during the site preparation and construction phase to avoid dust and the spread of small particles in the air.

Global Affairs Canada is satisfied that that the carrying out of the project is not likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects.

Therefore, Global Affairs Canada may carry out the project, exercise any power, perform any duty or function, or provide financial assistance to enable the project to be carried out in whole or in part.