Regional : Strengthening Resilience to Climate Change in the Health Sector in the Greater Mekong Subregion

Sovereign Project | 47143-001

The midterm review of ADB''s Strategy 2020 strategic priorities includes support for regional public goods, poverty reduction and inclusive growth, which includes an expansion of health sector operations. The TA is aligned with (i) the environment and biodiversity priority of the Strategic Framework of the GMS Economic Cooperation Program (2012-2022); (ii) the Strategic Framework and Action Plan for Human Resource Development in the GMS (2013-2017); (iii) the program framework document (PFD) for CEP-BCI (2012-2016); and (iv) the SERD climate change implementation plan. The TA is consistent with the GMS Regional Cooperation Operations Business Plan (2013-2014) (RCOBP), with an increased focus on climate change as a broader development issues as well as an environmental issue.

Project Details

  • Project Officer
    Xu, Ye
    Southeast Asia Department
    Request for information
  • Country/Economy
    Regional
  • Modality
  • Sector
    • Health
Project Name Strengthening Resilience to Climate Change in the Health Sector in the Greater Mekong Subregion
Project Number 47143-001
Country / Economy Regional
Cambodia
Lao People's Democratic Republic
Viet Nam
Project Status Closed
Project Type / Modality of Assistance Technical Assistance
Source of Funding / Amount
TA 8898-REG: Strengthening Resilience to Climate Change in the Health Sector in the Greater Mekong Subregion
Nordic Development Fund US$ 4.36 million
Strategic Agendas Environmentally sustainable growth
Inclusive economic growth
Regional integration
Drivers of Change Gender Equity and Mainstreaming
Governance and capacity development
Knowledge solutions
Partnerships
Sector / Subsector

Health /

Gender Some gender elements
Description The midterm review of ADB''s Strategy 2020 strategic priorities includes support for regional public goods, poverty reduction and inclusive growth, which includes an expansion of health sector operations. The TA is aligned with (i) the environment and biodiversity priority of the Strategic Framework of the GMS Economic Cooperation Program (2012-2022); (ii) the Strategic Framework and Action Plan for Human Resource Development in the GMS (2013-2017); (iii) the program framework document (PFD) for CEP-BCI (2012-2016); and (iv) the SERD climate change implementation plan. The TA is consistent with the GMS Regional Cooperation Operations Business Plan (2013-2014) (RCOBP), with an increased focus on climate change as a broader development issues as well as an environmental issue. The TA will build on ADB-financed projects and TAs including the Second Communicable Disease Control (CDC 2) Project, the Water Resources Management Sector Development Program in Cambodia, Mainstreaming Climate Resilience into Development Planning in Cambodia, Climate Impact and Adaptation Sectoral Strategy for Rural Infrastructure in Lao PDR, Climate Change Impact and Adaptation Study in the Mekong Delta in Viet Nam, the regional TA for Managing Climate Impacts on Health in Water and Agriculture Sectors and Disaster Risk Reduction, the Core Environment Program and Biodiversity Conservation Corridors Initiative in the GMS, and Greater Mekong Subregion Flood and Drought Risk Management and Mitigation Project. The completion report of a previous TA recommended that (i) countries are encouraged to adapt their tools and instruments so that health impacts of climate change can be taken into account in the design, implementation, and monitoring process for all projects; and (ii) ADB should consider supporting DMCs in developing climate resilient sector road maps that include health impacts and evidence-based good practices on climate change and health for key sectors. Disaster risk management interventions will not be included in the TA. TA results will be instrumental for the design of the proposed GMS project on health security, the former communicable disease control project.
Project Rationale and Linkage to Country/Regional Strategy Climate change is recognized as a major threat to economic development in southeast Asia, which is one of the most climate at risk regions in the world, in particular, coastal and low-lying regions like the Greater Mekong Sub-region (GMS). Rapid infrastructure development including hydropower, roads and new urban areas, as well as the increased mobility of populations, is likely to have an impact on vector ecology and disease incidence. The major diseases most sensitive to climate change (e.g. vector-borne diseases, diarrhea, and infections associated with under nutrition) are most significant among children living in poverty. In the GMS, the World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that climate change will contribute to about 150,000 deaths annually. Populations are vulnerable to climate-induced health risks because of (i) changes in temperature and rainfall patterns that affect the incidence of vector-borne diseases (e.g. malaria and dengue) and also change in the geographical habitat of the disease vectors; (ii) extreme weather events that cause injuries, deaths, water contamination, and infectious and water-borne diseases; (iii) droughts and heavy rainfall that cause significant reduction in crop yield, that lead to low food security and malnutrition; and (iv) increased risk of heat waves in urban areas, along with forest fires that adversely affect air quality over broad areas and exacerbate the occurrence and intensity of respiratory diseases and heat strokes. The direct costs to health (excluding costs in health-determining sectors such as agriculture and water and sanitation) are estimated to be $2-$4 billion per year by 2030 worldwide. Cambodia and the Lao PDR have a high burden of vector-borne diseases and in recent years more than 150,000 dengue cases were reported annually. In Cambodia, vector-borne and water-borne diseases (malaria, dengue and cholera) cause significant impact on health outcomes such as an increase in dengue cases. Viet Nam is more vulnerable to climate change due to regular flooding of low coastal areas and frequent typhoons and therefore an increased burden of vector-water and food borne diseases. Diseases related to frequent heat waves such as respiratory infections are increasing in the region. The Government of Viet Nam has recognized that climate change is a major threat to development and approved the National Target Program (NTP) in 2008, which policy and implementation was supported by ADB financed through the Nordic Development Fund. Recent regional analyses show that a warmer, more variable climate will have adverse health effects, which significantly will impact on the poor, particularly women and children. Climate change will strain health resources of countries that already face public health challenges, poor infrastructure, poverty, and inequality. The urban and rural poor in the GMS have limited adaptive capacity given the existing burden of climate sensitive diseases, poverty, low educational attainment, and inadequate quality of health services. In this context, it will be necessary to identify investment priorities such as for climate resilient infrastructure and capacity building to cope and prevent the effects of climate sensitive diseases including those related to natural disasters and thereby strengthen governments' capacity for planning and implementing national climate change programs. Women and children are disproportionately more vulnerable than men to impacts of climate change. However, efforts to integrate gender perspectives in health adaptation programs, plans, and policies have also been limited. Gender-sensitive collection, analysis and reporting of sex-disaggregated data, is needed to better understand the health implications of climate change and climate policies. This will provide information to supporting gender mainstreaming in climate change policies, alongside empowerment of individuals to build their own resilience.
Impact

Reduced vulnerability to climate-induced health risks, especially for vulnerable populations, including the poor, migrants, and ethnic minority groups in the GMS

Project Outcome
Description of Outcome

Enhanced capacity of participating countries and health agencies in climate change adaptation

Progress Toward Outcome Regional training of trainers (TOTs) and national workshops have been conducted for all three countries. Training materials have been completed. Vulnerability and adaptation (V&A) assessments are finalized for all three countries. National health adaptation plans (HNAP) of countries have been developed/updated.
Implementation Progress
Description of Project Outputs

Knowledge and understanding of the relationship between climate change and human health improved

Human resource skills in coping with climate change adaptation in the health sector strengthened

Knowledge products shared and advocacy promoted

Status of Implementation Progress (Outputs, Activities, and Issues)

Under Output 1, each country has developed its national climate change and human health adaptation plan and has completed their respective Vulnerability and Adaptation Assessment (V&A) studies as a key knowledge product of the project. The implementing agencies are currently working on disseminating the findings of the V&As through workshops. Two regional pre-feasibility studies (one focusing on integrated surveillance and early warning systems [ISS/EWS], and the other on a topic from V&A adaptation options and associated investments list) are being prepared to produce investment options. The TA has also collected health and climate data for software and risk projections required to develop an integrated climate change and human health (CC&HH) surveillance database expected to be completed this year.

Under Output 2, the TA consulting firm and the implementing agencies have (i) organized three regional training of trainers (ToTs) on climate change and human health (CC&HH); (ii) developed three country training modules both in English and local language, including a second knowledge product called 'Fundamentals of Climate Change and Health training module; and (ii) organized a series of capacity building workshops and regular consultations with key stakeholders, such as workshops on ISS/EWS, Geographic Information System, Public Private Partnership to sensitize stakeholders on potential investment options and to build capacity within related-government agencies. Training roll-out sessions by trainers at the national and provincial levels for Lao PDR and Viet Nam are ongoing while Cambodia has completed all training sessions.

Under Output 3, the TA conducted an ADB and Nordic Seminar on climate change and health in December 2019 at the United Nations climate summit (known as the 24th Conference of the Parties, or COP24), which served as a key knowledge dissemination and advocacy activity. The seminar (i) discussed policy developments in climate change adaptation in health, and needs and gaps in climate-smart health care financing in the GMS; and (ii) reported key findings from the TA project including preliminary V&A findings of climate change-induced health risks in the three countries, and the modeling approach for such risks.

Geographical Location Cambodia - Nation-wide; Lao People's Democratic Republic - Nation-wide; Viet Nam - Nation-wide
Summary of Environmental and Social Aspects
Environmental Aspects
Involuntary Resettlement
Indigenous Peoples
Stakeholder Communication, Participation, and Consultation
During Project Design Positive feedback about the proposed TA was received during initial discussions with the ministries of health. During fact-finding, a number of agencies/institutions and donor organizations working on climate change and health will be consulted to discuss scope and implementation arrangements.
During Project Implementation The TA will be monitored through the IAs and supported by the consulting team. The results of the TA (midterm and final) will be evaluated and disseminated through regional workshops and or consultation meetings which will include key regional institutions on climate change and academia. Good practices and lessons learned will be disseminated through regional workshops, the CDC and related government websites, and a proposed joint publication on the pilot results.
Business Opportunities
Consulting Services The TA engaged an international consulting firm with a team of international and national consultants with expertise in public health, climate change adaptation in the health sector, climate change modeling, health economy, training, public private partnerships, data management, epidemiology, gender and community development and communications. The international consultant team undertakes visits to Cambodia, Lao PDR and Viet Nam to provide support on TA implementation. The consulting firm was recruited using quality- and cost-based selection method (90:10). TA funds for administration, training, regional meetings, workshops, and study tours will be managed under the consulting firm contract.
Procurement All equipment (computers and software to support data analysis) will be procured following the ADB Procurement Guidelines (2015, amended from time to time).
Responsible ADB Officer Xu, Ye
Responsible ADB Department Southeast Asia Department
Responsible ADB Division Human and Social Development Division, SERD
Executing Agencies
Asian Development Bank
Timetable
Concept Clearance 24 Jul 2014
Fact Finding 01 Apr 2014 to 12 May 2014
MRM -
Approval 26 May 2015
Last Review Mission -
Last PDS Update 28 Mar 2020

TA 8898-REG

Milestones
Approval Signing Date Effectivity Date Closing
Original Revised Actual
26 May 2015 - 26 May 2015 31 Dec 2018 31 Dec 2020 29 Apr 2021
Financing Plan/TA Utilization Cumulative Disbursements
ADB Cofinancing Counterpart Total Date Amount
Gov Beneficiaries Project Sponsor Others
0.00 4,360,000.00 50,000.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 4,410,000.00 17 Jun 2022 3,913,744.58

Project Data Sheets (PDS) contain summary information on the project or program. Because the PDS is a work in progress, some information may not be included in its initial version but will be added as it becomes available. Information about proposed projects is tentative and indicative.

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Safeguard Documents See also: Safeguards
Safeguard documents provided at the time of project/facility approval may also be found in the list of linked documents provided with the Report and Recommendation of the President.

None currently available.


Evaluation Documents See also: Independent Evaluation

Title Document Type Document Date
Strengthening Resilience to Climate Change in the Health Sector in the Greater Mekong Subregion Validation of Technical Assistance Completion Reports Dec 2021

Related Publications

None currently available.


The Access to Information Policy (AIP) establishes the disclosure requirements for documents and information ADB produces or requires to be produced in its operations to facilitate stakeholder participation in ADB's decision-making. For more information, refer to the Safeguard Policy Statement, Operations Manual F1, and Operations Manual L3.

Requests for information may also be directed to the InfoUnit.

Tenders

No tenders for this project were found.

Contracts Awarded

Contract Title Approval Number Contract Date Contractor | Address Executing Agency Total Contract Amount (US$) Contract Amount Financed by ADB (US$)
Capacity Development Technical Assistance 8898 12 Jan 2016 Conseil Sante S.A. (France) in Association with Societe Francaise De Realisation D'Etudes et de Co (France) | 92-98 BOULEVARD VICTOR HUGO 92110 CLINCHY FRANCE Asian Development Bank 2,746,952.00

Procurement Plan

None currently available.