<div><h4>Description</h4><p>The project will help the Government of Timor-Leste meet its transport sector priorities to enhance connectivity to markets and services and its social and national development agenda, through (i) rehabilitating and upgrading approximately 93.9 kilometers (km) of national road sections of Com-Lautem-Lospalos-Iliomar and four bridges in Lospalos, Tirilolo, and Irabere in the east and the south coast areas of the country, designed for better resilience to climate change and social inclusion; (ii) improving road asset management capacity and systems; and (iii) enhancing awareness of road safety and gender-related issues within the project area. The project supports continuing efforts of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and other development partners to help upgrade and sustain the country's national road network.</p><h4>Impact</h4><p><p>Communities connected and access to markets improved</p></p></div>

East to South Coast Road Connectivity Project

Initial poverty and social analysis project number: 54326- 001 october 2021 timor -leste: east to south coast road connectivity project this document is being disclosed to the public in accordance with adb's access to information policy. . in preparing any country program or strategy, financing any project, or by making any designation of or reference to a particular territory or geographic area in this document, the asian development bank does not intend to make any judgments as to the legal or other status of any territory or area. initial poverty and social analysis country: democratic republic of timor -leste project title: east to south coast road connectivity project lendingfinancing modality: project loan departmentdivision serdsetc i. poverty impact and social dimensions a. links to the national poverty reduction strategy and country partnership strategy the project is consistent with the timor -leste strategic development plan sdp 2011 -2030 which sets a vision to promote economic growth, fast -track economic development and modernize and diversify the economy by providing the country with high- quality inf rastructure.a road investment is one of the key focus areas expected to increase economic activities, enhance productivity and improve access to social services. emphasis on road upgrading by the current government operational plans intends to achieve imme diate and transformational change for a more inclusive development and social stability. support for road infrastructure remains consistent with the adb's priority operations in timor -leste. the adb's country partnership strategy for timor -leste for 2016- 2020b maintains adb's focus on the development and management of infrastructure particularly improving rural transport connectivity to make services more accessible and available outside of the capital city dili. the need for road construction and rehabili tation in the country remains significant which the government commits to deliver in partnership with adb and other development partners. b. poverty targeting : general intervention individual or household ti -h geographic ti -g non-income mdgs ti -m1, m2, etc. the proposed project contributes to improving connectivity and access to essential social services and employment opportunities which are major factors contributing to rural poverty in the project area. it will upgrade and climate proof 173.7 kilometers km of the national road section, including com -lautem -lospalos -viqueque sections. enhanced movements of people and goods are also expected to decrease migration to urban areas particularly young people in the rural area. c. poverty and social analysis 1 key issues and potential beneficiaries. the project will significantly benefit rural communities, especially the predominantly rural poor in project affected communities. vulnerable groups such as women, elderly and children are expected to greatly benefit from reduced travel time and more available transport services to increase their access to the nearest markets and social service delivery institutions such as schools, hospitals, and clinics. 2. impact channels and expected systemic changes. the poor and vulnerable groups will benefit from the project through i direct and indirect employment generation and ii improved access to services, markets and communication in general. the upgrading of the roa ds will create local employment opportunities from construction to be sourced locally in the form of unskilled labor or related services to the construction sites. easier and speedier travel, opening up access to services, including health centers and scho ols will have an impact on productivity and cheaper transportation. 3. focus of and resources allocated in the transaction ta or due diligence. a social development and gender specialists will be engaged to undertake social, poverty, and gender analysis . the social impact assessment to be carried out by international and national social safeguards specialists will also identify both positive and potential adverse social impacts e.g. involuntary resettlement and impacts on ethnic groups of the project and develop corresponding mitigation measures. 4. specific analysis for policy -based lending. not applicable. ii. gender and development 1. what are the key gender issues in the sector andor subsector that are likely to be relevant to this project or program the proposed project will improve women's general access in economic opportunities and social services. improved connectivity and trans portation will have a positive impact on tackling common gender issues in the country such as high maternal mortality rate, significant gender gaps in the labor market and pervasive domestic violence. access to health facilities through improved transporta tion will allow timely and improved delivery of maternal and reproductive health services. the current level of provision of health and maternity services in which some 85 of birth deliveries are in the home will be significantly improved. women's partici pation in the labor market will be enhanced through improved connectivity and accessibility and affordability of transportation going to workplace and broad variety of work opportunities. the majority of women in the project areas are engaged in agricultur e activities or small and medium -sized agro- industries including cottage agro- industries alongside men, and will benefit greatly from improved roads. physical connectivity is also expected to enhance delivery of timely support and assistance such as to t hose women who experienced violence. 2 2. does the proposed project or program have the potential to contribute to the promotion of gender equity andor empowerment of women by providing women access to and use of opportunities, services, resources, assets, and participation in decision -makingyesno improved road transportation will enhance improved access to services and livelihood opportunities, as well as potentially reduce their time burden. the project implementation will also set targets for women's participation in project -related work opportunities and implementation of community -based road sa fety programs which will be reflected in gap targets . 3. could the proposed project have an adverse impact on women andor girls or widen gender inequality yesno hivaids infection and related trafficking of women is a high -risk factor during roads construction and will be the subject of an hivaids awareness and prevention program. other measures will be identified during the trta. 4. indicate the intended gender mainstreaming category: gen gender equity egm effective gender mainstreaming sge some gender elements nge no gender elements . participation and empowering the poor 1. who are the main stakeholders of the project, including beneficiaries and affected people explain how they will each participate in the project's design. the main stakeholders include the government, landowners and households to be affected by land ac quisition and resettlement, road users, transport owners and operators and civil society and non- government organizations. the beneficiaries will participate in consultation sessions during the design of project activities and subsequent phases of project preparation and implementation. the stakeholders will also participate in social and poverty analysis, impact assessments and preparation of mitigation plans, as needed and during project implementation. based on meaningful consultation, stakeholders' feedback will be incorporated and documented in the environmental and social impact assessment reports and relevant safeguards plans. 2. who are the key, active, and relevant csos in the project area the due diligence for social safeguards and gender is ongoing. as part of the due diligence and assessments the consultants reach out to the relevant csos in the project area and involve them in meaningful consultations. 3. are there issues during pro ject design for which participation of the poor and vulnerable is important yesno if yes, what are these issues local communities will be consulted during social and poverty analysis to identify any socia l impacts which need to be mitigated. these consultations will be inclusive participated by women and other marginalized groups. active participation of marginalized groups including the poor and other vulnerable groups will be a critical part of resettle ment and ethnic minorities planning during project preparation, and in safeguards implementation after project approval 4. how will the project ensure the participation of beneficiaries and affected people, particularly the poor and vulnerable andor csos , during project design to address these issues the trta will undertake a stakeholder analysis and prepare for a consultation and participation plan. the plan will set out consultation requirements and information disclosure throughout various stages of project implementation. public meetings and focus group discussions will be utilized to communicate and consult with stakeholders including collaboration with community -based organizations to ensure effective outreach, mobilization and participation of concerned communities and vulnerable groups. stakeholder consultations will ensure broad participation of project beneficiaries and potentially affected persons, including poor and other vulnerable groups. stakeholder feedback and suggestions will be docume nted and integrated in project design and social and environmental impact assessment. household -level socioeconomic surveys and inventory of loss surveys will be carried out. 5. what level of cso participation is planned during the project design m information generation and sharing m consultation l collaboration na partnership nongovernment organizations and civil society organizations will be consulted during the project design and have an active role in project preparation and implementat ion through the provision of specific services andor involvement during monitoring and evaluation processes. iv. social safeguards a. involuntary resettlement categorya b c fi 1. does the project have the potential to involve involuntary land acquisition resulting in physical and economic displacementyes no preliminary assessment for the lautem -com section indicate that the road upgrading work will for the most part be on the land occupied by the existing roads. however, minor widening and realignment will affect a limited number of properties with approximately 27 affected households 137 affected persons. a draft resettlement plan for lautem -3 com section was prepared i n 2015 and needs to be updated and improved to meet the requirements of adb's safeguard policy statement sps 2009. resettlement surveys will be carried out to identify the potential affected persons and the type and scale of resettlement impacts as part of safeguards due diligence during project preparation. corresponding mitigation measures in line with adb safeguard policy statement 2009 will be developed and integrated into resettlement plans one per road section. 2. what action plan is required t o address involuntary resettlement as part of the transaction ta or due diligence process resettlement plan resettlement frameworksocial imp act matrix environmental and social management system arrangement none b. indigenous peoples category a b c fi 1. does the proposed project have the potential to directly or indirectly affect the dignity, human rights, livelihood systems, or culture of indigenous peoplesyes no 2. does it affect the territories or natural and cultural resources indigenous peoples own, use, occupy, or claim, as their ancestral domainyesno lautem -com section may entail land acquisition affecting the fataluku ethnic group. the nature of impacts and whethe r the affected ethnic groups trigger the adb indigenous peoples safeguards will be determined during trta due diligence. 3. will the project require broad community support of affected indigenous communitiesyes no the project is not expected to involve i commercial development of the cultural resources and knowledge of indigenous peoples; ii commercial development of natural resources within customary lands under use that would impact the livelihoods or the cultural, ceremonial, or spiritual uses that define the identity and community of indigenous peoples. however, this will be confirmed as part of saf eguards due diligence activities. it will also be confirmed during due diligence if the project will cause physical displacement from traditional or customary lands. 4. what action plan is required to address risks to indigenous peoples as part of the tra nsaction ta or due diligence process indigenous peoples planindigenous peoples planning framework social impact matrix environmental and social management system arrangement none v. other social issues and risks 1. what other social issues and risks should be considered in the project design creating decent jobs and employmentm adhering to core labor standardslabor retrenchment l spread of communicable diseases, including hivaidsincrease in human traffickingm affordability increase in unplanned migrationincrease in vulner ability to disasterscreating political instability creating internal social conflicts others, please specify 2. how are these additional social issues and risks going to be addressed in the project design requirements for core labor standards workers' health and safety, not employing child labor will be stipulated in bidding documents and civil works contracts. awareness and prevention programs on hivaids and other communicable diseases will be prepared. vi. transaction ta or due diligence resource requirement 1. do the terms of reference for the transaction ta or other due diligence contain key information needed to be gathered during transaction ta or due diligence process to better analyze i poverty and social impact, ii gender impact, participation dimensions, iv social safeguards, and v other social risks are the relevant specialists identified yes no 2. what resources e.g., consultants, survey budget, and workshop are allocated for conducting poverty, social, andor gender analysis; and the participation plan during the transaction ta or due diligence social development and gender specialist s will be responsible for preparation of a project consultation and participation plan and will undertake social and poverty assessment including gender analysis. the consultant team has international and national social safeguards experts. budget is included under the contracts of these experts to carry out consultations and conduct the required surveys for social safeguard s due diligence, and social and poverty assessment adb = asian development bank, cso = civil society organization, ta = technical assistance. a government of timor -leste. 2011. timor -leste strategic development plan, 2011- 2030 . dili. b adb. 2016. country partnership strategy: timor -leste, 2016- 2020 . manila. source: asian development bank.

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East to South Coast Road Connectivity Project: Initial Poverty and Social Analysis

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