EGYPT REQUEST FOR INITIAL ENVIRONMENTAL EXAMINATION AND

CATEGORICAL EXCLUSION

PROGRAM/ACTIVITY DATA:

Program/ Activity Number: TBD

Country/Region: Egypt/ North Sinai

DO: NIA

Program/ Activity Title: Egyptian Red Crescent Relief Operations in response to the terror attack in Al-Rawda Village in North Sinai Governorate

Project/Activity Implementation: One year - through December 31, 2018

LOP Amount: up to EGP 2.7 million (equivalent to approx. $150,000)

Prepared By: Fouad Ellaithy

Amendment (Y/N): N

1. SUMMARY OF FINDINGS:

Current Date: 2/6/2018

On 24th of November 2017, a terrorist attack took place in Al-Rawda village in North Sinai governorate. This attack resulted in more than 300 deaths, and many

injuries. The Egyptian Red Crescent (ERC) - a member of the International Red

Cross/Red Crescent movement - has provided and will continue to provide humanitarian relief to the people of Al-Rawda village following the attack. The interventions proposed consist of two types of activities:

1- Livelihood suppo1t

2-Psychosocial supp01i

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Categorical Exclusion and Negative Determination with conditions are recommended for all activities under this award per 22 CFR 216.2( c )( 1 )(i) and

CFR 216.3(a)(2)(iii) as follows:

Output Activity Basis for Categorical Exclusion Output 1: 1-2: Conduct training, periodic 22 CFR 216.2(c)(2)(i):

Livelihood coaching and consultation to support "Education, technical assistance, or

support the women's loom production. training programs except to the

extent such programs include 1-3: Arrange exhibition to sell the activities directly affecting the products for the women. environment (such as constrnction

of facilities, etc.)"

Output 2: 2-1: A team of 10 - 15 counselors 22 CFR 216.2( c )(2)(i):

Psychosocial will be deployed to provide "Education, technical assistance, or

support counseling to community member training programs except to the

while a local team will be built and extent such programs include

coached from the local ERC branch activities directly affecting the in North Sinai and the local environment (such as construction

community. of facilities, etc.)"

2-2: Training of community

volunteers to provide psychosocial

support.

2-3-3: Training workshop and community activities for youth,

including life skills training, communication, and reduction of

violence, acceptance and diversity.

2-3-4: Psychosocial support for

patients with disabilities, including

home visits.

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Output Activity Basis Negative Determination with Conditions

Output 1: 1-1: Provide looms and knitting 216.3(a)(2)(iii): The cognizant Bureau Livelihood materials necessary for initial or Office will record a Negative support production for 60 women. Detern1ination if the proposed action

will not have a significant effect on the environment.

Condition: The implementer is required to ensure that equipment and materials are procured from certified retailers, as applicable, and that environmental safety and quality certificates conform to national and/or international standards, as applicable. Equipment and materials are used in an environmentally sound and safe manner, properly disposed of, when applicable, at the end of their useful life in a manner consistent with best management practices according to the USG, national standards, or equivalent standards acceptable to USAID.

An EMMP is not necessary; however the implementing partner shall keep records in award files on how this condition is met.

Output 2: 2-3-1: Training for schoolchildren 2 16.3(a)(2)(iii): The cognizant Bureau Psychosocial on topics including first aid, or Office will record a Negative support emergency preparedness, hygiene Determination if the proposed action

and a healthy li festyle. will not have a significant effect on the environment.

2-3-2: Workshops, seminars and trainings promoting women's Condition: A/COR provide MEO with well-being in their communities, training curricula (information) to including physical and mental ensure that best practice information and health aspects . standards are followed for hygiene and

first aid related training for school children prior to the commencement of training. Clearance of training curricula communications including emails will be kept in the award files

An EMMP is not necessary.

2. BACKGROUND:

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Immediately after the attack, ERC activated the operation room at its headquarters

in Cairo, North Sinai and in Ismailiyah branches, which are respectively 200 and

150 km distance from Cairo. Emergency Action Teams have been mobilized in the

branches of Arish and Ismailiyah. Disaster Response Teams and Psychosocial

Support Teams joined from Cairo. Through this intervention ERC aims to build the

capacities of the women, especially those heading larger families , and provides

psychosocial support to the village families including patients with disabilities and

school children. ERC intervention is in coordination with Ministiy of Social

Solidarity and other governmental and non-governmental actors. As this is disaster

assistance, it is expected that this activity will last no more than 12 months.

3. CLIMATE RISK MANAGEMENT:

As per ADS 201, USAID shall factor climate resilience into international

development programs and investments. Therefore, the design team and/or

implementing partner will identify expected climate change impacts over the life of

the activity's expected benefits and (if appropriate) demonstrate how those risks

will be reduced in order to ensure sustainability of the activity's objectives.

A climate risk screening was completed by USAID/Egypt in December 2015. The

screening determined that Education and Democracy and Goveniance activities

under are considered low risk. The climate risk screening is on file with the

mission and the Regional Environmental Advisor.

4. REVISIONS:

As with all USAID-funded projects, and pursuant to 22 CFR 216.3(a)(9), if new

information becomes available which indicates that any of the proposed actions to

be funded by this activity might be "major" and their effects "significant", the

threshold decision for the actions listed above will be reviewed and revised by the originator(s) of the program and projects and submitted through the MEO to the

Bureau Environmental Officers, ME, for approval and, if warranted, an

environmental assessment will be prepared by the Mission as appropriate. It is the

responsibility of the AOR to keep the Mission Environmental Officer and the BEO

informed of any new information or changes in the activity that mighty require

revision of the IEE.

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APPROVAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL ACTION RECOMMENDED:

APPROVAL:

D/Mission Director: ____..._.c:k:____,,.... .... -:;--,,_ _________ Date: ?/to/It Rebecca Latorracca

Bureau Environmental Officer OCJi_, W.L,;&1-Dale: r John Wilson ------

CONCURRENCE:

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ADDITIONAL CLEARANCES:

Mission Environmental Officer/Program: Date: L-/ t /J. . I Soad Saada

Technical OD: _ _i_}l_~=---~~--------- Date:.2. -(;r2.0 \2J ~ Nancy Fisher-Gormley

Resident Legal Officer --'-10 ____ __:::> ___ 1 ~-f-~~-,,_ _ __ Date: _£7_(_)~_1 _l~_

Dav~g

Regional Environmental Advisor _____ _ _ ___ Date: _ _ _ _ _ Suzanne Ebert

ADDITIONAL CLEARANCES:

Mission Environmental Officer/Program: _ _______ Date: ___ _ Soad Saada

Technical OD: ________________ Date: ___ _

Nancy Fisher-Gormley

Resident Legal Officer-------------- Date: ____ _ David Young

Regional Environmental Advisor _ _...._,f __ ._i-""'1-""')!J= _ _,._· ____ Date: ~ b= I 2o r ii' Suzanne Ebert

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