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Pid) Concept Stage PROJECT INFORMATION DOCUMENT (PID) CONCEPT STAGE Report No.: PIDC1043 Public Disclosure Authorized Project Name Strengthening Hydro-Meteorological and Climate Services in DRC (P144712) Region AFRICA Public Disclosure Copy Country Congo, Democratic Republic of Sector(s) General water, sanitation and flood protection sector (75%), Ports, waterways and shipping (25%) Theme(s) Climate change (50%), Water resource management (50%) Lending Instrument Investment Project Financing Project ID P144712 Borrower(s) Ministry Of Finances Public Disclosure Authorized Implementing Agency Ministry of Transport and Communication Channels, MettelSat (National Agency of Meteorology and Remote Sensing by Satellite) Environmental B-Partial Assessment Category Date PID Prepared/ 26-Jun-2013 Updated Date PID Approved/ 31-Jul-2013 Disclosed Estimated Date of 20-Feb-2014 Appraisal Completion Public Disclosure Authorized Estimated Date of 15-Jul-2014 Board Approval Concept Review Decision Public Disclosure Copy I. Introduction and Context Country Context The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is located in west equatorial Africa and is the continent's third largest country. An abundance of natural, forest and water resources are found across its 2.3 million square kilometers. The Congo River Basin has 20,000 km of waterways of which 16,000 are in DRC. Because 87 percent of the rivers in DRC can be navigated, the Congo River becomes a lifeline for transport, trade, communication, livelihoods and linkages with the eight other riparian countries. The Congo River is not only Africa's second longest (4,700 km) and the world's deepest Public Disclosure Authorized river (over 220 m), but it also has the world's third largest flow of water. The average yearly water discharge is over 41,000 cubic meters per second - which is equivalent to 70 percent of Africa's five largest river basins. It is not surprising that the continent's biggest hydropower-potential is found in DRC. For example, the Inga hydroelectric scheme alone has a 40,000 MW capacity. DRC also has Page 1 of 8 the world's second largest contiguous tropical rainforest covering 62 percent of its territory (1.6 million square kilometers), providing significant biodiversity, eight natural heritage sites and supplies of timber. Mineral reserves that are found particularly in eastern and central DRC include diamonds, coltan, tin, copper, gold, oil and cobalt. Despite its natural riches, DRC is too often associated with poverty and political instability. Since independence in 1960, wars have affected economic performance and human security (1996-1997; 1998-2002). These two wars have left over 3 million dead, 1.4 million internally displaced persons and continued rebellion in eastern DRC. Although the country is recovering and three elections have Public Disclosure Copy been held (2002, 2006 and 2011), over 70 percent of its population of 70 million live in extreme poverty (less than US$1/day). Food insecurity is pervasive and a majority of people lack access to basic health. With a life expectancy of 48 years, 59 percent literacy and severe child mortality (110 deaths/1,000 births), DRC falls behind other sub-Saharan African countries. Economic growth is also challenged by comparatively high commodity prices. Essential goods consumed in DRC are expensive because of the dependency on imports, aggravated by inefficiencies and lack of competition along the trade logistic chains (including the optimal use of navigable waterways). DRC is so vast that no one single meteorological system characterises the country. The country is located within the Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ), affecting the magnitude and timing of the dry and rainy season. North of the ITCZ, the rainy season peaks in August. In March, it peaks in areas south of the equator. In a city such as Kisangani in central DRC, the typical climate involves high rainfall (1,700 mm/year), high humidity and uniform temperatures in the upper 20˚C. In southern DRC, the dry season is slightly longer with average rainfall dropping to around 1,250 mm/ year. The Congo River contains large wetlands, long stretches of langoustine (lake-like) conditions, impressive rapids and cataracts such as the Livingstone Falls between Kinshasa and Matadi (32 rapids, 260 m drop in elevation), and a narrow estuary defined ecologically and hydrologically by the natural boundary of aforementioned rapids. Downstream of the Boyoma Falls near Kisangani in central DRC, water levels in the main stem of the river remain relatively even, partly because the rainy season migrates across the major tributaries Ubangi north of the equator, Kasai in the southwest and Lualaba in the southeast. Annual fluctuations in climate, however, can change drastically where floodwaters from different tributaries arrive at different times. Sectoral and Institutional Context A number of economic sectors in DRC could benefit from more accurate, relevant and timely hydro-met information. In particular, these sectors include: navigation and transport in the Congo Public Disclosure Copy River Basin; airfreight and aviation; agriculture investment and food productivity; management and operation of reservoirs; and development of hydropower. With greater understanding of severe weather and water events, the Government's Early Warning Systems (EWS) can be improved resulting in reduced loss of life and property, for example in flood prone and populated areas. Climate change is a prioritised development challenge for the Government of DRC. The second Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (PRSP-2) adopted in 2011, has as one of its four core pillars: “Protecting the Environment and fighting Climate Change”. In particular, the Government seeks to build resilience against the impact of climate change on agriculture, water resources and vector- borne diseases. However, the Government of DRC and the global scientific community has little understanding of the potential impact of climate change (for example, with the lack of data on weather and water, basic prerequisites for climate modeling such as a water-balance of the Congo River Basin have not been done). Conceptual climate change models indicate, however, that in the Page 2 of 8 next 30 years rainfall in the northern sections of the Congo River Basin could decrease significantly and evapotranspiration increase. The combined result could reduce the water-flow of the Congo River by 10 percent (R. Tshimanga 2013; Sub-Saharan Africa Water Resources Network/Science Initiative Group). Other estimates indicate greater risk of environmental degradation, increased erosion and more vulnerable food production systems. It is essential to build the Government's capacity to monitor and forecast hydro-met conditions and importantly, transfer improved knowledge into decision making and planning to build resilience. The mandate for hydro-met services resides in the Ministry for Transport and Communication Public Disclosure Copy Channels (MoTC - Ministère des Transports et Voies de Communications). In DRC, National Hydrological and Meteorological Services (NHMS) are provided by the National Agency for Meteorology and Remote Sensing (MettelSat - L’Agence Nationale de Météorologie et de Télédétection par Satellite). MettelSat monitors and forecasts weather and is responsible for remote sensing, operational hydrology, thematic cartography, and environmental monitoring. Recently, the Government has expanded MettelSat’s mandate on hydrological observation and forecasting (with the expectation that its Department of Hydrology will grow). Additional observation and forecasting is done by the Waterways Authority (RVF - Régie des Voies Fluviales), the Airways Authority (RVA - Régie des Voies Aériennes) and the Congolese Maritime Authority (CVM - Congolaise des Voies Maritimes). Overall, the national observation network is in very weak condition. In 1960, for example, there were 350 stations to observe the waters in the Congo River. Today, only ten hydrological stations are functioning. Relationship to CAS In keeping with the 2010 World Bank Strategy for Africa, the proposed Project aligns with the second pillar of the CAS for DRC (FY13-FY16): to "reduce vulnerability and enhance resilience". The proposed Project would especially support the CAS-principle of mainstreaming climate change as a cross-cutting theme and be beneficial to a range of sectors. The Project would align with future IDA priorities in DRC including transport and water infrastructure, as well as food security and disaster risk reduction. This integration between priority investments outlined in the CAS is particularly important for building climate resilience. Together with the UN, the World Bank announced in May 2013 its future commitment of US$1 billion to the “Peace, Security and Cooperation Framework for the DRC and the Great Lakes Region” in collaboration with the region's governments, SADC and the African Union. Of relevance, this new framework includes financing for hydroelectric power plants, roads, and Public Disclosure Copy agricultural infrastructure that depend on adequate hydrological and meteorological information. II. Proposed Development Objective(s) Proposed Development Objective(s) (From PCN) The proposed Project Development Objective (PDO) is to improve the quality of the Government of DRC’s hydro-meteorological and climate services. The PDO would be achieved by supporting the Government's hydro-met services (particularly MettelSat) in: optimising the collection, management and sharing of data on water
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