PROJECT INFORMATION DOCUMENT (PID) CONCEPT STAGE

Report No.: PIDC1043 Public Disclosure Authorized Project Name Strengthening Hydro-Meteorological and Climate Services in DRC (P144712) Region

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 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 and (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 and weather conditions based on agreed realistic criteria and resources; integrating resources provided through remote sensing and regional/global forecasting centers; improving the skills and motivation of staff in the implementing agencies; and ability to absorb new technologies and solutions for delivering

Page 3 of 8 relevant hydro-met information to users in relevant sectors.

The PDO could be achieved and sustained through tailoring the project to ‘core’ needs of prioritised sectors. Thereby, the project can serve as a foundation for building climate resilience and economic growth in these sectors. Key Results (From PCN) Key results would include: • Improved accuracy of hydrological and meteorological forecasts for prioritised users and

Public Disclosure Copy geographical areas ; • Longer lead-time of severe hydrological and meteorological event forecasts; • More effective data exchange between hydro-met agencies through the endorsement of clarified mandates and data-sharing protocols; and • Increased satisfaction of surveyed users in prioritised and serviced sectors.

III. Preliminary Description Concept Description The proposed Project would have the following component structure to support achievement of the PDO:

Component A. Institutional and regulatory strengthening, capacity building and implementation support. Component A would invest in the human and institutional resources that can implement and sustain observation and forecasting of weather and water. Considering the need to address the current challenges in staffing and policy mandates, the Component would invest in: i) reinforcing the legal and regulatory framework of MettelSat and other agencies (including Standard Operating Procedures – SOP); ii) Quality Management Systems to raise standards and quality control/ verification procedures across the institutions; iii) long-term and on-demand capacity building and training of staff to build the human skills needed to sustain modernised hydro-met services (both national and international-level training) ; iv) institutional mechanisms to build cooperation between the hydro-met agencies and their major users through protocols on data sharing and workshops etc.; and, v) additional operational support to MettelSat and other agencies through technical assistance and, if optimal, “twinning” arrangements with advanced NHMS (under the guidance by WMO for example).

Public Disclosure Copy Component B. Modernisation of capacity, facilities and infrastructure for observation and forecasting. Component B will invest in the reinforcement and rebuilding of the basic networks for observation and forecasting capacity. A highly focused approach to investments is required in DRC considering the current status of hydro-met services, and allocation of investment will have to be made based on priority sectors/user-groups being served, core-capacity for observation and forecasting and the long-term ability to operate and maintain the services. Investments will focus on the following key areas: i) strengthening the physical hydrological and meteorological monitoring networks through rehabilitation of existing stations and installation of new equipment (suitable to the context and capacity-levels – i.e., the ‘core’ network based on prioritised users) with selected observation at key locations for surface water and weather conditions in particular, and to the extent possible, water quality and groundwater; ii) a long-term calibration, operations and maintenance programme of the

Page 4 of 8 network; iii) improved transmission, management and accessibility of hydro-met data whilst capitalising on future mobile tools/e-services and wireless Internet protocols; iv) refurbishment of facilities needed to support the services including offices and ICT infrastructure (including central and regional operating centers), Internet connectivity, data storage and processing at MettelSat, RVF and RVA in Kinshasa and selected regional forecasting centers; and, v) strengthening the technical systems/softwares used for performing hydrological and meteorological modelling and forecasting and integration of improved predictions into products, decision support- and early warning systems (with parallel training of staff under Component A).

Public Disclosure Copy Improving the capacity to predict and analyse hydro-meteorology in MettelSat, RVF and RVA, will be essential to secure the intended social and economic benefits. Also, climate change is creating additional uncertainty and risks for development in DRC. Improved climate modelling and forecasting capacity would therefore strengthen the Government’s adaptation capacity. Financing from the Least Developed Countries Fund for Adaptation (LDCF) will be suitable for these activities under Component B.

Component C. Improvement of hydro-met information service delivery. Component C will focus on the delivery of more accurate, timely and relevant information to users and decision-makers. Through pilots and tailored information for target audience, the hydro-met agencies would trial, modify and develop appropriate format and timing of hydro-met information – especially for river-transportation agencies, hydropower operators, disaster reduction and civil protection agencies, farmers and agricultural actors, aviation, the media and public. The expected outcomes include economic gains and prevention of losses, and importantly, improved adaptation capacity within sectors having to adapt to the negative impacts of climate change and variability. Therefore, LDCF would suitably finance these adaptation-activities under Component C; reflecting the value added provided in improving adaptive capacity in sectors such as navigation/river- transport, water resources management and hydropower, among others.

Co-financing with the Least Developed Countries Fund (LDCF). Under the framework of the UNFCC, the LDCF was established recognising that LDCs do not have the means to deal with problems associated with adaptation to climate change. In COP7 (2001), an LDC-work programme was agreed that specifically included: “Strengthening of the capacity of meteorological and hydrological services to collect, analyse, interpret and disseminate weather and climate information to support implementation of NAPAs [National Adaptation Programmes of

Public Disclosure Copy Action]”. The NAPA for DRC was completed in 2006 and prioritises strengthening the national meteorological services, management of reservoirs and navigable waterways as options for adaptation. The added value of the LDCF funds will specifically be achieved through improving the implementing agencies’ technical and human capacity to model and forecast water, weather and climate change. With the knowledge gained from better climate foresight, these agencies can provide information that can increase the adaptation capacity in key economic and social sectors – thereby adding value to baseline investments (e.g., for hydropower or river-transport). The LDCF support would be complimentary to the IDA baseline project that focus resources on the human and infrastructure resources needed to modernise the hydro-met services, and in addition coordinated alongside efforts of other donors such as EU and WMO (planning expansion of the HYCOS system to the Congo River Basin). The proposed Project would also be coordinated with other approved LDCF-financed projects in DRC where shared knowledge can be explored. These include (UNDP as Implementing Agency): Building the capacity of the agriculture sector to plan for and respond to the additional threats posed by climate change on food production and security (US$3.4m);

Page 5 of 8 Building the resilience and ability to adapt of women and children to changing climate (US$5.3); and, Resilience of Muanda’s communities from coastal erosion (US$6.0). Sustainability is a challenge to hydro-met services globally and presents risks to both the LDCF and IDA investments. To mitigate these risks, the proposed Project is intended as a long-term engagement (possibly through a series of projects). Also, attention will be given to: optimal use of hydro-met equipment that can be maintained; long-term programme for consolidating institutional, human and ICT capacity for modelling, forecasting and decision support systems; and, developing solutions to avoid the financial voids hindering hydro-met services. Finally, greater public participation will help improve the hydro-met services; for example, tailoring forecasts to media or providing timely and

Public Disclosure Copy understandable information to vulnerable communities in times of severe weather events.

Integrating new initiatives and opportunities. During preparation, the design of the Project will explore ways in which new opportunities can be best integrated either as part of the above components or additional. These include:

• Creation of a National Framework for Climate Services (NFCS). Through the WMO, the concept of the Global Framework of Climate Services (GFCS) was recently adopted. The GFCS rests on the development of NFCS at country-level, as an important step to improve global standards, quality and collaboration among hydro-met services.

• Strengthened partnerships with international and regional hydro-met programs. The proposed Project would support DRC in benefitting from regional and global programs: the Africa Monitoring of the Environment for Sustainable Development in SADC (AMESD), Congo- Hydrological Observation System (HYCOS), the Meteorological Association of Southern Africa (MASA), African Centre of Meteorological Applications for Development (ACMAD), and Climate Prediction and Application Center of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development.

• Satellite and remote sensing resources. For the past three decades, remote sensing has developed into a crucial resource for data-collecting and forecasting. Not only does satellites offer additional sources of data (complementary to in-situ data), but with better spatial coverage and distributed measurements. In the next ten years, a number of satellite missions are planned by agencies such as the European Space Agency and NASA that will provide even greater capabilities (e.g., NASA’s CNES SWOT mission 2019 and the ESA’s Meteosat Third Generation in 2020). Because of the complex limitations facing the hydro-met agencies in DRC, the proposed Project

Public Disclosure Copy will allocate specific resources on building their capacity to access, understand and make use of the remotely sensed data. The range of relevant uses include: water storage (large river basin hydrological processes), optimising river-gauge stations (altimetry to measure river dynamics where in situ data is not available and assessing the value of such locations), wetlands (dynamics of seasonally flooded wetland that are poorly quantified), navigation (observation and anticipation of river conditions by monitoring spatial dynamics of water levels, discharge and timing of low waters), hydropower (discharge measurement, monitoring of seasonal and inter-annual variation of reservoir storage), flood risk mapping (combining precipitation forecasts with digital elevation models), and severe weather warnings (analysis of extreme events build-up, rainfall structure, storm, cyclones and lightning tracking) and much more.

IV. Safeguard Policies that might apply Safeguard Policies Triggered by the Project Yes No TBD

Page 6 of 8 Environmental Assessment OP/BP 4.01 ✖ Natural Habitats OP/BP 4.04 ✖ Forests OP/BP 4.36 ✖ Pest Management OP 4.09 ✖ Physical Cultural Resources OP/BP 4.11 ✖ Indigenous Peoples OP/BP 4.10 ✖ Involuntary Resettlement OP/BP 4.12 ✖

Public Disclosure Copy Safety of Dams OP/BP 4.37 ✖ Projects on International Waterways OP/BP 7.50 ✖ Projects in Disputed Areas OP/BP 7.60 ✖

V. Financing (in USD Million) Total Project Cost: 45.00 Total Bank Financing: 0.00 Total Cofinancing: Financing Gap: 39.00 Financing Source Amount BORROWER/RECIPIENT 0.00 IDA Grant 0.00 GEF Secretariat as Implementing Agency 6.00 Total 6.00

VI. Contact point World Bank Contact: Louise E. M. Croneborg Title: Water Resources Mgmt. Spec. Tel: 473-1310 Email: [email protected]

Borrower/Client/Recipient

Public Disclosure Copy Name: Ministry Of Finances Contact: Title: Tel: Email: Implementing Agencies Name: Ministry of Transport and Communication Channels Contact: Justin Kalumba Mwana Ngongo Title: Minister Tel:

Page 7 of 8 Email: Name: MettelSat (National Agency of Meteorology and Remote Sensing by Satellite) Contact: Jean Pierre Mpundu Elonga Title: Chief Executive Officer Tel: Email:

VII. For more information contact: Public Disclosure Copy The InfoShop The World Bank 1818 H Street, NW Washington, D.C. 20433 Telephone: (202) 458-4500 Fax: (202) 522-1500 Web: http://www.worldbank.org/infoshop Public Disclosure Copy

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