Second AF for the Ethiopia Covid-19 Emergency Response Project

active

The costs of the existing components 1,2, 3, 4, and 5 will be revised. In addition, the AF will extend the project closing date by twelve months from December 31, 2023 to December 31, 2024, to accommodate implementation of the additional activities.Component 1.Medical Supplies and Equipment [current allocation US$ 171.8 million; proposed 2nd AF allocation US$ US$125.5 million]Continuation: The implementation of the activities from the parent project and the previous AFs will continue without any changes. The project will continue to finance (i) procurement of vaccines for priority groups defined in the first AF; (ii) vaccination supplies needed for activities outlined in the Vaccine Delivery and Distribution Manual including diluents, syringes, and medical supplies associated with the vaccination response; (iii) climate-friendly cold chain inputs, including LED lamps and refrigerators, (iv) maintenance of existing cold chain equipment; (vii) infection prevention and waste management; and (v) Project COVID-19 vaccine storage and transportation.Change: Under this component, the project will finance: (i) the procurement of COVID19 Vaccine doses to cover additional 14% of the population (6% additional COVID19 vaccines doses are projected to be supplied by the COVAX and other bilateral donations) and contribute to reach to governments ambition to reach 40% COVID19 vaccination coverage in 2022; (ii) Procurement of vaccination supplies needed to vaccinate the additional 20% of the population such as diluents, syringes, and all medical supplies associated with the vaccination response; (iii) infection prevention and waste management; (iv) vaccine storage and transportation, , inclusive of purchases of climate friendly cold chain equipment and; (v) hospital ICU and critical care management capacity. These frontline health workers will be expected to conduct house-to-house visits under the project and hence the project will procure additional PPEs in adequate supply designed specifically for female health workers and volunteers. Component 2. Preparedness, Capacity Building and Training [current allocation US$85.4 million; proposed 2nd AF allocation US$27]Continuation: The implementation of the activities from the parent project and the previous AF will continue without any changes. These include: (i) Operating costs; (ii) deployment of health professionals and training on surveillance, supply chain, and emergency preparedness for climate hazards; (iii) development of micro-level Project COVID-19 Vaccine deployment plans at national and sub national levels; (iv) supervision on project COVID-19 vaccine safety and Adverse Event Following Immunization (AEFI) monitoring for regulators and EPI officers; and (v) strengthening of regional AEFI investigation task force and support for AEFI case investigations.Change: Under this component, the project will finance activities to scale up: (i) deployment of health professionals, including health extension workers, to deliver the additional doses procured through this AF; and training of health workers for deployment of Vaccines in conflict affected areas including IDP and refugee camps, including training on vaccine deployment during climate shocks; and (iii) development of micro-level COVID19 vaccine deployment plans at national and sub national levels including for conflict affected and security constrained areas and for those who live in IDPs and refugee camps. Climate-sensitive vaccine deployment plans will also be developed. Component 3. Community Discussions and Information Outreach [current allocation US$10.9 million; proposed AF allocation US$7.5 million]Continuation: The implementation of the activities from the parent project and the previous AF will continue without any changes. The project will continue to finance: (i) human resource capacity for risk communication, (ii) the development of social mobilization and community engagement strategies (using local languages) to increase vaccine acceptance and COVID- 19 prevention behaviors; and (iii) deployment of risk communication officers and other human resources to expand and accelerate vaccine deployment efforts.Change: Under this second AF, the project will finance activities to scale up: i) the development of social mobilization and community engagement strategies (using local languages) to increase vaccine acceptance and COVID- 19 prevention behaviors in conflict affected and security constrained areas including IDP and refugee camps. Messages to prevent transmission of climate-related infectious diseases, such as cholera and typhoid, will also be included and ii) monitor vaccine acceptance/hesitancy and understand its drivers.Component 4. Quarantine, Isolation and Treatment Centers and regulatory infrastructure [current allocation US$ 14.23 million; proposed AF allocation US$ 41 million]Continuation: The implementation of the activities from the parent project and the previous AF will continue without any changes. The project will continue to provide funds for the rehabilitation of existing facilities and setting up temporary structures, establishes and equips quarantine, isolation, and treatment centers, provision of nutrition and dignity kits.Change: The AF will finance the procurement and distribution of COVID19 Intensive Care Unit (ICU) supplies including hospital medical equipment’s such mechanical ventilators and supplies; and establish regional oxygen plants in selected hospitals, procurement criteria will be used to ensure purchases are both clinically effective and energy efficient; and ii) climate sensitive refurbishment and renovation of vaccine stores and vaccination rooms in conflict affected areas in the country.Component 5. Project Implementation and Monitoring [current allocation US$ 3 million; proposed AF allocation US$ 5.0 million]Continuation: The implementation of the activities from the parent project and the previous AF will continue without any changes. The project will continue to support activities related to: (i) procurement, financial management, environmental and social safeguards, monitoring and evaluation, and reporting at the PIU level; (ii) recruitment and Training of Grants Management Unit and EPHI staff and technical consultants; and (iii) operating costs specifically for the project staff under the Grant Management Unit (GMU) and COVID-19 hazard pay /risk allowance for staffs who are involved in COVID-19 response at different levels. Change: Under the second AF, the project will provide funds to support i) the operating costs of mobilizing additional short-term consultants who support vaccine deployment; and ii) finance additional operating costs to strengthen the existing GMUs. Monitoring of climate-related activities will be included in this component.