Emergency Assistance for Wenchuan Earthquake Reconstruction Project

The project engagement of external monitors in both Sichuan and Shaanxi enabled timely response to any involuntary resettlement impact during project construction and ensured full compensation and income restoration of affected villages. The emergency loan adopted a framework approach for resettlement safeguard management, i.e., a resettlement framework was prepared during loan processing, and during implementation detailed resettlement plans were prepared for all subprojects with adverse impacts. In general, this approach worked well for the emergency project with minor to moderate resettlement impacts to achieve streamlined loan processing. The environmental management practices during construction were implemented well by contractors and public participation was solicited effectively with public awareness campaigns on environmental protection and public health and well integrated with operations and maintenance of completed roads and education facilities. This approach facilitated project implementation and in the future can be adopted taking into account the emergency nature of components.