Public Notice

Protection, WASH and Shelter for IDPs, Returnees in Amhara, Ethiopia – Public Comments Invited

June 13, 2025 – Global Affairs Canada must determine whether the proposed Protection, WASH and Shelter for IDPs, Returnees, located in Amhara, Ethiopia is likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects.

To help inform this determination, Global Affairs Canada is inviting comments from the public respecting that determination. All comments received will be considered public and may be posted online.

Written comments must be submitted by July 14, 2025 to:

Environment Specialists 

Global Affairs Canada 

200 Promenade du Portage
Gatineau (QC) J8X 4B7

Email:?CommentsIAARegistry-CommentairesRegistreLEI@international.gc.ca

 

The Proposed Project

• Description of physical activities to be done

The major activities include:

• Solar System Upgrade: The project involves upgrading six motorized water schemes through the supply and installation of solar panels, pumps, and related accessories. However, pipeline extensions will only be carried out for three of these motorized systems.
• Pipeline Extension: In three targeted areas, a total of 4,500 meters (1,500 meters each) of HDPE water pipeline will be extended to improve water access.
• Rehabilitation and Construction of Water Schemes: A total of 48 water schemes will be rehabilitated or constructed. This includes spring and hand pump systems. For springs, activities include the construction/rehabilitation of storage tanks, distribution points, cattle troughs, pipe installations, and spring capping. For hand-dug wells, work involves well rehabilitation/cleaning, supply and installation of Afridev hand pumps, and construction/rehabilitation of wellhead structures.
• Construction of Sanitation Facilities: This component includes the rehabilitation or construction of communal latrines and solid waste disposal pits at targeted health facilities (health centers and health posts). Based on identified needs, sanitation facilities will also be constructed in public areas with high concentrations of internally displaced persons (IDPs) to significantly reduce open defecation.

 

• Description of structures

The structures comprise the following:

• Solar system: that includes solar panel, invertors, solar pumps, axillary structures(fencing) and accessories
• Pipeline installation: which includes earth works ,supply and installation of HDPE pipes
• Spring development: which includes civil works-capping structure, night storage, washing basin, cattle trough and pipe installations
• Hand pump structures: which includes civil works-well head, drainage structures and supply and installation of pump units.

 

• Authority required action (eg., Providing permit(s), funding, etc.)

• LWF has signed MOU with government authorities and therefore no further permission is required.

 

Summary

Funded by the Canadian government through Global Affairs Canada (GAC), this project aims to address humanitarian needs of vulnerable individuals in Amhara, Ethiopia through the provision of life-saving activities and services including emergency water, sanitation, protection, and shelter.

Description of Activities

The proposed activity is working in locations in Amhara, Ethiopia experiencing acute water shortages due to damage of existing water sources and ongoing conflict. As a result of the conflict, an average of 44% of water supply systems in the targeted zones are non-functional. The project will rehabilitate a 4,500 m high-density polyethylene pipeline extension for three motorized systems, which will provide water to distribution points in 3 towns. The Specific coordinates of the water pipeline activities are included above.

The activities will increase access to clean water for communities, reducing vulnerability and improving health and well-being for beneficiaries.

Description of Structures

• In Tsagbti Woreda, the project will install one pipeline measuring 1500 meters with an OD (outside diameter) of 3 inches. The type of pipeline to be installed is HDPE pipe with HDPE fittings to be blended with the existing riser pipe at the pumping station and reservoir inlet which is GI pipe. The depth of the trench ranges between 60cm-100cm depending on actual ground profile and pipe alignment. Pipe bedding and backfill will be carried out with selected materials with approved compaction.
• In Abergele Woreda, the project will install one pipeline measuring 800 metres at an OD of 3 inches and a second pipeline of 700 metres with an OD measuring 2 inches. The type of pipeline to be installed is HDPE pipe with HDPE fittings to be blended with the existing riser pipe at the pumping station and reservoir inlet which is GI pipe. The depth of the trench ranges between 60cm-100cm depending on actual ground profile and pipe alignment. Pipe bedding and backfill will be carried out with selected materials with approved compaction.
• In Bugna Woreda, the project will install one pipeline measuring 1500 metres with an OD of 110mm. The type of pipeline to be installed is HDPE pipe with HDPE fittings to be blended with the existing riser pipe at the pumping station and reservoir inlet which is GI pipe. The depth of the trench ranges between 60cm-100cm depending on actual ground profile and pipe alignment. Pipe bedding and backfill will be carried out with selected materials with approved compaction.

These pipelines will be connected to 3 motorized structures. The two pipelines to be installed at Tsagbji and Bugna are pressure main pipes that will be connected to the motorized structures/units. While the Abergele one is distribution main pipe that will be installed from the existing reservoir to the distribution points that aimed to improve the discharge, upgrade the accessibility of water.

Description of Environment and Site

The project will be implemented in the Amhara region, in northern Ethiopia, one of the most drought-prone and food-insecure areas of Ethiopia. The Amhara region suffers from recurrent droughts and pest invasions. Of the 105 woredas in the region, 48 are drought-prone and chronically food insecure, most of which are found in the two target zones of the region namely, Wag Himra and North Wollo. The climate is mainly semi-arid, and most of the region experiences scanty and erratic rainfall that remains insufficient for crop production. Recurrent droughts and famine were recorded nine times in the past 30 years, with minimal drinking water for humans and livestock. The scarcity of resources such as water and farmland for crop production is exacerbated by damage caused by the war and Desert Locusts.

Geographic coordinates

 

Name	Location	GPS Coordinates Format
Ethiopia	Tsagbji	Long: 39.2145 Lat: 12.7031
Ethiopia	Abergele	Long: 38.98265128 Lat:    13.04230369
Ethiopia	Bugna	Long: 38.84042998 Lat: 12.16547735