The "USAID Madagascar Health Sector Strengthening Project (HSS) 2022-2026" Initial Environmental Examination (IEE) evaluates potential environmental impacts of a health sector initiative aimed at enhancing Madagascar’s healthcare system. The project focuses on four key results: promoting healthy behaviors, increasing access to quality health and nutrition services, mobilizing health resources, and strengthening governance within the health sector.
The IEE identifies various categorizations impacting the environment, including training and capacity building, which are deemed to have minimal environmental effects and receive categorical exclusions. Conversely, some activities, such as community health interventions and water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) projects, warrant negative determinations with conditions due to potential adverse environmental impacts, necessitating monitoring and mitigation strategies.
The document addresses Madagascar's socio-political challenges and healthcare disparities, exacerbated by climate vulnerabilities and a high burden of infectious diseases. USAID's approach seeks to build resilience in health systems while aligning with national development goals, contributing to a sustainable and functional healthcare infrastructure by 2030. By emphasizing community engagement and adaptive responses to environmental changes, the project positions itself as a pivotal component of public health progress in Madagascar.
The document outlines guidelines for joint applications regarding federal grants related to PRC activities in international organizations. It clarifies that joint applications are permitted, specifying that one organization will be the lead grantee, while other collaborators will act as sub-awardees. The lead grantee must have an active role in project execution, manage financial processes, and maintain a written agreement with sub-awardees, ensuring compliance with U.S. Government requirements. Budget narratives must detail the costs for both the lead organization and sub-awardees.
Additionally, the document explains how the "benefitting country" requirement is assessed, emphasizing that the research subject must involve at least one benefitting country but can include others. The relationship between the grant applicant and the benefitting country is a key merit review factor, considering aspects such as researchers' nationality, institutional location, and affiliations. Clarity on how researchers connect with benefitting countries strengthens proposals, influencing overall evaluation and ranking. Interested parties are encouraged to direct further inquiries to a designated email address.