The Request claims that community members are being harmed by the World Bank-supported Vietnam Coastal Cities Sustainable Environment Project. The Request raises four inter-related concerns about different aspects of the Project’s involuntary resettlement process. First, the Request considers that the communications community members are receiving from the Bank and the Provincial Authorities concerning the use of their land by the Project is creating uncertainty about their land-use rights. Second, the Request disputes the valuation methodology and compensation packages, claiming they fall short of what some of the affected households should receive from the Project. Third, the Request alleges an inconsistency in the application of resettlement policies. Fourth, the Request claims that some of the Requesters were excluded from the resettlement process for having complained about certain aspects of the Project.
This is the second Request concerning this Project; a first request was received on December 27, 2022, which the Panel did not register. For the current Request, the Panel conducted its initial due diligence and verified that it meets the admissibility criteria for registration. The Panel considers that the following areas of alleged harm could be plausibly linked to the Project and alleged violations of Bank policies: (i) the allegation of uncertainty stemming from the communication concerning the use of the affected households’ land; (ii) the allegation of inadequate valuation methodology and compensation packages; (iii) the allegation of unfair treatment as a result of resettlement policies allegedly inconsistently applied; and, (iv) the allegation that some households were excluded from the Project’s resettlement process.
On September 25, 2023, the Panel registered the Request and issued a Notice of Registration. The Panel’s registration implies no judgment whatsoever concerning the merits of the Request. As a next step in the Panel’s resolution, Bank Management must provide the Panel with a response to the issues raised in the Request for Inspection within 21 business days of registration, i.e., by October 25, 2023.
