Gatineau – July 3rd, 2025 – Global Affairs Canada has determined that the proposed Rehabilitation of water and sanitation infrastructures in four Health facilities, including the construction of incinerators in East Ukraine is not likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects. 

This determination was based on a consideration of the following factors: 

• community knowledge; 

• comments received from the public; and 

• technically and economically feasible mitigation measures. 

Mitigation measures taken into account for this determination are:  

1.Resource-saving measures, including: 

• Using energy-efficient, modern materials and technologies. 

• Ensuring optimal operating modes for construction equipment to limit energy use. 

• Preserving and rationally using the soil's vegetative layer, with layered removal of soil to prevent mixing. 

2. Protective measures, including: 

• Strict adherence to the designated boundaries of construction work areas and the installation of necessary fences around the construction site. 

• Used oil is prohibited from being disposed of directly onto the ground; instead, it must be collected in specialized containers for regeneration.  

• Construction machinery and equipment with the lowest possible specific ground pressure are used to minimize soil disturbance, while machinery operation is optimized to reduce the toxicity of exhaust gases.  

• Land contamination is prevented by storing inert materials, such as gravel and sand, in designated areas.  

• To minimize cumulative environmental impacts, construction equipment is operated in a staggered manner to reduce pollutants and noise.  

• Factory-standard products with guaranteed reliability are used to minimize the risk of accidents.  

• Noise suppressors are installed on ventilation systems to reduce noise levels, and fire safety measures are implemented to prevent fires, ensure safety, and mitigate potential environmental impacts.  

• Only equipment, construction, and finishing materials that have passed state sanitary-epidemiological examinations are used, and all materials are verified for compliance with radiation safety standards. 

3. Planning measures, including: 

• Organization of terrain relief, ensuring proper longitudinal and transverse slopes for roads, sites, and sidewalks. Surface water is drained away from these areas to lower terrain locations. 

4. Restoration measures, including: 

• Restore landscaping areas disturbed during construction. 

• Monitor the environmental condition during the operation of the designed facility. 

The proposed interventions no longer include the construction or installation of any incinerator in target health facilities. Medical waste being generated at the target health facilities is managed according to Ukraine national regulations and existing institutional protocols, including on-site segregation, safe storage, transportation and disposal through authorized waste management services company. 

Global Affairs Canada is satisfied that that the carrying out of the project is not likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects. 

Therefore, the International Medical Corps (IMC) may carry out the project, exercise any power, perform any duty or function, or provide financial assistance to enable the project to be carried out in whole or in part.