[August 13, 2025] – Global Affairs Canada must determine whether the proposed project: Increase Gains in Nutrition by Integration, Education, Evaluation and Empowerment (IGNIT3) in Malawi and Ghana 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 can be sent by Sepbember 12, 2025 to :

Environment Specialists

Global Affairs Canada

200 Promenade du Portage
Gatineau (QC) J8X 4B7
Email: CommentsIAARegistry-CommentairesRegistreLEI@international.gc.ca

 

The Proposed Project

The project aims to improve nutrition for the poorest and most marginalized in Ghana and in Malawi, especially women, adolescent girls, and children. In all three countries, women, adolescent girls and children represent a disproportionate number impacted by  malnutrition due to various biological and socio-cultural factors, including poverty, gender inequality, and community norms. The project expects to deliver targeted, integrated nutrition, health, and water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) programming to build sustainable institutional capacity across the continuum of care and improve nutrition within vulnerable communities.

All physical works will take place on land that has existing health care facilities (HCF) with well defined boundaries. None of these sites  are near a water body.

Physical works include:

The construction of single chamber incinerators (one at each HCF) with a fenced in ash and placenta pit. Waste generation volumes will be assessed to determine appropriate incinerator capacity, typically ranging from 50–100 kg/hr for small to medium HCFs. The project aims to accommodate waste from approximately 5–7 community health posts (CHPs), generating around 50–100 kg/week each. Filters and scrubbers will be installed to capture particulate matter and neutralize harmful gases, in compliance with Malawian environmental regulations. Chimneys will be designed to ensure effective dispersion of emissions. Incinerator sites will be equipped with fire extinguishers, emergency exits, and fire-resistant materials to safeguard personnel and surrounding infrastructure.

Rehabilitation of the water supply network including the installation of a new solar-powered pumping system and the construction of a 10,000-litre storage tank platform to provide a 48-hour water supply capacity.

1. of improved pit latrines and sanitation blocks for men and women as well as bathrooms for female patients in each HCFs maternity wing complete with lockable doors to ensure privacy and security. These will be designed to enhance natural vendilation and adequate lighting and will include multiple handwashing stations. The new sanitation blocks will be constructed with a pit depth of at least 2 meters (6 feet) above groundwater level, and a minimum horizontal distance of 30 meters (98 feet) between the pit and a water source in order to avoid contamination. Sludge will be managed according to a specific maintenance schedule.