The implementation of the project will lead to land acquisition and resettlement anticipated in connection with rehabilitation works associated with the Bustan Canal and secondary canals. The project activities are expected to affect more than 400 hectares of agricultural land, some access roads, and residential and small commercial properties. It is estimated that the project will affect approximately 83 properties.

A Resettlement Action Plan (RAP) was prepared for the resettlement associated with the construction of the Bustan Canal. Additional land and properties are likely to be affected once the designs of the secondary canals have been finalized, which is expected in the third year of project implementation. In view of future resettlement needs associated with the secondary canals, the Government also prepared a Resettlement Policy Framework (RFP).

Under the assignment, DEEX provided services for updating, monitoring and implementing RAPs during construction works. The assignment also included stakeholder meetings to support implementation of the Environmental and Social Management Framework (ESMF) in further projects, preparation of an effective grievance redress mechanism, public disclosure meetings, and translation of safeguards documents from English into Russian and Uzbek.