2011
AMBATOVY SUSTAINABILITY REPORT
41
Cultural Preservation
Ambatovy implemented a cultural preservation program, in
accordance with IFC Performance Standard 8 on Cultural
Heritage. The goal of this program is to ensure that
archaeological artifacts and remains found during construction
are handled respectfully and in accordance with local
customs and scientific procedures. Over 4,250 articles were
found during construction and are in the process of being
catalogued. In the last year, our archaeology group focused
on completing the cataloguing process of the artifacts found
throughout the pre-construction and construction surveys.
We are currently preparing the artifacts for handover to
universities in Toamasina and Antananarivo.
Community Development
Our impact on communities is not limited to construction
effects so we have put in place community development
programs to ensure people living around our sites benefit
as our neighbours. The community development programs
are divided into three main areas: health, education and
livelihoods. Each one has strategic objectives aligned with
best practices and IFC performance standards.
Community Health Program
Ambatovy is committed to working closely with local
communities on issues of health and safety. We have
implemented a number of programs, most notably the
HIV/AIDS awareness campaign, to target specific health
concerns in the areas where we work.
HIV/AIDS Campaign
An important community health objective for Ambatovy is to
contribute to maintaining the national HIV/AIDS prevalence
average of less than 1% in areas around our sites. The
campaign, which was initiated in 2010, aims to prevent the
transmission of HIV through a four-pronged approach based
on education, access to condoms, voluntary testing and
monitoring campaign results. It is closely tied to our Zero
Tolerance Campaign, which promotes our policy against child
sexual exploitation. For further information see our section on
the Zero Tolerance Campaign.
Social Performance
