IASC Weekly meeting: Environment and Humanitarian Action
Geneva
Meeting Documents
1. Consequences of Natural Disasters: the Need to Manage Disaster Waste
Vladimir Sakharov, Chief of the Joint UNEP/OCHA Environment Unit, and Muralee Thummarukudy, Operations Manager of UNEP's Post Conflict and Disaster Management Branch, will brief on the need to manage disaster waste as a consequence of natural disasters. Their presentation will use examples from the outcomes of their mission to the disaster affected areas in the Tohoku region of Japan (29-30 May).
Background
All humanitarian organisations are faced with disaster waste management issues in each deployment. Some examples of disaster waste include the asbestos found in rubble after an earthquake, posing health issue to survivors and clean-up crews, and the medical and chemical waste from humanitarian response efforts. Mr. Sakharov and Mr. Thummarukudy participated in an expert group meeting hosted in Japan by the Asian Disaster Risk Reduction, the International Recovery Platform, and the Government of Japan. The objectives of this expert group meeting were to provide advice and expertise for the recovery and reconstruction efforts and future preparedness in Japan, and to gather lessons learned that may be useful for disaster risk reduction in other countries. The presenters will also refer to the new Disaster Waste Management Guidelines which were recently developed and published by UNEP/OCHA in partnership with the Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency. To enable humanitarian actors to mitigate these negative impacts, these guidelines are a compilation of all existing works on this subject. The Disaster Waste Management Guidelines should be integrated into every organisation’s operational response plans and become a part of their modus operandi.
2. Mainstreaming Environment in the Work of Clusters
Tom Delrue, Programme Officer, Post-Conflict and Disaster Management Branch, UNEP, will brief on key environmental consequences of humanitarian activities and on different initiatives to mitigate a negative environmental impact of humanitarian action. In his presentation, Tom will point out different initiatives to mainstream environment in the work of the clusters, notably trainings and workshops, an online resource platform as well as advocacy.
Background
Most humanitarian programmes and operations intersect in a variety of ways with environment, from shelter and protection to logistics and early recovery. UNEP works with humanitarian actors to build capacity and awareness to improve the way in which operations are carried out. More environmentally sound operations will ensure that both human welfare and environment are protected and preserved in response to a disaster or conflict. UNEP leads trainings, serves as the liaison with clusters and partner organizations regarding environmental issues, provides in-country expertise and facilitates policy and advocacy efforts at the headquarter level.
3. AOB