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Environment and Humanitarian Action Briefing 12 June 2013 joint Environment House, Geneva, Switzerland Joint UNEP/OCHA Environment Unit OCHA Emergency Services Branch Geneva, Switzerland

Agenda Opening ; Niels Scott Chief, Humanitarian Coordination Support Section 1. Setting the scene: Environment and Humanitarian Action by OCHA Wendy Cue, JEU 14:00-14:30 2. ICRC Sustainable Development Framework: a whole of organisation approach Alain 14:30-15.30 3. Integration of Environment in Humanitarian Action, training Blanche Renaudin, Groupe URD, 15:30-16:00 Coffee break/refreshment , 16.00-16.15 4. Environmental Marker, tool to integrate environment in humanitarian action Altan Butt, UNEP Sudan 16:15-16:30 (Sudan) 5. Learning from the Green Recovery and Reconstruction: Training Toolkit for Humanitarian Aid Anita Van Breda, WWF 16:30 to 17:00 (USA) 6. Q and A 17:00-17:30

Environmental Emergencies At Environmental and Humanitarian joint Crossroads Wendy Cue Chief of Section Joint UNEP/OCHA Environment Unit OCHA Emergency Services Branch Geneva, Switzerland

Environmental Emergencies “ An environmental emergency is defined as a sudden onset disaster or accident resulting from natural, technological or human-induced factors, or a combination of these, that cause or threaten to cause severe environmental damage as well as harm to human health and/or livelihoods. ” UNEP Governing Council, 13 November 2002

Joint UNEP/OCHA Environment Unit Technical expertise + Humanitarian coordination = Prepared Response

Priorities RESPONSE PREPAREDNESS ENVIRONMENT IN HUMANITARIAN ACTION

Environment in Humanitarian Action Integration of environmental considerations across the whole humanitarian programmatic cycle Country-specific support Update of guidance and input of key environmental elements Raise awareness Establish an Environmental Network

Improving existing humanitarian tools Review of existing tools and documents (2011/2013) • CAP guidelines 2013 revised • Integration of environment into UNDAC training • Review of 2012 and 2013 CAPs (including MYR 2013) recommendations provided to the HCT (through UNEP/OCHA) • MIRA tools/operational guidance reviewed and comments provided to CASS for inclusion

Joint JEU/ UNHCR Scoping Mission Juba, South Sudan Joint mission with UNHCR to evaluate the impacts of establishing refugee camps on the surrounding environment South Sudan 2012 • Rapid environmental assessment mission • Identified negative impacts associated with refugee operations, and the effect on livelihoods of the host and wider community • Environmental degradation and causes of conflict

Conduct field assessments to support an evidence- based approach Environmental and Social Impact Assessment of Rwamwanja Refugee Settlement, Uganda (November/December 2012) The JEU deployed (through the SDC) two environmental experts to work with UNHCR and IUCN to undertake an Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA). Initials findings: challenges between host and refugee population, risk of poaching in the adjacent National Katonga Game Reserve, the use of wood for fuel, cash (charcoal) and construction materials and uncertainty regarding ground water depletion

Building Capacity of Humanitarian Actors EEC Training module: “Environment in Humanitarian Action” Available in English, 3-hour module Environment in Humanitarian Action is a module developed to better integrate environmental considerations into humanitarian action.

Creating Surge Capacity Development of a dedicated environmental advisory surge capacity In March 2013, the new profile of Environmental Field Advisor was added to the Stand-By Partnership Programme.

Way Forward…. The UNEP/OCHA Joint Environment Unit (JEU) has taken on the role of advancing environment in humanitarian action since end 2011 1. UNEP and OCHA have agreed to jointly raise resources to implement the agreed strategy. 2. An (loose) environmental reference group, coordinated by the JEU, has been established and agreed upon critical elements in humanitarian response. 3. Develop country-specific environmental action plans with focus on large emergencies where environment is a critical factor in vulnerability and conflict.

Outcomes and follow up on Advisory Group on Environmental Emergencies Forum Biennial Global Forum May 15-17, 2013, Geneva • Advocacy • Awareness Raising • Global Partnerships More than100 policy makers, environmental experts and disaster managers from across the world

Outcomes of Advisory Group on Environmental Emergencies Forum AGEE Forum agreed to embed environmental emergencies in the comprehensive DRM Frameworks The environmental emergencies To support regionally and centre (EEC) was launched during the nationally led capacity Forum. development initiatives to improve preparedness for The EEC (eecentre.org) is an interactive online knowledge hub environmental emergencies, aimed at strengthening preparedness enhance response and response to environmental mechanisms by providing emergencies. resources through OCHA and UNEP. Establish an Environment Reference group

Environmental Emergencies Centre Online preparedness tool designed to strengthen the capacity of vulnerable countries to environmental emergencies www.eecentre.org Prepare, build capacity & raise awareness Tools, guidelines & training Networks

Training The JEU develops introductory and advanced trainings on a variety of environmental emergency preparedness and response topics Workshops and trainings EEC eLearning modules eLearning modules available at www.eecentre.org

joint www.unocha.org/unep