Today's date: Tuesday,
29 November 2005
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Working for People
and the Environment
The majority of the
world’s refugees are found in marginal regions of poor,
developing countries. Here, the "footprint" or environmental
impact of their activities is often of great magnitude and
long duration. Collecting shelter materials and firewood can
cause serious deforestation and soil erosion. Natural
resources are threatened by the sudden arrival of large
numbers of people. In extreme cases, this can happen almost
overnight.
Although environmental concerns have taken a back seat to
humanitarian needs at such times of crises, the close links
between the well-being of human populations and a healthy
environment are being increasingly recognised.
Working with refugee populations and local communities,
UNHCR and partner organisations seek to minimise the
environmental impacts of refugee operations. Innovative,
alternative solutions are being developed through which
refugee populations become more closely involved with
environmental management and rehabilitation. Valuable lessons
are constantly being learned and applied to UNHCR’s operations
worldwide.
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Environmental
Concerns During Refugee Operations
UNHCR
recognises three main phases of assistance to refugees -
"emergency", "care and maintenance" and "durable solutions" -
each of which requires specific attention. Environmental
pressures too will differ between these stages, as well as
from one situation to another.
Monitoring
and Evaluation
UNHCR’s field
operations rely on having access to accurate, up-to-date
information. An Environmental Monitoring System was
established within the Environment Unit in 1995 to provide
this service, specifically to monitor and assess environmental
activities and operations in the field.
EESS
Occasional Papers
Series of papers on key
environmental issues.
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Newsletter:
"Environment in UNHCR"
Newsletter of the UNHCR
Engineering & Environmental Services Section.
Field
Projects: Past and Present
UNHCR’s
environment-related field projects are intended to minimise
the negative impacts which large concentrations of people can
have on fragile habitats. Many issues are addressed in these
projects, the nature of which varies from one situation to
another according to local circumstances and needs.
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UNHCR
Handbooks
These 2002 publications
are intended to serve as a source of information and reference
on environmental practices and approaches in refugee
operations.
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Publications.jpg)
UNHCR Environmental
Guidelines