Field-based assessments of the environmental impacts of crises on human health, livelihoods and security form the core of UNEP’s conflict and disaster management operations.
Following a crisis, UNEP can provide assistance in a number of ways.
Rapid response
Through its Joint Environment Unit with the Office for the Coordination for Humanitarian Affairs, UN Environment mobilizes and coordinates the international emergency response and identification of acute environmental risks caused by conflicts, disasters and industrial accidents, mobilising their Flash Environmental Assessment Tool (FEAT). In an emergency situation the JEU will send out a request for an expert who can be mobilised immediately to respond on the ground.
Post-crisis needs assessments
UN Environment works with the EC, World Bank and other UN entities to complete Post-Disaster Needs Assessments (PDNA). These look at identifying the key issues present on the ground and costing them, rather than being a systematic assessment of all the environmental consequences. The PDNA is initiated through the UN/ World Bank and is fundraised, although is free for the country.
Post-crisis environmental assessments
Upon request from national governments, UN Environment is available to conduct detailed post-crisis environmental assessments based on in-depth fieldwork, laboratory analysis and state-of-the-art technology. These assessments identify major environmental risks to health, livelihoods and security and provide recommendations to national authorities on how to address them.
Since 1999, UNEP has conducted post-crisis environmental assessments in countries and regions including the Balkans, Afghanistan, the occupied Palestinian territories, Lebanon, Sudan, Ukraine, Nigeria and DR Congo, as well as the countries affected by the Indian Ocean tsunami of 2004 and other major disasters.
Other: Depleted Uranium
Depleted uranium (DU) is the main by-product of uranium enrichment and is a chemically and radiologically toxic heavy metal; it is mildly radioactive, with about 60% of the activity of natural uranium. This dense metal is used in munitions for its penetrating ability and as a protective material in armoured vehicles. The health effects resulting from DU exposure depend on the route and magnitude of exposure and the characteristics of the DU, such as particle size, chemical form and solubility.
From 1999 to 2003, UNEP conducted environmental assessments and measurements on targeted Depleted Uranium sites in Kosovo*, Serbia and Montenegro, and Bosnia and Herzegovina. More recently, based on the findings of the UNEP Desk Study on the Environment in Iraq, UNEP initiated a DU project in Iraq. Read more about UNEP's work on Depleted Uranium (DU).
*References to Kosovo shall be understood to be in the context of UN Resolution 1244 (1999)
