Ecosystem-based Disaster Risk Reduction
UNEP works to promote environment as a disaster risk reduction solution - promoting ecosystem-based approaches such as river basin management, coastal zone management and protected area management as a means to reduce disaster risk and build resilience of vulnerable communities and countries.
In Latin America and the Caribbean, several projects are carried out in particular in Colombia, Haiti and Guatemala to promote Ecosystem-based Disaster Risk Reduction (Eco-DRR), through large-scale field implementation, capacity development and institutional mainstreaming. The goal is to enhance resilience of communities and countries to disasters (including from climate risks) through the scaling up of Eco-DRR implementation, to reach 500.000 vulnerable people by 2021.
In Colombia, the project "Improving community-based resilience through ecosystem-based disaster risk reduction" aims at promoting the adoption of Eco-DRR at the global and regional levels, by developing different models to demonstrate success of large-scale implementation of Eco-DRR approaches. Regional and national workshops have been organized as well as an international seminar in 2019.
In Haiti, UNEP is working to strengthen Government and local communities' capacities to restore natural protection barriers and protect populations and their livelihoods. A pilot demonstration project on Eco-DRR was carried out to reduce disaster risks in the Municipality of Port Salut through a landscape approach from 2013 to 2016. Since 2017, three projects are now implemented with the Ministry of Environment of Haiti (MDE), Civil Protection Directorate (DPC) and Haitian NGOs, as well as the Netherlands Red Cross. As part of ecosystem-based adaptation and eco-DRR activities, UNEP has been promoting the establishment of new Protected Areas in the South accounting for more than 50% of Protected Areas across the country
In Guatemala, Opportunity Mapping is used to promote Eco-DRR through visual mapping and catalyse Eco-DRR collaborations at the national and local levels. The Eco-DRR Opportunity Mapping tool is a GIS-based mapping tool and platform which overlays geospatial data on hazard profiles, population exposures to different hazards and different types and geographic coverage of ecosystems. The aim is to facilitate national level awareness of Eco-DRR and identify entry points for developing new national initiatives using ecosystem-based solutions for disaster risk reduction.
Environment and human mobility
There is growing evidence showing that environmental factors can influence human mobility globally. Environmental factors can contribute to people’s decision to leave home. They can also underpin local insecurity which in turn may make it necessary to flee. On the other hand, human mobility and the humanitarian response to the needs of people on the move also have environmental impacts, which are often overlooked and not prevented.
UNEP has been working with other agencies to enhance the knowledge of environmental drivers and impacts of human mobility. UNEP also works with agencies responding to the needs al of people on the move, to help them consider environmental factors in their activities and reduce their environmental footprint.
In Guatemala, UNEP has partnered with the International Organisation on Migration in a project to raise awareness of the environmental impacts of migration and displacement, as well as the impacts of the humanitarian response to the needs of people on the move.
In Colombia and Brazil, UNEP is participating in the Response for Venezuelans (R4V) regional platform and developing projects in these two countries to mainstream the environment in the humanitarian response to Venezuelan refugee movements.
Risk reduction for industrial accidents
Industrial accidents are accidents involving hazardous substances at commercial private or public enterprises. They can cause severe environmental damage as well as loss of human lives and property. Reducing the risk of such events and preparing in case of their occurrence is essential in order to protect and reduce impacts on human health and the environment, and to allow a more effective response and recovery. The APELL project - "Awareness and Preparedness for Emergencies at Local Level" - developed by UNEP supports national governments in strengthening their policies and regulatory frameworks, as well as local authorities, communities and industries to collaborate in a process of risk reduction for technological disasters and environmental emergencies.
In Colombia, a pilot project was developed to reduce risks around environmental emergencies linked to informal artisanal mining in Chocó.
