1. 1 Tools and Resources With a focus on REA

2. 2 In this session, we will… Identify the key tools and resources regarding environmental activities Describe the REA and its strengths and Identify appropriate situations for its application

3. 3 Some Tools and Resources Environmental Stewardship Review for Humanitarian Aid (WWF) ECLAC, Handbook for Estimating the Socio- economic and Environment Effects of Disasters UNEP, Environmental Needs Assessment in Post- Disaster Situations: A Practical Guide for Implementation Flash Environment Assessment Tool (FEAT) IUCN Ecosystems, Livelihoods and Disasters Guidelines on Camp Closure

4. 4 Some More Tools and Resources Rapid Environmental Impact Assessment in Disasters (REA) Framework for Assessing, Monitoring and Evaluating the Environment in Refugee-related Operations (FRAME) Emergency Shelter Environmental Impact Assessment and Action Checklist

5. 5 Environmental Stewardship Review for Humanitarian Aid (WWF) Environ- mental Issue This column asks questions related to key envir. issues. To answer… This column suggests ways to obtain the information YesNoNot sure If Yes, then… Guidance on how to address the environmental issue Action Taken This column provides space to identify what further action needs to be taken to address the environmental issue. Will the project result in the emission of air pollutants (e.g., smoke, gases, dust particles)?  Review project proposal.  Consult local natural resources department Consider alternate activities which generate lower emissions..

6. 6 Economic Commission of Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) Section Five: Overall Effects of Damages I.Environment II.The impact of disasters on women III.Damage overview IV.Macroeconomic effects of damages V.Employment and income

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10. 10 THE PHASE-OUT AND CLOSURE OF CAMPS FOR DISPLACED PEOPLE – A GUIDELINE PREPARED BY THE GLOBAL CAMP CO-ORDINATION AND CAMP MANAGEMENT CLUSTER

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12. 12 Emergency Shelter Environmental Impact Assessment and Action Checklist Identifying Critical Environmental Considerations in Shelter Site Selection, Construction, Management and Decommissioning

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14. 14 Overview of the REA

15. 15 The Problem Environmental conditions often contribute to disasters. Disasters can result in negative environmental impacts. Relief aid can have positive or negative environmental impacts. Lack of a systematic way to incorporate environmental impact assessment into disaster management. +/-

16. 16 Review: What is the REA? Guidelines for Rapid Environmental Impact Assessment in Disasters REA is a rapid assessment tool to: identify, define, prioritize environmental issues in disaster situations threatening HUMAN LIFE & WELFARE so that their effects can be minimized

17. 17 Simple and rapid… Designed for use in natural, technological and/or political disasters A useful way to organize and make sense of environmental information available in disasters A consensus-based qualitative assessment process Used to identify follow-up actions during a disaster (… Not a tool which provides answers on how to resolve environmental issues) The REA is…

18. 18 REA does not replace an Environmental Impact Assessment REA fills a gap when an EIA process can’t be used (disasters, rapidly changing situations). REA results can serve as a “scoping” assessment for an EIA REA results can set a baseline for EIA data analysis REA and EIA…

19. 19 Those who respond to disasters have little time for in depth research and are not likely to be environmental specialist. Why RAPID? Actions must be taken quickly and can’t wait for a lengthy, quantitative and thorough assessment process

20. 20 4 Modules & 11 Tasks of REA 1.Organization Level Assessment 2.Community Level Assessment 3.Consolidation and Analysis (of 1 + 2) 4. Green Review of Relief Procurement See “table” page v in Guidelines.

21. 21 The REA Process Green of Relief Community Assessment Summary Form See Session 2.3 in your “Workbook” + Module I Organization Level Assessment Context Statement Factors Influencing Environmental Impacts Environmental Threats of Disasters Unmet Basic Needs Negative Environmental Consequences of Relief Activities Task 1 Task 3 Task 4 Task 5 Task 2 Task 6 Module II Community Level Assessment: Module III Consolidation and Analysis Consolidate the Issues Identify Critical Issues and Actions Prioritize Issues and Actions Environmental Consequences of Relief Activities Review Task 7 Task 8 Task 9 Module IV Review Procurement Action Task 11 Task 10 from communities Based on information collected directly or from secondary sources.

22. 22 The Context National Geophysical Data Center Organization Level Assessment

23. 23 Spatial, social, cultural, economic conditions of affected populations Factors Influencing Environmental Impact

24. 24 Salination and sedimentation ruin agricultural land Damage to chemical plants, rivers carrying pesticides, toxic materials Destruction of wooded areas creates future flooding hazard Salination and sedimentation ruin agricultural land Damage to chemical plants, rivers carrying pesticides, toxic materials Destruction of wooded areas creates future flooding hazard PAHO photo – Dom. Rep. In addition to the immediate loss of lives and damage to buildings, what are secondary environmental threats or hazards that may further imperil human life, health, welfare and/or their environment Cyclones / Floods? Environmental Threats of Disasters

25. 25 What are typical basic needs in disasters? Unmet Basic Needs In REA “Unmet basic needs” we are concerned with: Basic needs which are not being met which result in survivors turning to their surrounding environment to extract from it what they need.

26. 26 Unmet Basic Needs - Tsunami What are some of the unmet basic needs of this disaster? Which of these may result in survivors extracting from their environment to meet their unmet needs?

27. 27 Negative Environmental Consequences of Disaster Relief UNEP Photo, Radusa refugee camp, Macedonia 1999 – Nearby Waste Disposal Area e.g. Camps: plastic & packaging waste, waste disposal site, latrines fill up, then what? Sanitation and water quality issues For example, negative environmental consequences of refugee camps?

28. 28 Community Level Assessment Identifies critical environmental issues related to the disaster from the perspective of communities and groups affected by the disaster. Why do it? How?

29. 29 REA Rating Forms Organizational Level Assessment Templates and Forms “Community Level Assessment Form” Issues Consolidation Table Issues and Action Table

30. 30 What do we do with all data? Module 3: Consolidation and Analysis Consolidation and analysis of - Organizational Level Assessment and - Community Level Assessment Identifies and prioritizes environmentally-linked issues involving significant immediate threat to lives, well being and the environment

31. 31 Issues which do not pose an immediate threat to life, welfare or environment will need to be addressed during a longer-term recovery phase REA Outcome: Priorities & Actions Focus of the REA is to identify and prioritize environmental issues resulting from the disaster and disaster response which pose an IMMEDIATE threat to life, welfare or the environment  Re-design or reorient the existing relief and recovery efforts  Design new projects  Advocate for action  Identify where additional information or specialized assessment is required before deciding on actions

32. 32 Green Review of Relief Procurement Screens procurement of relief commodities and services to minimize negative environmental impacts.

33. 33 Green of Relief Community Assessment Summary Form See Session 2.3 in your “Workbook” + Module I Organization Level Assessment Context Statement Factors Influencing Environmental Impacts Environmental Threats of Disasters Unmet Basic Needs Negative Environmental Consequences of Relief Activities Task 1 Task 3 Task 4 Task 5 Task 2 Task 6 Module II Community Level Assessment: Module III Consolidation and Analysis Consolidate the Issues Identify Critical Issues and Actions Prioritize Issues and Actions Environmental Consequences of Relief Activities Review Task 7 Task 8 Task 9 Module IV Review Procurement Action Task 11 Task 10 from communities Based on information collected directly or from secondary sources. The REA: Any questions? Clarifications?

34. 34 Exercise Negative Environmental Consequences of Relief

35. 35 Exercise Objectives Complete Rating Form 4 “Negative Environmental Consequences of Relief Activities” Identify which relief interventions may create negative environmental consequences Propose general mitigation / prevention options to respond to the environmental threats

36. 36 The REA Process Green of Relief Module III Consolidation and Analysis Consolidate the Issues Identify Critical Issues and Actions Prioritize Issues and Actions Environmental Consequences of Relief Activities Review Task 7 Task 8 Task 9 Module IV Procurement Action Task 11 Task 10 Module I Organization Level Assessment Context Statement Factors Influencing Environmental Impacts Environmental Threats of Disasters Unmet Basic Needs Negative Environmental Consequences of Relief Activities Task 1 Task 3 Task 4 Task 5 Task 2 + Task 6 Community Assessment Summary Form Module II Community Level Assessment: from communities Based on information collected directly or from secondary sources. Review

37. 37 This form… …provides a way to quickly recognize and mitigate negative environmental impacts of disaster relief activities

38. 38 Negative Environmental Consequences of Disaster Relief

39. 39 What happens to all the shrink-wrap and packaging?

40. 40 Kagera, Tanzania, 1996 Firewood consumption: 1200 ton/day Forest affected: 570 km2 Deforested area:167 km2

41. 41 Flooding caused by clearing forested area for temporary emergency settlement

42. 42 How to identify potential negative environmental consequences Complete Rating Form 4 Step 1: determine if possible intervention is underway or planned. Activity Is the activity underway or planned? (Yes or No) Questions: Have potential negative environmental consequences been addressed? Yes / No answer to the questions immediately to the left Selected Avoidance or Mitigation Options Local coping Strategies To be added based on specific disaster conditions Avoidance/mitigation options should be developed… Agro-chemicals 1. Is the danger to applicators and humans… 1. Avoid or minimize use or use products… Seeds, tools and fertilizers 1. Is the loss of agro-bio- diversity prevented.. 1. Use local seeds where possible… yes no yes

43. 43 How to identify potential negative environmental consequences Step 2: determine if potential negative consequences have been addressed Activity Is the activity underway or planned? (Yes or No) Questions: Have potential negative environmental consequences been addressed? Yes / No answer to the questions immediately to the left Selected Avoidance or Mitigation Options Local coping Strategies To be added based on specific disaster conditions Avoidance/mitigation options should be developed… Agro-chemicals 1. Is the danger to applicators and humans… 1. Avoid or minimize use or use products… Seeds, tools and fertilizers 1. Is the loss of agro-bio- diversity prevented.. 1. Use local seeds where possible… yes no yes no yes

44. 44 How to identify potential negative environmental consequences Step 3: identify which of the interventions 1.should be changed to avoid negative impacts 2.need to be implemented despite negative impacts 3.should be canceled or avoided due to possible negative impacts

45. 45 An identification of negative impacts of relief assistance… can lead to three outcomes: 1.postpone or cancel relief action if it results in environmental damage 2.change ongoing activities to incorporate environmental impact mitigation or avoidance measures 3.accept negative environmental impacts as unavoidable and preferable to no assistance Which action is preferred?

46. 46 Exercise: Negative Environmental Consequences of Relief Activities Objective: Identify and prioritize negative environmental consequences of relief activities 1.Turn to the instructions for this step in your handout. 2.Begin by reading the case study and reviewing the content on rating form 4. 3.Complete rating form 4 following the steps outlined earlier and making any assumptions that you must. 4.After completing the form, in your groups, select the top three priority negative environmental consequences and enter these in the corresponding section of your group’s “Issues Consolidation Table.” 15 minutes to complete