Interventions

Physical Protection
Direct Provision
Improved Technologies
Alternative Fuels
Livelihoods Support
Fuel-efficient Techniques
Environment

Environmental degradation caused/exacerbated by the harvesting of firewood/fodder/shelter materials by concentrated displaced populations lengthens the distance women/girls must travel outside of camps to collect firewood, putting them at greater risk of attack. Environmental degradation can result in soil erosion, flash-flooding, surface water pollution and loss of natural habitat, possibly limiting livelihoods opportunities and negatively impacting food security, in addition to increasing tensions with hosts over access to/availability of natural resources, possibly leading to retribution/attacks on firewood collectors.

 
File Icon Institute for Environmental Security's Quick Scan Report: Dealing With Energy Needs in Humanitarian Crisis Response Operations
The quick scan report shows how emergency relief organizations are handling fuel needs in disaster response operations, such as in IDP/refugee camps in Darfur, Ethiopia, DR Congo and Nepal. High demand for firewood and charcoal has led to large-scale deforestation, with huge impacts on future livelihoods of the affected people. In addition, fuel scarcity can lead to the regeneration of (violent) conflicts. The study also explored various alternative - more sustainable - energy sources and technologies that can be used in such crisis response situations. The report has been published as part of the ‘FUEL-project’, which aims at promoting the integration of sustainable fuel provision in humanitarian crisis response operations.

File Icon Institute for Environmental Security's Executive Summary: Dealing With Energy Needs in Humanitarian Crisis Response Operations
This is the executive summary of a report which shows how emergency relief organizations are handling fuel needs in disaster response operations, such as in IDP/refugee camps in Darfur, Ethiopia, DR Congo and Nepal. The full report is also available on this page.

File Icon Wilson Cener's Sustaining Natural Resources and Environmental Integrity During Response to Crisis and Conflict
“Sustaining Natural Resources and Environmental Integrity During Response to Crisis and Conflict,” a November 12, 2008, meeting sponsored by the Wilson Center’s Environmental Change and Security Program. With Anita Van Breda, Director, Humanitarian Partnerships, World Wildlife Fund and Charles Kelly, Affiliate, Benfield Hazard Research Centre, University College London. Video of the event is available from the summary linked to here.

File Icon Destitution, Distortion and Deforestation: the Impact of the Conflict on the Timber and Woodfuel Trade in Darfur
Margie Buchanan-Smith, Abuelgasim Abdalla Adam, Brendan Bromwich, Mohammed El Hafiz Ibrahim Dafalla, Dr. Abduljaffar Abdulla Fadul and Abdul Rahman Mohammed Tahir

File Icon Environmental Resource Management's Mainstreaming the Environment into Humanitarian Response.
The aim of this report is to explore the opportunities and issues associated with mainstreaming the environment into humanitarian response activities. Nineteen NGOs, three Donors, five United Nations Agencies, the IFRC and two experts were interviewed as part of the research to collect feedback and good practice examples on environmental policies, tools, standards, guidelines and procedures used by humanitarian agencies. In addition, a Steering Group, comprising eleven experts was convened to discuss the opportunities and challenges associated with mainstreaming the environment into humanitarian response.

File Icon Tearfund’s Study of Environmental Concerns in Darfur (2007)

A technical report discussing the environmental situation of Darfur.Based on a mission by the study team, Tearfund’s project experience and collaboration with other environmental initiatives in Darfur, the study introduces a framework of sustainable resource management in order to mitigate environmental degradationin the context of relief efforts. Practical recommendations are made tointegrate environment and resource management in relief projects and programs.



File Icon Environmental Guidelines

This document outlines UNHCR’s plan for managing environmental impacts in refugee settings. It describes the basis for integrating environmental factors into UNHCR’s programs and identifies and evaluates the range of some of the most common environmental impacts associated with refugee or returnee situations and possible interventions to address impacts. The specific issues of cooking and domestic energy are presented in Section 6 of the Guidelines, including general information about possible impacts and suggested considerations in determining interventions.



File Icon Forest Management in Refugee and Returnee Situations

This handbook details UNHCR’s guidelines for forest management in refugee situations based on lessons learned from the field. With a particular focus on humid and dry tropical regions, the handbook promotes the increased involvement of refugees and local communities in decision-making and management of forest resources. Background information on forests and their role in ecosystem functioning; key issues and concerns of forest management and refugee-assistance programs; and a series of practical actions for initial damage control measures, supply management, and environmental rehabilitation are discussed. In addition, steps are prescribed for the development of a local forest management plan.



File Icon Environment Monitoring and Evaluation Framework


File Icon Refugee Operations & Environmental Management: A Handbook of Selected Lessons Learned from the Field

A handbook detailing selected environmental practices and lessons learned from past refugee operations. Based on the experiences of UNHCR, partner organizations, and practitioners, the document presents a set of holistic set of lessons and operational guidelines and uses case studies to further illuminate key points. The areas of focus are: Institutional Arrangements; Environmental Assessment, Planning, and Monitoring; Refugee Camp and Settlement Establishment; Domestic Energy and Household Practices; Forestry and Natural Resource Management; and Environmental Education and Awareness-Raising.



File Icon Key Principles for Decision-Making

A guide presenting key principles to be considered and followed in order to preserve the environment during refugee situations. This document is intended to be used by decision-makers as they design their plan of action for environmental management. Considerations related to household fuel are included.



File Icon Environment Lessons Learned Handbook


File Icon Excerpt from UNEP's 2007 Post-Conflict Environmental Assessment of Sudan

Chapter 5 on population displacement.

The full UNEP report can be downloaded here



File Icon Institute for Environmental Security's Note de Synthèse (en Français): Faire Face aux Besoins Energétiques dans les Opérations de Réponse aux Crises Humanitaires
Traduction en français de "Institute for Environmental Security's Executive Summary: Dealing With Energy Needs in Humanitarian Crisis Response Operations". La version originale de la note de synthèse et le document intégral (en anglais) sont aussi disponibles sur cette page.

File Icon Guidelines for Rapid Environmental Assessments