"Disasters and conflicts can impact the environment in ways that threaten human life, health, livelihoods and security. Disaster managers and humanitarian workers must therefore identify and address acute environmental risks quickly and consistently as an integral part of effective emergency response."
John Holmes,
Under-Secretary General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator
Humanitarian catastrophes, including natural disasters and industrial accidents, can cause environmental emergencies. A vital part of effective humanitarian response is to ensure that these emergencies, such as landslides, chemical spills, dam breaches and forest fires, are promptly identified, prioritized and addressed.
The United Nations have established the Joint UNEP/OCHA Environment Unit (JEU) as its core mechanism for the mobilization and coordination of the international response to environmental emergencies.
Requests for international assistanceto respond to environmental emergencies should be made to the JEU.
The Joint UNEP/OCHA Environment Unit, through the unique partnering arrangement between OCHA and UNEP, is governed by two high level governing bodies:
NEWS: Report of the 8th Meeting of the Advisory Group on Environmental Emergencies
AGEE Steering Committee Terms of Reference