The UNHCR and Environmental Management in conflict situations

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Thinking about welcoming refugees into our societies and supporting them in finding a green job, we mustn't forget the conditions of many refugees who can not afford or manage to leave their region of conflict. The UN Refugee Agency aims at supporting refugees and conflict zones in preserving the environment and habitat. Environmental problems are all over the world. However, the problmes we are facing are very different compared to the countries in crisis.

According to the UNHCR the following concerns must be taken into account:

"Among the most significant problems associated with refugee-affected areas are deforestation, soil erosion, and depletion and pollution of water resources. Other considerations which must be taken into account include changes in the social and economic welfare of local communities following the arrival, or during prolonged residency, of refugees. These too may impact the environment, altering the rate and extent of local services available to people - today and in the future.

Competition for natural resources such as fuelwood, building materials, fresh water and wild foods is an immediate concern. Environmental degradation or conflicts between refugees and resident populations may, if not addressed, undermine the effectiveness of UNHCR’s programmes and, equally important, influence the future decision of governments to offer asylum to refugees.

Refugees, however, cannot be expected to put environmental considerations ahead of their own safety and welfare. This is where UNHCR and other organisations lend a helping hand, helping confine the impact of refugees to as low a level as possible and assisting host countries with rehabilitation and clean-up operations."

To giver more insight, the UNHCR offers a guide including the key principles of environmental and conflict management for decision-makers:

http://www.unhcr.org/protection/environment/3b03b24d4/refugee-operations-environmental-management-key-principles-decision-making.html 

Parts of the text have first been published on this page.

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