Call for Case Studies on Environmental Assessment in Humanitarian Action

USAID, OCHA, UN Environment, UNHCR, WWF, and MSB Joint Initiative
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A Joint Initiative by USAID, OCHA, UN Environment, UNHCR, WWF, and MSB is seeking case studies relating to environmental assessments in humanitarian action. This initiative has engaged in dialogue with humanitarian and conservation actors, centering around the update of the Rapid Environmental Assessment (REA) tool and worked to improve coordination and data sharing between the humanitarian and environment/conservation communities. 

The Initiative is identifying opportunities for enhanced integration into humanitarian systems, tools, and processes for assessments and data sharing. This includes looking at humanitarian data sharing platforms such as HDX and humanitarianresponse.info; humanitarian data sharing systems and processes, such as OCHA’s Information Management systems and Common Operational Datasets; and other assessments tools, such as Cluster assessments. The project is also working on designing guidance for environmental actors who are interested in sharing data with humanitarian partners and vice versa, for humanitarians who would like to increase access to and use of environmental data. This work will continue with the Joint Initiative partners throughout the course of the project. 

The Initiative will hold a session on September 27 at the 2017 Environment and Emergencies Forum in Nairobi where participants will be able to take part in the REA updating process and share their experience of using environmental assessments in order to cross-check the relevancy of the update. Participants will also be asked to outline the most important issues they would want to see reflected in a quality humanitarian response. Participants will also be given more information on how to submit proposals for technical support to implement sections of the updated REA methodology.

In late October the Initiative will bring together stakeholders for a workshop in Washington, DC, to discuss the updated REA and best practices for data sharing and coordination between environmental and humanitarian actors. Please keep an eye on the website for updates on the workshop and get in touch with Mandy George if interested in participating.

Regarding case studies, the Joint Initiative is looking for case studies specifically around environmental assessments in humanitarian action, to help build up the evidence base around this issue. They will feature the case studies at http://www.eecentre.org/assessments/ . The deadline for submissions is September 30th. They can be sent to Mandy George, Team Leader, Coordination of Assessments for Environment in Humanitarian Action,george14@un.org.