Post-Conflict and Disaster Management Branch
The Post-Conflict & Disaster Management Branch (PCDMB) extends UNEP's work in areas of the world where the environment is impacted by conflicts and disasters, or where the environment is a factor contributing to conflicts and disaster impacts.
PCDMB has worked in post-conflict settings such as Afghanistan, Sudan, Iraq and Lebanon, as well as in countries affected by major disasters such as Pakistan, Indonesia, Sri Lanka and Maldives. Because conflicts and disasters are so closely intertwined with the environment, proper environmental management and governance is essential for long-term peace, stability and security in any conflict- or disaster-prone country.
PCDMB conducts environmental assessments in crisis affected countries and strengthens national environmental management capacity through institution building, promoting regional cooperation, technical legal assistance, environmental information management and integrating environmental concerns and risk reduction measures in reconstruction programmes.
PCDMB's core areas of operation can be described as follows:
- Conducting environmental assessments
Field-based assessments are conducted to identify the impacts of a conflict or disaster on environmental systems and the possible indirect impacts on human health. To ensure scientific rigour, the fieldwork is followed by independent laboratory analysis. The resultant reports give detailed recommendations on environmental recovery, risk reduction and national capacity building. - Mitigating environmental risk
UNEP delivers technical support for environmental clean-up or to mitigate environmental risks caused by disasters or conflict, including those posed by chemical contamination or severe environmental damage to human health or livelihoods. UNEP provides advice to ensure that the recovery process builds back better and does not create new sources of environmental vulnerability, harm or disaster risk. - Strengthening institutions for environmental governance
The status of environmental institutions is identified and strengthened through capacity building and reform activities. Activities include law and policy development, environmental information management, environmental impact assessment and strategic environmental assessment. - Integrating environmental considerations in reconstruction
UNEP is the lead agency for the environment in UN inter-agency processes addressing disasters and conflicts, thereby ensuring that post-conflict humanitarian interventions and reconstruction investments do not result in long term environmental damage. The UN Development Group, the Inter-Agency Standing Committee, the International Strategy for Disaster Risk Reduction and the Peace Building Commission are key partners. - Strengthening international and regional environmental cooperation
UNEP's environmental diplomacy work provides an opportunity for confidence building, using shared environmental resources as the platform for renewed transboundary cooperation between parties.
PCDMB is based in Geneva, Switzerland, with field offices in Kabul, Monrovia and Colombo.