Refugees and the Environment

The discussion of pollution as an environmental concern in the context of war and conflict has been difficult to pin down.  We’ll have more on that before the end of the month, but in the meantime, this is information on planning for environmental concerns before, during and after the displacement of people due to a crisis.

From the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees • Environmental Guidelines           

(You can find the entire report HERE)

OVERVIEW: Environmental issues associated with refugees and returnees are normally the consequence of high concentrations of people which often build up at a distinct location over a short period of time. In the absence of appropriate mitigating measures, the surrounding environment can quickly become degraded, which can leave a lasting impact. This, in turn, has the potential for other impacts on refugees as well as local populations. Some of the main impacts experienced in recent years are described below.

SPECIFIC CONCERNS

Natural Resources Deterioration: Degradation of renewable natural resources such as forests, soils and water resources dominates the environmental problems associated with refugees and, to a lesser degree, returnees. Depletion of these resources is often accompanied by their biological impoverishment. Contamination of surface and ground water can occur when sanitary measures are inadequate, or through improper application of agro-chemicals, leak- age of vehicle fuel, and the like. In the case of settlement schemes, poor land-use practices may further exacerbate land degradation.

Irreversible Impacts on Natural Resources: Particularly serious are impacts on areas of high environmental value that may be related to the area’s bio- logical diversity, its function as a haven for endangered species or for the ecosystem services these provide. Some of these areas may be of national or even glob- al importance. Damage to these natural assets – such as watersheds – can be irreversible, and thus deserve special efforts to ensure their integrity is maintained.

Impacts on Health: Impoverishment of natural resources can directly undermine the health of an already weakened group of people. Shortage of fuelwood, for example, may result in food not being properly cooked. In overcrowded refugee camps, disease transmission is also accelerated, while inadequate sanitation facilities can result in pollu- tion of ground water reserves. Dust aroused by the movement of – often significant – herds of livestock as well as vehicles, and smoke created from burning low- quality fuelwood heighten the incidence of respiratory diseases. Most of these problems tend to affect disproportionately the most vulnerable groups, i.e. the elderly or the younger members of a community.

Impacts on Social Conditions: The effects of environmental degradation, particularly those related to fuelwood gathering, are particularly felt by women and children. Women must spend long hours seeking and carrying wood, activities which put them at increased risk of fatigue and exposure them to assault.  Time spent on such activities also detracts from child-care and family and social functions, while children engaged in similar activities may have less time available for attending school.

Social Impacts on Local Populations: Host communities may suffer similar social impacts as those felt by refugees. Competition between locals and refugees for scarce resources (fuelwood, animal fodder, water) can easily result in conflict and resentment. In some cases, a refugee influx has even led to the break- down of traditional and sustainable local systems of natural resource management – structures that are often difficult to repair.

Economic Impacts: An influx of refugees is often felt in the local markets. While some sections of local population may benefit, the local poor are usually affected adversely as the demand for certain products and services drive prices higher and higher. Deforestation, land degradation and water resource depletion all carry with them an economic cost for the local population. So does the reduced availability of fuel, housing materials, medicines, and wild game derived from nearby forests. The consequences of environmental degradation in the vicinity of refugee camps may be felt at considerable distances from the camps: soil erosion, for example, can result in local gulleys, a radical decline in soil fertility and sedimentation of local and distant rivers, ponds and reservoirs.