V. Response to natural disasters and environmental emergencies

133. The number and scale of environmental emergencies have grown at an alarming speed.

Annex VI to the Madrid Protocol on liability arising from environmental emergencies was adopted in June 2005.

Developing countries are often reluctant to notify the international community and request assistance in case of environmental emergencies.

259. The importance of environmental assessment was noted, including monitoring to facilitate response to environmental emergencies, an issue addressed in several recommendations of the in depth evaluation.

The Contracting Parties shall cooperate for the setting up of early warning systems for industrial accidents and environmental emergencies.

Article 13 of the Framework Convention for the Protection of the Marine Environment of the Caspian Sea, 2003, Environmental emergencies

53. The number and scale of environmental emergencies in different parts of the world are rising at an alarming rate.

(iii) Fact finding missions (ROLAC) missions led by UNEP and advisory services to countries facing environmental emergencies and natural disasters (1)

(i) Recurrent publications Compendium of Environmental Laws of African Countries Judicial Decisions in Environment related Cases national casebooks on environmental law (4) newsletters highlighting UNEP wide environmental and capacity building activities pertaining to environmental education, environmental laws and water management (8) environmental emergencies newsletter highlighting UNEP relevant activities distributed to national Governments, key partners and national focal points (2)

After 12 years of negotiations, a new Annex to the Protocol, on Liability Arising From Environmental Emergencies, was adopted in June 2005.

A model national contingency plan for environmental emergencies and guidelines for rapid environmental assessment in chemical accidents were elaborated and made available to the National Focal Points and UNDP offices in all countries.

Since the scope of the new annex is limited to environmental emergencies, it did not completely discharge the obligations under article 16 of the Protocol.

The number and the scale of environmental emergencies in different parts of the world are rising at an alarming rate. (A 53 139, para. 53)

Environmental education for refugees continued in cooperation with UNESCO's Programme for Education for Emergencies and Reconstruction (PEER), using a new integrated approach combining both formal and informal pedagogical methods to raise awareness and compliance with environmental strategies.

Medical emergencies

Emergencies Unit

(i) Emergencies

Complex humanitarian emergencies

Complex humanitarian emergencies

5. The Council is concerned by the growing number of natural disasters and environmental emergencies which often strike countries that lack the resources to cope with them adequately.

The biennium will also see the strengthening of the UNEP contribution to inter agency work in relation to environmental emergencies as well as the continuation of efforts to replicate the environmental law services to other regions based on the experience gained in Africa.

Disbursements for underfunded emergencies

Article 4 Public emergencies

Security, safety and emergencies

(ii) Responses to emergencies

Subprogramme 20.2 Complex emergencies

International assistance was provided with regard to various environmental emergencies which affected a number of countries, including the Philippines, the Russian Federation, Cuba, Somalia, Tanzania, Armenia, Georgia, Chile and Moldova.

(b) Security, safety and emergencies.

24.15 The Joint UNEP DHA Environment Unit has been consolidating the mechanisms of urgent response to natural disasters and environmental emergencies and further developing its capacity to respond to industrial accidents.

The Protocol comprises six annexes, dealing with environmental impact assessment (Annex I), conservation of Antarctic fauna and flora (Annex II), waste disposal and waste management (Annex III), prevention of marine pollution (Annex IV), area protection and management (Annex V) and liability arising from environmental emergencies (Annex VI).

61. Invariably, the lesson most frequently learned after natural disasters and environmental emergencies is that the United Nations should strengthen its efforts to promote disaster preparedness at the country and regional levels.

Manual for dealing with obstetric emergencies.

Article 4. Public emergencies 119 49

Conflict related emergencies rarely end neatly.

3. Response to other humanitarian emergencies

Emergencies are determined by paramedical staff.

50. Between the beginning of 1997 and March 1998, the United Nations provided assistance to 51 Member States in their efforts to cope with the impact of 77 natural disasters and environmental emergencies.

The Contracting Parties shall take all appropriate measures to establish and maintain adequate emergency preparedness measures, including measures to ensure that adequate equipment and qualified personnel are readily available, to respond to environmental emergencies.

The UNEP regional offices promote intergovernmental policy dialogue and regional cooperation, increase national capacity for environmental management and response to emergencies, raise awareness and enhance information exchange, and translate global policies into regional action.

Dealing with obstetrical complications and neonatal emergencies.

Management of internal disorder, emergencies and conflicts

Emergencies Conclusions of an Internal Review Process

As a result, humanitarian emergencies are commonplace.

4. Responding to emergencies assistance at sea