05 January 2005
Nations Assess Tsunami-Linked Environmental Damage
U.N. environment agency supporting affected nations
Reefs, shorelines, vegetation and croplands may all have suffered serious damage from the tsunami that slammed into the coasts of 12 nations, and the U.N. Environment Programme (UNEP) is working with affected governments to determine the severity of the problems and how they might be addressed.
In a January 5 situation report, UNEP provides a snapshot of its efforts to assist various nations. In these initial assessments, UNEP also is collecting data from industrial facilities in the stricken regions to determine whether there might be a risk for secondary environmental problems that could result from damaged, unstable manufacturing or production facilities.
In a related development, Thai Foreign Minister Surakiat Sathianthai gave environmental concerns a high priority in that nation’s recovery planning as he discussed the issues with U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell January 4. Powell assured the Thai government that the United States will provide technical advisers to help local officials decide how to rehabilitate natural resources such as coral reefs and shorelines.
The text of the UNEP status report follows:
(begin text)
UN Environment Programme
5 Jan 2005
Asian Tsunami Disaster - UNEP Situation Report 2: UNEP Asian Disaster Task Force
I. Introduction
The UNEP situation report no. 1, dated 1 January 2005, outlined the activities that UNEP is currently undertaking, in cooperation with the UN family, to respond to the South Asian Disaster. UNEP situation report no. 2 outlines the current requests and activities that are being undertaken at the national level to address the environmental concerns and assess the impacts.
II. Update by Country
a) Indonesia
The Ministry of Environment requested urgent assistance from UNEP in establishing an environmental crisis centre in Jakarta, providing environmental assistance to the Ministry of Environment in supporting a field assessment and in developing an action plan for addressing the environmental issues identified.
Since the disaster, UNEP has been collecting remote sensing information on industrial sites in the zone of impact, with the aim of identifying potential secondary environmental risks from damage to industrial infrastructure.
On 1 January, two senior UNEP staff (Mr. David Meadows and Mr. Takehiro Nakamura) were deployed to join the UNDAC and UN Country team in Indonesia and to provide technical expertise to the Ministry of the Environment.
On 2 January, UNEP made a flash appeal submission through the UNDAC and UN Country Team mechanism in Indonesia for responding to the request of the Ministry of Environment in full cooperation with the UN system.
On 4 January, UNEP provided a senior environmental expert to take the lead role for the environmental sector in the on-going United Nations/World Bank Needs Assessment. The assessment started on 4 January and will last for an anticipated 2-week period. UNEP will work in cooperation with the national environmental authorities to identify the key environmental needs and ensure they are integrated into the recovery and reconstruction plans.
Early next week, an additional UNEP will be deployed to join the Indonesia activities and to establish the environmental crisis centre.
b) Sri Lanka
The Central Environmental Authority requested urgent assistance from UNEP to work with national experts in assessing the environmental damage in the various sectors including coral reefs, shore erosion, coastal land use planning, water pollution, soil contamination, etc. Following the assessment, Sri Lanka's top priority for UNEP assistance is in the development of a forward looking plan on coastal zone management and land use planning. An initial planning meeting will be held on 6 January and UNEP has been asked to participate.
Since the disaster, UNEP has been collecting remote sensing information on industrial sites in the zone of impact, with the aim of identifying potential secondary environmental risks from damage to industrial infrastructure.
One 2 January, UNEP made a flash appeal submission through the UNDAC and UN Country Team mechanism in Sri Lanka for responding to the request of the Central Environmental Authority in full cooperation with the UN system.
On 5 January, three UNEP staff from the UNEP Regional Office of Asia and the Pacific (Mr. Surendra Shrestra, Mr. John Carstensen and Mr. Lal Kurukulasuriya) will depart to Sri Lanka to participate in the environmental assessment planning meeting organized by the national environmental authorities. An additional UNEP expert (Mr. Ananda Dias) will be deployed to Sri Lanka on Friday.
c) Thailand
The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MONRE) expressed interest in cooperating with UNEP in terms of conducting an assessment of the environmental impacts arising from the disaster. The Ministry is looking forward to receiving UNEP expertise and support to establish an Environmental Crisis Centre at the Ministry, to carry out the initial damage assessment, and to prepare response plans and projects.
Since the disaster, UNEP has been collecting remote sensing information on industrial sites in the zone of impact, with the aim of identifying potential secondary environmental risks from damage to industrial infrastructure.
UNEP is providing assistance to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment using existing staff located in the UNEP Regional Office for Asian and the Pacific (located in Bangkok). UNEP's capacities in the Bangkok office have also been strengthened through the addition of two senior staff (Mr. Lal Kurukulasuriya and Mr. John Carstensen).
On 5 January, three UNEP staff (Mr. David Meadows, Mr. Lal Kurukulasuriya, and Ms. Wantanee Katepasook) met with the Director of Office of International Cooperation on Natural Resources and Environment, MONRE to discuss and develop a plan of action. The next meeting will take place tomorrow to finalize the discussions.
UNEP is also ready to provide environmental expertise to the UNDAC and UN country team, as well as to the UN Needs Assessment that is currently being planned.
d) Maldives
The Ministry of Environment and Construction requested urgent assistance from UNEP in terms of emergency waste management and environmental assessment of impacts to natural resources.
Since the disaster, UNEP has been collecting remote sensing information on industrial sites in the zone of impact, with the aim of identifying potential secondary environmental risks from damage to industrial infrastructure.
On 27 December, one UNEP staff (Mr. Rene Nijenhuis) from the OCHA-UNEP Joint Environment Unit was deployed to join the UNDAC team in the Maldives. An additional UNEP expert is being sent to assist in emergency waste management issues.
On 2 January, UNEP made a flash appeal submission through the UNDAC and UN Country Team mechanism in the Maldives for responding to the request of the Ministry of Environment and Construction in full cooperation with the UN system.
UNEP is ready to provide environmental expertise to the UN Needs Assessments that are currently being considered.
e) India
The Ministry of Environment of India made a priority request for UNEP assistance in carrying out an independent rapid environmental assessment of the damages to the coastal zone. It was noted that the high levels of human casualties in Tamil Nadu is due to unauthorised construction and hence the importance of coastal zone planning.
Since the disaster, UNEP has been collecting remote sensing information on industrial sites in the zone of impact, with the aim of identifying potential secondary environmental risks from damage to industrial infrastructure.
UNEP is now discussing with the environmental authorities in India how UNEP can provide support and technical assistance in conducting an assessment.
f) Seychelles
UNEP will provide environmental information to the UNDAC mission that was launched on 3 January. In addition, technical support will be provided on the issue of early warning systems and disaster preparedness.
UNEP is also considering to provide field assistance through existing staff associated with the UNEP Regional Seas Programme.
g) Myanmar
No requests have been received to provide environmental assistance to the authorities in Myanmar. However, UNEP is collecting remote sensing information on industrial sites in the zone of impact, with the aim of identifying potential secondary environmental risks from damage to industrial infrastructure.
h) Somalia
UNEP is considering how best to support environmental assessments of impacts in Somalia.
III. Contact Information
UNEP Task Force Chairman:
Mr. Pasi Rinne
UNEP South Asian Disaster Task Force
Tel. + 41 22 91 78 617
Mob. + 358 400 464 127
Fax. + 41 22 91 78 064
E-mail: pasi.rinne@unep.ch
(end text)
(Distributed by the Bureau of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)
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