UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UN OCHA)
/United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) [formerly Department of Humanitarian Affairs (DHA)]

http://www.reliefweb.int/ocha_ol/index.html

AGENDA 21 CHAPTERS AND PROGRAMME AREAS OF PARTICULAR FOCUS OR INTEREST:
See check list in annex.

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF AND LINKS TO INFORMATION ACTIVITIES:

Data Collection, Observation, Monitoring

 a. Data collection methods
 Field surveys, questionnaires, both directly and from other UN Organizations, National Focal Points, NGOs, Private sources. Data gathered is on health risks from pollution/hazards; human settlements in disaster-prone areas.
 
 Data collection coordination is with OCHA and relevant UNEP units.

Methodologies, Quality Control, Harmonization
 

Assessment and Analysis
 Toxic chemicals (Ch. 19), Human settlements (Ch. 7F especially para. 7.57), Institutions (Ch. 38 para 38.22n)
Cooperation with UNEP/OCHA integrated Environment Unit plus focal points with relevant UN bodies.
 Techniques used are field surveys, expert meetings, consultancy assessments.

Indicators

Modelling

Expert Systems/Decision-support systems

Early Warning Mechanisms
 Humanitarian Early Warning System.

Reports/Information dissemination

Dissemination is through reports to National Focal Points and the interested public. Coordination of dissemination is through liaison, and uses consultancy contracts to create specialist databases e.g. TNO. Contracts were useful in highlighting paucity of information.  The existing information was promoted by use of occasional papers, articles in relevant magazines and journals.

Meta-inventory on hazardous materials and toxic chemicals exists.

There is provision of consultancy reports to full National Focal Points network of decision-makers.

Network Development and Support
Manage a network of National Focal Points (57 as of 26.7.94), and interact with UNIENET - United Nations International Emergency Network.

Capacity-Building
 a. Decision-makers use of information
For decision-makers, UN-OCHA is trying to improve the effectiveness of accident reporting and information dissemination.

Training in data collection, assessment and information in collaboration with OECD Working Group on Industrial Accidents to define reporting formats.

Attempts to improve accident reporting and dissemination through OECD Working Group to plug data gaps.

Internet Access

http://www.reliefweb.int/ocha_ol/index.html
 Reliefweb: http://www.reliefweb.int

Responsible Office/Person (for inquiries or follow-up):
Mr Vladimir Sakharov
 Earthwatch focal point
 UNEP/OCHA Environment Unit
 Palais des Nations
 1211 Geneva 10, Switzerland
 Tel: +41 22 917 11 42
 Fax: +41 22 917 0023
 E-mail:  vladimir.sakharov@dha.unicc.org

Date of preparation: August 1994, updated October 1998

ORGANIZATION: UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UN OCHA)/United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) [formerly Department of Humanitarian Affairs (DHA)]