UN Environment Programme (UNEP) Latin America and Caribbean Office have developed a policy paper setting out the response services that UNEP can offer in the region. Both through continuing support to ongoing emergencies and response to new requests for support from governments and other UN agencies, UNEP will focus support on:
- Management of healthcare waste in emergencies;
- The environment in humanitarian action (mitigation of environmental impacts of the response and also the integration of opportunities to advance environmental benefits through the response), and;
- Integrating the relationship between environment and humanitarian needs in humanitarian response plans.
This will build on the existing partnership with OCHA through the UNEP/OCHA Joint Environment Unit. UNEP will also align ongoing project work with these aims where possible.