This mission report by the UN Environment/OCHA Joint Unit covers the response and deployment of an expert team undertaking a Rapid Environmental Assessment (REA)in the aftermath of a pipeline explosion in Nairobi, Kenya in 2011.

On 12 September 2011, international media sources reported a major fuel pipeline explosion and fire in the Mukuru-Sinai slum of Nairobi, Kenya. Over 100 people were burnt to death, while an equal amount of people were hospitalized with serious burn wounds. On 23 September 2011, an official request for environmental emergency response services was made by the Kenyan Ministry of Environment and Mineral Resources (MEMR) through the United Nations Resident Coordinator (UNRC). The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), through the UN Environment/OCHA Joint Unit, subsequently compiled an expert team to undertake a rapid environmental emergency assessment. The scope of the mission was to provide scientific information on the extent and nature of pollution and to assist the decision taking and priority-setting by the authorities and other actors for follow-up activities on the affected site.

Consult the mission report here.