Environmental Impact of Sudden Population Displacements - Expert Consultation on Priority Policy Issues and Humanitarian Aid (European Commission Humanitarian Office, 1995, 28 p.): 6. AN APPEAL FOR URGENT POLICY ATTENTION: 6.1. Principle

Environmental Impact of Sudden Population Displacements - Expert Consultation on Priority Policy Issues and Humanitarian Aid (European Commission Humanitarian Office, 1995, 28 p.)

6. AN APPEAL FOR URGENT POLICY ATTENTION

		6.1. Principle
		6.2. Time framework and policy parameters
		6.3. Urgent policy concerns
		6.4 Institutions, resources and technical interventions

6.1. Principle

In humanitarian emergencies involving displacement of people, the environment provides a set of livelihood resources for both the displaced people and local people. The objective is to safeguard that livelihood environment for the benefit of the local populations in the long-term, and for the promotion of development of both local populations and displaced populations. Providing basic human needs must be done in a cost effective and environmentally sound way (e.g. milling of food, bio-degradable packaging, supply of poles, etc.). This principle necessitates the inclusion of environmental concerns in all emergency programmes for displaced populations. Primary focus therefore should be on safeguarding the livelihood environment for everybody in the refugee affected area, while safeguarding the medium-term sustainability of the ecosystem.