Identification of disposed chemical containers
Photo: UNMIL - Environmental Unit

Proper management and protection of environmental and natural resources are important and absolutely necessary in post-conflict Liberia. The Unit has been carrying out the activities in line with the section 3.(r) of Resolution 1509: 'To assist the transitional government in restoring proper administration of natural resources.'  It is also providing support to ensure that UNMIL is suitably positioned to advise UN, government, donor and NGO partners on appropriate environmental and natural resources policies and strategies to assist Liberia comply with the condition laid down by the Sanction Committee of the UN Security Council.  The Unit conducts environmental site assessment, environmental awareness raising and provide support for the activities of Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Forestry Development Authority (FDA).  The unit is also assessing the environmental implications of UNMIL's activities, and provides appropriate assistance to prevent unnecessary environmental destruction by the mission's presence.  UNMIL is the fist mission to staff dedicated environmental specialists to tackle these issues.

Activities

• Environmental Site Assessments
• Environmental Awareness Raising Activities
• Assist in EPA and FDA on environmental management, such as the organization of the Task Force on Environment in Liberia
• Provide advice and recommendations for strengthening Liberia's role in the international environmental policy-making process
• Assist Panel of Experts on Sanction in Liberia on their investigations
• Provide contributions to the DPKO initiative for the development of the Environmental Guidelines for overall peacekeeping operations
• Assess environmental implicatios and provide appropriate assistance to UNMIL activities
• Environmental Baseline Survey at County level
• Development of the Strategy on the protection of natural resources in Sapo National Forest
• Environmental Awareness raising activities for UNMIL personnel
• Implementation of Environmental Guidelines for Peacekeeping Operations

Environmental Baseline Survey at County Level

Purpose of this survey is to set the baselines to properly assess the environmental needs/concerns of the people residing outside of Monrovia while building the capacity of the government counterparts to conduct such survey.  The result of this survey will be shared among the environmental and conservation community in Liberia and used by UNMIL to properly plan the work to assist National Transitional Government of Liberia (NTGL).  During this survey, the Unit will visit the counties, establish contact with various environmental/development organizations and potential implementation partners.  It will identify county-specific environmental concerns and assess the current level of environmental awareness.  The survey will be conducted in truly interactive manner that the local organizations and governments will have the opportunity to express their concerns and reflect them on the Unit's overall work plan to assist NTGL in restoring proper administration of natural resources.

Protection of Natural Resources

The Environment and Natural Resources Unit has been closely working with the local and international organizations on the conservation and protection of Liberia's natural resources.  For example, the Unit, together with FDA, EPA, UNMIL military, UNMIL civil affairs section, U.S. Forest Services, UNDP, UNOPS, and NGOs like Fauna and Flora International, Conservation International, and Save Our Future Foundation, is carrying out the assessment of the situation in Sapo National Forest and developing the strategies to protect it from human destruction.

Environmental Awareness Raising Briefing for UNMIL personnel

The Unit is providing environmental awareness raising briefing to UNMIL personnel to provide guidance on how peacekeeping operation can carry out the activities with minimum harm to the Liberian environment.  It has given the briefing to several military contingents.