VEHA
Guidance
Guidance
Virtual Environmental and Humanitarian Adviser Tool – (VEHA Tool) is a tool
to easily integrate environmental considerations in humanitarian response. Field Implementation guidances are useful for the design and execution of humanitarian activities in the field.
Poor crop and seed storage increase the risk of losing harvests.
Pesticides and similar chemicals pose a human and environmental health risk. The risk of pests can be reduced through secure food storage facilities that prevent pest entry, as well as introducing balanced levels of natural predators and some plants such as neem deter some pests. Governments often have strict requirements pertaining to pesticide usage. Pesticides are controlled substances and should be properly stored for security and safety reasons.
Fumigation could have a negative impact on health (if habitations are within 100m from the storage space/copper exposed to gas); be dangerous if liquid water is coming into direct contact with phosphide tablets if the temperature is below 15°C if it is windy…)
Ensure access for groups at risk of discrimination (including women, older people, minorities, and people with disabilities).
Air pollution
Soil pollution
Water pollution
Loss of biodiversity and ecosystems
Poor quality storage could be defined as open to dampness, insects, fungi, rodents, stored for too long, damaged by being squashed, rotting, and being lost in transport to market.
Air, soil, and water pollution can occur from the overuse of chemicals and pesticides as well as from gas and food waste (if not properly stored)
Poor quality storage could be defined as open to dampness, insects, fungi, rodents, stored for too long, damaged by being squashed, rotting, and being lost in transport to market.
The environment can be polluted by effluents from agricultural wash off of fertilisers and pesticides, and effluent from rotting seeds and crops. Chemical pesticides can also pollute the environment causing air, soil, and water pollution. Perishing crops can lead to disease spread.
Wasting perishable resources. Littering if food is not well managed.
Create seed and grain stores that are protected from dampness and prevent rodent and insect access.
Transport crops in ways that minimise damage and loss such as using containers, tarpaulins, straw.
Introduce natural predators to crop insect and rodent pests.
Minimise the use of chemical pesticides. Look for organic natural alternatives – consult communities about traditional organic pesticides. A COSHH (Control of Substances Hazardous to Health) or similar assessment should be considered for pesticide usage.
Use recommendations from pest/livestock disease research, including research aiming to reduce pesticide use or plant-incorporated protectants” (ref: FAO Agroecology Criteria Tool)
Use certified fumigation company, approved fumigants, reprocess fumigated products and keep fumigations’ records
Research pest and disease resilient crops.
Work with the community to design seed and grain stores that are protected from dampness and prevent rodent and insect access. Support communities in developing or accessing crop insurance and seed banks and alternative livelihoods so they spread their risk. Storage areas should be dry and hygienic, adequately protected from weather, and free of chemical or other contamination. Refer to https://foodqualityandsafety.wfp.org/pest-management
Support farmers in collaboratively hiring harvesting equipment and transport that will speed up access to markets and reduce the risk of crop loss or spoilage.
Research historical indigenous natural predators to crop insect and rodent pests. Minimise the use of chemical pesticides. Look for organic natural alternatives – consult communities about traditional organic pesticides. A COSHH (Control of Substances Hazardous to Health) or similar assessment should be considered for pesticide usage. Use recommendations from pest/livestock disease research, including research aiming to reduce pesticide use or plant-incorporated protectants” (ref: FAO Agroecology Criteria Tool)
Use certified fumigation company, approved fumigants, reprocess fumigated products and keep fumigations’ records. For COSHH look at https://osha.europa.eu/en/themes/dangerous-substances/practical-tools-dangerous-substances/control-substances-hazardous-health
Third-party monitoring has demonstrated that food security is often exacerbated by poor crop and seed storage leading to deterioration from pests and water damage. Pests can be reduced by constructing secure food storage facilities alongside natural predators and deterrents.
Fumigation could have a negative impact on health (if habitations are within 100m from the storage space/copper exposed to gas); be dangerous if liquid water is coming into direct contact with phosphide tablets if the temperature is below 15°C if it is windy…)
Storage management plan integrates environmental analysis.
Prevention and mitigation of environmental damage
This requires time to properly evaluate storage requirements, their impact on the environment, and sustainable / low cost / adaptable solutions to meet the need