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.
Biological and non-chemical control of vectors at the location and environmental levels:
Climatic factors affect vector population and breeding. For example, with warmer temperatures vector populations may increase because vectors that are cold-blooded thrive in a warmer environment. Also, meteorological factors affect the incidence, transmission season duration, and spread of vector-borne diseases. In addition to this, human activity can facilitate vector breeding with water storage, mining, deforestation, and poor waste management.
However, biological control can have unintended unforeseen environmental impacts, affecting food chains and the health of entire ecosystems, ultimately creating harmful living conditions for the affected population and any host communities, exacerbating poverty and inequality. The introduction of invasive species affects animals and plants, thus degrading natural ecosystems and their ability to provide essential natural services and resources for society. The economic burden is usually significant, and the cost of trying to undo the harm and remove the invasive species is usually prohibitive. Similarly, whilst biological control avoids chemical contamination of the environment, there may be operational limitations and undesired ecological consequences if the impact of the environmental modification is not well defined and the method poorly calibrated. E.g. Biological control methods are only effective against the immature stages of vector mosquitoes and are typically restricted to use in large concrete or glazed clay water-storage containers or wells.
Eutrophication
Loss of biodiversity and ecosystems
Soil pollution
Air pollution
Biological control can have unintended unforeseen environmental impacts, affecting food chains and the health of entire ecosystems, ultimately creating harmful living conditions for the affected population and any host communities, exacerbating poverty and inequality. The introduction of invasive species affects animals and plants, thus degrading natural ecosystems and their ability to provide essential natural services and resources for society. The economic burden is usually significant, and the cost of trying to undo the harm and remove the invasive species is usually prohibitive. Similarly, whilst biological control avoids chemical contamination of the environment, there may be operational limitations and undesired ecological consequences if the impact of the environmental modification is not well defined and the method poorly calibrated. E.g. Biological control methods are only effective against the immature stages of vector mosquitoes and are typically restricted to use in large concrete or glazed clay water-storage containers or wells.
1. Assess and plan appropriate changes to human behaviours that create breeding habitats for disease vectors or that bring humans into close proximity with animals where disease transfer is a risk.
2. Assess and promote behaviour change where human behaviours increase the risk of zoonotic disease transfer, such as operations at wet food markets; domestic livestock handling, and proximity
3. Monitoring of water bodies and other environments that can facilitate reproduction of mosquitoes, ticks, and fleas
Preventing diseases from mosquitoes, ticks, and fleas through the provision of adequate items (e.g.: mosquito nets)
Remove or reduce the locations where vectors breed to reduce the number of vectors threatening humans, and,
•Avoid source areas (1 to 2 km upwind from vector breeding sites such as lakes and marshes). Drain temporary water bodies if possible.
•Seal latrines, septic systems and drain fields.
•Collect excreta and organic waste including rotting fruit to remove breeding sites.
•Daily removal of garbage and food waste.
•Seal crevasses and access to inter-wall spaces (e.g., around pipes, wiring, and shelves).
•Seal around latrines and septic systems and sump tanks used to hold greywater (e.g., from washing areas).
•Eliminate moist areas and increase airflow to dark areas (e.g., behind walls, attic).
•Remove hosting areas and sealing access to buildings. Move lights away from windows and doors at night. Remove rodent nets from near shelter locations. Place double-sided sticky tape to bed legs.
•Limit contact with animals and vegetation which may harbour ticks. Frequent inspections of clothing and body to remove ticks when present. Clear vegetation from near habituated areas to limit contact with ticks.
4. Create appropriate barriers for the remaining vectors to further eliminate contact with humans.
•Screen window and doors. Use mosquito nets, treated or untreated.
•Place screens over vent pipes from latrines and septic systems and drain fields.
•Remove food from areas where flies cannot be excluded.
•Use traps, including sticky paper (indoors)and cone/bated traps(outdoors), Fly swatter
•Install screens or traps to prevent access to drainage pipes.
•Frequently clean waste receptacles and waste collection areas.
•Regular cleaning of food preparation and food storage areas(using steam is possible).
•Wash clothing and bedding in water over 60 degrees centigrade and dry in hot air. Dry clean clothing, bedding and other similar items. Place items in plastic back and keep at -15 degrees centigrade for 10 hours. Use appropriate shampoo and combing to control individual infestations.
•Repeated vacuuming of infested mattresses, furniture, and carpets. Steam cleaning of infested items and locations. Sealing cracks and spaces where bud bugs may hide. Heating rooms to 60 degrees centigrade for two hours or chilling to freezing and below for several days. Placing items in a dryer.
•Store waste in rat/mice-proof containers. Store food in rat/mice-proof containers. Plug holes and gaps which allow access to buildings (including gaps as small as 1 cm). Ensure screens over vents and windows are do not have holes. Ensure utility access points to buildings (e.g., for water pipes) are sealed. Clear debris and waste from around the shelter site to eliminate breeding sites near the site. Use traps or glue boards as barriers to mouse movement into food handling or habitation areas.
Integrate pest management and use of natural repellents (e.g. lemon eucalyptus, citronella), although this should be done in coordination with environmental and agricultural authorities to avoid affecting pollination.
Care must be taken to ensure that there are natural predators of any introduced predatory species, or they themselves may turn into an environmental hazard.
Environmental enhancement
Ownership and training/education of communities is critical to encourage changes in behaviours. Appropriate awareness campaign should be planned upon implementation with related resources and capacities.