VEHA

VEHA

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.

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VEHA - Field Implementation Guidance

Welcome
Logistics
Transport
Transport communication and coordination
Distribution and location of facilities

Distribution and location of facilities

Context

Overview
Environmental factors causing/contributing to the needs and affecting the humanitarian activity

Potential environmental hazard impacts on facilities.
Locating the transport infrastructure and facilities near to the beneficiaries and potential disaster locations would reduce the delivery time and cost. However, the infrastructure and facilities would be unusable if it was destroyed due to a disaster.

The geographical location of the infrastructure and facilities do not have to be near the disaster-prone area, but rather nearby as proximity to beneficiaries is an important consideration.

Implications
Gender, age, disability and HIV/AIDS implications

Promote equality of opportunity and inclusion for drivers, technicians, and logisticians including minorities and people living with disabilities.

Impacts

Environmental impact categories

Air pollution
Soil pollution
Water pollution
Climate change

Summary of Impacts
Summary of potential environmental impacts

· Vehicle greenhouse gas emissions
· Soil and water pollution from fuel spills or inappropriate vehicle washing
· Wear and tear / erosion of roads, especially unpaved roads
· Waste and pollution

Impact detail
Detailed potential environmental impact information

The location and distribution of transport facilities can lead to increased or reduced vehicle greenhouse gas emissions.

The location may also put fragile ecosystems at risk of pollution. Unnecessary travel will increase vehicle wear and tear and erosion of roads, especially unpaved roads.

Guidance

Summary
Summary of environmental activities

Share good practice procurement and transport data between different humanitarian projects and actors.

Plan warehouse locations to minimise distribution and reduce emissions.

Detail
Detailed guidance for implementing suggested environmental activities

Share good practice procurement and transport data between different humanitarian projects and actors to promote good environmental practice.

Plan location of warehouses to minimise distribution and reduce vehicle emissions.

Lessons Learnt
Lessons from past experiences

Independent monitoring of agencies responding to the Nepal earthquake found that drivers all came from the same caste and gender.

When this was highlighted, action was taken to improve diversity. This brought an additional benefit of diverse contribution to local knowledge, customs, and even engagement with beneficiaries and understanding of the local environment.

Activity Measurement
Environmental indicators/monitoring examples

# of transport facilities where impact on environmentally sensitive areas has been identified and avoided.

Priority
Activity Status
Medium
Main Focus
Focus of suggested activities

Prevention of environmental damage

Implications
Resource implications (physical assets, time, effort)

Time and resources to share transport data between projects and actors.

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