The Terms of Reference for Sampling and Analysis Experts describe the key responsibilities and the specific background and skills of experts deployed by the UN Environment/OCHA Joint Unit during emergency response missions.

Disasters triggered by natural hazards such as earthquakes and floods often result in significant secondary environmental impacts including the potential for polluted water and related health hazards. These secondary impacts can pose immediate, life-threatening risks to humans (both local communities and responders), the aquatic environment as well as longer-term challenges to water monitoring and water use for agricultural purposes. Therefore, a key element of humanitarian response is the rapid risk assessment of water quality and water pollution and the mitigation thereof.

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