This report describes a mission conducted by the United Nations Disaster Assessment Coordination (UNDAC) and the UN Environment/OCHA Joint Unit following earthquakes and aftershocks in Haiti in 2010.

Approximately 3 million people were affected by the earthquake and subsequent aftershocks hitting Haiti in January 2010, and an estimated 316,000 people died. The JEU participated in OCHA’s Operational Task Force and provided information to UNEP colleagues involved in the humanitarian response on the ground. The JEU prepared a HIT indicating the “big and obvious” facilities and objects that could pose a risk in the aftermath of the earthquake. Subsequently an environmental expert was deployed with the UNDAC team, while the JEU helped broker the deployment of two disaster waste management specialists funded by the Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency (MSB). Their assessment indicated no major acute environmental emergencies; however the issue of disaster waste management was identified as a priority in the recovery phase, and the experts liaised with World Health Organization regarding the identification and proper handling of asbestos and other potentially hazardous materials.

Consult the mission report here.