2010年-世界发展银行全球_Addressing_Key_Environmental_Hazards_After_an_Earthquake_6页_674kb

EAP DRM KnowledgeNotes Summary

Core Content

This working paper provides insights into environmental hazards and management practices following earthquakes, with a focus on the East Asia and the Pacific region. It draws on international experiences to highlight key issues and lessons learned in post-earthquake recovery and reconstruction, offering recommendations to ensure environmentally appropriate actions.

Key Issues in Post-Earthquake Environmental Management

• Debris Removal:

  • Materials can be benign or hazardous.
  • Examples of hazardous materials include asbestos, stored fuels, medical wastes, and possibly radioactive materials.
  • Local communities should be involved in decisions regarding material reuse.

• Reconstruction Impact:

  • Increased demand for construction materials can lead to deforestation and ecosystem degradation.
  • Large-scale reconstruction may cause pollution, expanded settlement in risky areas, and watershed degradation.

• Cultural Properties:

  • Special attention is needed to identify and protect damaged sites and structures.

• Dead Livestock:

  • Can pose health risks due to disease vectors and contamination from decomposition.

• Worker Safety:

  • Emergency workers face risks from unstable structures and hazardous material leaks.

• Worker Infrastructure Requirements:

  • The presence of a large number of workers increases pressure on water, wastewater, and solid waste systems already damaged by the earthquake.

• Dust and Noise:

  • Similar to traditional construction projects, these can contribute to pollution.

• Erosion:

  • Earth movements may destabilize land, leading to road destruction, dam weakening, and loss of critical habitats.

• Altered Drainage Patterns:

  • Surface alterations can increase flooding in previously safe areas and clog drainage systems.

• Industrial Pollution:

  • In regions like Sichuan, the risk of hazardous material leaks from storage or processing facilities is significant, posing both immediate and long-term environmental and health risks.

Lessons Learned

• Debris Removal:

  • Not all debris must be disposed of; some can be recycled.
  • Engage local communities in decisions about material reuse.

• Cultural Properties:

  • Rehabilitation efforts must involve knowledgeable and experienced personnel.

• Reconstruction Impact:

  • Environmental impact assessments (EIAs) should be integrated into reconstruction planning at both program and project levels.
  • A participatory approach ensures that the priority concerns of victims are addressed.

• Damage Assessments:

  • Accurate and realistic assessments are crucial to avoid overbuilding and waste.
  • Inaccurate assessments can lead to leaks of hazardous materials or equipment failure.

• NGO Involvement:

  • Inexperienced NGOs may cause more harm than good. Their efforts should be carefully monitored and guided.

• Infrastructure Focus:

  • Prioritize reconstruction and rehabilitation of existing infrastructure over new projects, as new infrastructure typically requires longer approval processes.

Recommendations

• Develop guidelines for environmentally appropriate procedures in emergency reconstruction, covering:

  • Demolition waste management
  • Erosion control
  • Transport and storage of construction materials
  • Damage assessment for industrial facilities
  • Management of hazardous solids and liquids
  • Disposal of animal carcasses
  • Structures of cultural significance
  • Noise and dust control
  • Biodiversity impact assessment

• Introduce expedited environmental impact assessment procedures, including strategic environmental assessments, to address cumulative and sector-wide effects.

• Prepare a priority program for industrial facility reconstruction in accordance with Chinese environmental standards.

• Initiate training programs for workers and NGOs on environmentally sound practices during emergency recovery.

• Develop a domestic animal carcass disposal and collection program.

• If necessary, create a hazardous waste management program.

Case Studies

• Mexico (1986):

  • Focused on housing, schools, and ancillary services.
  • Environmental issues included protection of cultural properties.
  • Project design considered environmental eligibility and required prior Bank review of subprojects.

• Turkey (1999):

  • Centered on housing, small businesses, and essential infrastructure.
  • Environmental management plan (EMP) was developed, addressing land clearance, worker impacts, and proper infrastructure design.

• Colombia (2000):

  • Reconstructed homes and infrastructure.
  • EMP included guidelines for environmental management during activities.
  • Implementation Completion Report emphasized the need to avoid inexperienced NGOs.

World Bank and GFDRR

• The World Bank, through the East Asia and the Pacific Disaster Risk Management Team, produced this note as part of a series on post-disaster recovery following the 2008 Wenchuan Earthquake.
• The content was coordinated by the China and Mongolia Sustainable Development and Country Management Units.
• The report acknowledges support from various partners, including countries and international organizations, for the Global Facility for Disaster Reduction and Recovery (GFDRR).