NbS in Humanitarian Contexts

Ecosystem services, environmental health and safeguarding, and environmental hazards are often overlooked and degraded during humanitarian crises (e.g. protracted crises, conflict-affected fragile contexts, post-disaster, transitional recovery and development, etc.). Degradation of ecosystems and their services exacerbates peoples’ exposure to natural hazards and impacts from climate change, reducing access to safe, sufficient natural resources needed for livelihoods and undermining long-term development and increases. In addition, environmental and climactic factors play a critical role in the development and trajectory of complex crises. However, EbA can uniquely contribute to developing cost-effective, novel and durable solutions within crisis-hit areas, and contribute to building immediate and long-term resilience.

More shared, cross-network and inter-institutional research, learning and advocacy is needed to transform how humanitarian aid and development is done, to better consider nature based solutions and environmental safeguarding as a core component and strategy. The goal of this cross-network working group is to convene stakeholders across FEBA, the Environment and Humanitarian Action Network (EHAN) and the Partnership for Disaster Risk Reduction (PEDRR) networks to address these issues intentionally and collaboratively, elevating and advancing this work through a comprehensive Community of Practice.

Launched: Sphere Unpacked Guide on NbS

In April 2023 at the Humanitarian Networks & Partnerships Weeks (HNPW) 2023, the working group launched their flagship publication: “Nature-based Solutions for Climate Resilience in Humanitarian Contexts – A Sphere Unpacked Guide”.

Access the Guide here

Sphere Standards are the most widely recognized and utilized humanitarian standards across the globe. They are used to improve the quality and accountability of the humanitarian sector, used as reference tools by humanitarian agencies, advocacy groups, governments, and donors. The Sphere Handbook has been field-tested over twenty years and is regularly updated to ensure it remains fit for purpose in a changing world.

This Unpacked Guide focuses on NbS for resilience in humanitarian contexts, including for disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation. Developed in partnership with Sphere, the guide was informed by the contributions of two Sphere focal point stakeholder roundtables and by the contributions of Working Group members and a broad range of experts. It: (1) Outlines how NbS can provide sustainable solutions to humanitarian challenges; (2) Identifies relevance to Sphere’s technical chapters: water, sanitation and hygiene; food security and nutrition; shelter; and health; (3) Identifies best practices for planning, designing, implementing, and monitoring NbS approaches in affected communities as part of preparedness, response, and early recovery resilience strategies; and (4) offers practical tools and resources for applying NbS in humanitarian contexts.