This mission report describes the findings of an environmental expert deployed by the United Nations Disaster Assessment and Coordination (UNDAC) network and the UN Environment/OCHA Joint Unit (JEU) following Hurricane Ike in the Turks and Caicos Islands.

After Tropical Storm Hanna, Hurricane Ike struck the Turks and Caicos Islands on 7 September 2008, severely affecting the islands of Grand Turk, South Caicos and Salt Cay. A UN Environment expert as part of United Nations Disaster Assessment and Coordination (UNDAC) mission was deployed. The expert undertook an environmental assessment of the area. One of the immediate environmental risks identified was disaster waste management, and the long-term risks of inadequate debris disposal and management were highlighted. As a result, the authorities requested urgent assistance from the JEU to address disaster waste management issues. In response to this request, the JEU, supported by the Swedish Rescue Services Agency, deployed an expert for a period of three weeks, to conduct a needs assessment on waste management, and provided recommendations on immediate and longer-term measures.

Consult the report here.