POST-CONFLICT ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH RISK: THEROLE OF RISK ANALYSIS IN FOREIGN POLICY

摘要

This study examines the valuable role that risk analysis and disasterresearch can play in redefining national security, particularly for post-conflictconstruction and development policies. Drawing from environmental riskassessment methodologies, this research highlights how environmentalchanges before and during conflict can alter risk vulnerabilities, puttingparticular groups at greater risk and increasing chances for future conflict.Violent conflicts have increasingly affected civilian populations, with armedgroups often specifically targeting coping mechanisms and preexistingnetworks of social relations. Combined with changes to environmental con-ditions such as contaminants, resource stocks or living conditions, long-termpopulation vulnerability may be created or worsened. Use of landmines,forced migration, destruction of housing and infrastructure, and psycho-social effects of conflict can interact to increase adverse health risks, and itis necessary to identify those groups most at risk and provide suitable policyresponses. Case studies from the Balkans will be used to analyze how vulner-able populations are identified in conflict situations, and what lessons thismay draw for security and redevelopment policies at the international level.