Abstract
The authors analyze the international landscape for preparing for and responding to the environmental dimensions of disasters and complex emergencies in mountain areas, drawing from lessons learnt over 25 years of partnership between the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) and the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). The article discusses trends and patterns over space and time, explores best and worst practices, and offers insights into some of the key challenges and the recommended way forward. Access constraints, strengthened national ownership, increased regional capacities and partnerships, decentralization and localization strategies require the international humanitarian community to rethink its service delivery models. Against the backdrop of the climate crisis and a rapidly changing humanitarian landscape, the authors reflect on some of the key factors that will shape the future of international assistance and required steps for the international community to remain agile and fit for purpose while augmenting local, national, and regional capacities on preparedness for and response to environmental challenges in mountain areas.