(CLO) After 15 months of conflict, Gaza's waste treatment system has been severely damaged. Although cleanup work has begun, residents will still have to face long-term health and environmental impacts.
The war has crippled an already limited waste collection system. Access to landfills has been hampered, while Israel’s fuel blockade has left transport vehicles unable to operate. As a result, hundreds of thousands of tons of solid waste have been piled up on the streets.
Garbage is almost no longer treated.
Gaza has previously struggled with waste management, with 1,700 tonnes of waste generated every day and only three operational landfills, all of which are overcrowded. The Johr Edeek landfill is reportedly over capacity, with waste piled up to 35 metres high.
Limited resources lead to fire hazards and negative environmental impacts. Between 2017 and 2022, the number of waste collection vehicles decreased from 112 to 73, with many aging facilities unable to meet the needs of a growing population.
People walk past piles of rubbish in Deir al Balah, Gaza on May 26. (Photo: GI/Getty)
Gaza's solid waste disposal system used to rely on three main landfills, but all were closed during the recent conflict.
The change in population distribution was also dramatic, with more than 60% of buildings damaged or destroyed, forcing many people to relocate to humanitarian areas. The closure of three major landfills by the Israel Defense Forces forced local authorities to set up temporary landfills.
As of May 2024, there were at least 225 temporary landfills operating across the Gaza Strip. These landfills were identified through satellite imagery, social media posts, and official reports. However, the actual number is likely to be higher.
Impact of temporary landfills
The accumulation and improper disposal of waste is made worse by the conflict, as Gaza faces high temperatures, destroyed sanitation infrastructure, and shortages of food and health services.
The United Nations has repeatedly warned of a public health and environmental crisis caused by pollution from solid waste. One concern is leachate – a polluted liquid produced when water seeps through improperly managed waste piles, which poses a risk of contaminating groundwater.
Despite cleanup efforts, research shows that most of this activity is concentrated in southern Gaza, with 600-700 tons of garbage collected each day, while the actual waste volume is up to 2,000 tons/day.
Most of the displaced people – especially those in refugee camps or temporary housing – are forced to live near piles of rotting garbage. Despite a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in January, the situation has not improved significantly.
"We can't sleep, we can't eat, we can't drink. The stench is killing us," said a Gaza resident forced to move to Khan Younis.
A garbage dump in a public area in central Gaza has become part of the harsh life for many Palestinians living nearby.
Abou Mohammed, a resident who lives about 100-150 meters from the dump, is worried about his children's health. "The waste here has brought many diseases. Our children are suffering from diseases that we have never seen before," he said.
He warned of the environmental hazards caused by these landfills, including the appearance of wild dogs, the proliferation of insects and increasingly serious environmental pollution.
Ha Trang (according to Reuters, AJ)
Source: https://www.congluan.vn/cuoc-khung-hoang-rac-thai-o-gaza-post336590.html
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