A silent threat: Gaza’s struggle with solid waste management – UNDP story

Ahmed Dawoud, an internally displaced Gazan who fled from Gaza City to Rafah City and now resides in a tent, sought refuge to escape death and horror. However, he faced a grim reality. “Upon our arrival, we erected our tent. Yet, before long, solid waste began accumulating around us, rendering our living conditions unbearable,” says Mr. Dawoud.

He further explains, “I occasionally attempt to clean the waste myself, but others continue to discard solid waste since there are no nearby containers. My family already suffered injuries while we were in Gaza City, particularly my wife, who underwent spleen removal surgery. Subsequently, her health declined, and her immunity weakened significantly. Recently, my wife fell critically ill, requiring hospitalization due to stomach pains and external bleeding. The doctors attributed her illness to the pollution and waste surrounding her, indicating a bacterial infection, and emphasized the urgent need for advanced medical care.”

Even before the war, Gaza grappled with waste management issues, generating a staggering 1,700 tons of waste daily with only two main landfills to absorb the quantity. Before the war, for example, 3.9 million tons of waste were disposed at the main Johr Edeek landfill in the north; 20-35 metres of waste were piled above the ground. It has been operating beyond its capacity for years, with frequent fires due to lack of resources, and growing concerns regarding the negative environmental, health and social impacts.

In Gaza Strip in general, the number of vehicles for solid waste collection decreased from 112 to 73 between 2017 and 2022; the majority were old and insufficient in terms of quality and quantity to address the needs, with one collection vehicle serving 21,000 inhabitants and one collection worker serving 3,343 inhabitants.

The war has inflicted further devastation, crippled vital waste collection infrastructure and exacerbating an already dire situation. The destruction of waste collection vehicles, facilities, and medical waste treatment centres has left municipalities scrambling to cope with the escalating crisis.

In a collaborative effort between UNDP and UNRWA, a critical initiative has been launched to support the Joint Service Council for solid waste management (JSC-KRM) in the southern governorates of Rafah, Khan Yunis and the Middle Area. This partnership involves UNDP-monitored distribution of fuel and the deployment of workers to oversee waste collection operations.

Over the initial two-month period from January to February 2024, approximately 10,000 tons of waste were successfully collected from Rafah and Khan Yunis. This initiative has contributed to mitigating environmental hazards and played a pivotal role in addressing a public health concern within southern Gaza communities.

By addressing the immediate needs related to solid waste management, UNDP aims to not only respond to urgent humanitarian needs but also lay the groundwork for longer-term recovery and resilience. By aligning our work with the humanitarian-development nexus approach, we can forge a path towards lasting solutions in Gaza.

Tareq Al-Habbash, the Executive Director of JSC-KRM, noted: “Following the mass displacement of population to the southern and central areas of the strip, coupled with fuel limitations and the dumping of solid waste in random sites, operational challenges escalated.”

“Prior to the war, the southern governorates of Gaza generated 600 tons of waste per day, destined for the Al Fukhari landfill. Presently, daily waste generation has soared to 1400 tons, exceeding JSC’s capacity. Consequently, we have implemented two waste collection shifts per day, including collection both in the morning and in the evening,” he continued.

“However, fuel availability became a significant obstacle, leading to the cancellation of night shifts on several occasions. The fuel provided by UNDP has empowered us to operate at full capacity, thereby mitigating the public health challenges and the environmental impact of the solid waste crisis.”