Sustainable innovation for environmental recovery in Yemen's IDP camps
Ahmed Husain/ DRC
Posted on 22 Oct 2024
In the tenth year of the war in Yemen, displaced people in camps of Lahj governorate continue to face major challenges due to the accumulation of waste. With reduced support from humanitarian organizations, clean-up efforts in the camps are limited but the amount of waste generated per week is still approximately 10m3.
With temperatures reaching up to 37°C, the situation has deteriorated further. Due to the piling up of garbage, there are often foul odours, as well as an increased risk of water points being contaminated and potential infestations of flies and mosquitoes. This has led to the increase of diseases like cholera and fevers among camp residents.
Upon entering Al Rabat camp, you are greeted by blisteringly hot sand, the stench of rotting waste, and the unsettling sight of garbage piled throughout the camp. Swarms of flies fill the air, intensifying the already dire situation for displaced residents, adding to their daily suffering.
Al Rabat camp at the time when garbage is collected. Photo by Ahmed Husain/ DRC.
Abdou's Story
Abdou is a 50-year-old displaced resident living in Al Rabat camp and serves as a member of the community committee. These committees are groups formed within displacement settings. They collaborate with camp management to ensure that the displaced population is actively engaged in addressing issues that affect their daily lives.
"The garbage accumulation has led to the appearance of mosquitoes and flies, an increase in the contamination of exposed foods, and diseases starting to spread in the camp like cholera, dengue fever and food poisoning," Abdou says.
The foul odours that permeate the camp, which are especially noticeable during meal times, have become unbearable,
/ Abdou, a displaced resident living in Al Rabat camp
The garbage piled in Al Rabat camp before the intervention of DRC. Photo by Ahmed Husain/ DRC.
Salwa's Story
Salwa, a 47-year-old mother of 11 children, fled to Al Rabat camp after her daughter's house in Hodeidah was bombed in 2017. This marked her first experience with displacement. Salwa shared that her children are prevented from going outside to play due to the fear of exposure to the waste. As a result, her children are confined to their small, heat-trapping tent, which Salwa describes as a prison for them.
Salwa expressed, "I faced great difficulties with my children when they tried to go out to play, as garbage is piled up everywhere around the tents; and it is their only place to play, which led to them constantly getting sick. I had to keep them confined in the tent to avoid that."
"Due to the high temperatures, we often went out in front of our tent in the evening to enjoy the outdoors and the cool breeze to escape the heat, but with the presence of the garbage, the situation was tragic as the foul odours made it unbearable. We no longer enjoy those moments, rather they have turned into suffering," she adds.
The point where the garbage collected from the camp is given to the cleaning fund.
Ahmed Husain/ DRC
The Danish Refugee Council (DRC) manages Al Rabat camp, home to over 3,000 individuals, in Lahj governorate through its Camp Coordination and Camp Management (CCCM) team.
Residents encounter significant challenges due to waste accumulation and insufficient sanitation efforts. The idea for a waste management project stemmed from focus group discussions at Al Rabat camp, involving active participation from displaced individuals.
These included members of the community committee as well as other displaced men and women at the camp. The initiative aimed to address the pressing issue of waste build-up and develop practical solutions.
With the humanitarian support of the European Union (EU), a garbage collection vehicle was provided, and managed by the camp’s Maintenance and Sanitation Committee.
Residents also committed to contributing 500 Yemeni riyals (equivalent to 0.35 USD) per household each month for fuel and garbage bags. Additionally, awareness sessions were conducted to promote cleanliness and proper waste disposal practices.
"In response to the displaced community's call, we found ourselves in urgent need to intervene, aiming to improve their conditions and ensure a dignified life for them. In addition to purchasing a garbage collection vehicle as one of the sustainable aspects of the project, we found it essential to empower the displaced community and provide them with necessary support, alongside the organization's efforts." Ammar Ahmed, DRC Camp Management Team Leader says.
By providing continuous awareness in the camp and promoting the concept of cleanliness and environmental preservation, we seek to offer a comprehensive program that contributes to improving their quality of life and enhancing their security,
/ Ammar Ahmed, DRC Camp Management Team Leader
Ahmed Husain/ DRC.
One of the notable achievements of this project is that foul smells have decreased, additionally, cleanliness in the camp has significantly improved. Families have even praised the better health of themselves and their children.
"I remember that my children were always sick due to the waste and its accumulation, but now the situation is much better as we feel that we live in a cleaner environment than before," Salwa says.
A new mechanism was adopted in the camp where garbage collection begins daily with the sounding of a whistle to signal the start. DRC has coordinated with the Tuban Cleaning Fund, in collaboration with the Lahj Executive Unit to identify official waste disposal points in the designated areas surrounding the camp.
One of the challenges faced by DRC’s CCCM team is the lack of commitment from the Cleaning Fund. This is a governorate fund that is meant to be responsible for waste management, however, often waste is not collected on time, which leads to the accumulation of garbage outside the camp.
As such DRC sometimes seeks support from WASH partners to support waste disposal efforts. To truly tackle this issue, it is essential that other partners active in the area come together to provide the necessary support to improve living conditions in the IDP camps and reduce the spread of diseases and epidemics.
DRC, is the lead member of the Yemen Displacement Response (YDR) Consortium. In this YDR project, supported by the EU through its Humanitarian Aid Operations, DRC intervened to support 561 families living in Al Rabat camp with waste management services.
The community committee collects garbage at Al Rabat camp with a vehicle supported by DRC. Photo by Ahmed Husain/ DRC.
