Taiz Faces a Severe Environmental Disaster: An Urgent Call for Action and Solidarity
The National Forum for Environment and Sustainable Development (NFESD) is closely monitoring, with deep concern, the ongoing environmental crisis in the city of Taiz, resulting from the massive accumulation of waste in flood drainage channels. This situation poses a grave threat to public health and environmental safety across the city.
The crisis stems from months of accumulated garbage in floodways and public roads, exacerbated by the weakness of sanitation services, the lack of essential infrastructure for stormwater drainage, and the absence of emergency plans and effective institutional coordination.
The consequences of this crisis highlight the serious public health and environmental risks, including the widespread proliferation of disease vectors such as flies and mosquitoes, the spread of foul odors, the contamination of groundwater and surface water, and the malfunctioning of drainage systems, which increases the risk of devastating floods during the upcoming rainy season.
Accordingly, the NFESD issues the following urgent calls:
- Launch an emergency campaign to collect and remove all waste from stormwater channels and streets in coordination with local authorities and civil society organizations.
- Implement emergency vector control campaigns and distribute disinfectants to residents in affected areas.
- Urgently sterilize water sources to ensure safe drinking water for the population.
- Support concerned authorities with technical and financial resources to enable them to carry out effective environmental monitoring and enforce penalties on violators.
- Engage with local and international organizations and donors to mobilize immediate support in areas of waste management, stormwater drainage, and environmental awareness.
The NFESD calls on all stakeholders to assume national responsibility, recognize the growing threat of environmental pollution, and take decisive action to prevent and mitigate its impacts across all regions of Yemen.
Issued by:
National Forum for Environment and Sustainable Development (NFESD)
