Impact
Better healthcare for people exposed to pollution in Cairo
Egypt Nile Discourse Forum, a GNDR member organisation, is working to reduce the health and safety risks of Cairo’s urban dwellers.
NATIONAL COORDINATOR
Arab Network for Environment and Development
IMPLEMENTING PARTNER
Egypt Nile Discourse Forum
RISK DRIVER
Urbanisation
LOCATION
Abu Zaabal, Greater Cairo
The accumulation of open garbage and factory waste in Abu Zaabal is increasing citizens’ exposure to carcinogens and directly risking their health and safety.
Abu Zaabal is a large industrial zone on the outskirts of Cairo, known for producing chemicals and fertilisers. In our recent Views from the Frontline survey, 33% of respondents from the area said diseases and ill health were the most common consequences of improper waste disposal.
It is a problem that is not uncommon across Egypt – in fact community members, civil society organisations and government representatives all report that poor health is the most frequently reported impact of all
types of threats faced.
As a response to these findings the the Egypt Nile Discourse Forum have provided vital equipment to the local medical centre in the town of Akrash so that people can get timely treatment against harmful and chronic diseases caused by industrial pollution. In February 2022 they installed two nebulisers – that help patients breathe in medicine – and two oxygen cylinders.
There are many patients with respiratory diseases who require assisted breathing equipment and oxygen tubes. The equipment will now enable the health teams to provide an increased quality of service. The organisation expects over 150 women and their families in the community to benefit from the support provided.
In addition, these medical devices can be used to give critical care to patients with breathing difficulties as a result of Covid-19. It is also anticipated that this initiative will inspire neighbouring communities and civil
society organisations to take similar actions to minimise the impact of man-made hazards such as industrial waste pollution.
”I would like to thank GNDR for providing medical equipment to the community,” says Christina Morris, a community member, “Especially the nebulisers – because the smells here of plastic waste, garbage, and smoke affect the kids and wider community very much.”
”My happiness increased when our location was included in the Egyptian Government’s development plan to provide a decent standard of living for citizens.”
Elham Afifi, Egypt Nile Discourse Forum
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