Fuvahmulah garbage dump fire: 'People face health risks'
The fire was brought under control on July 12, but even after that, there was stubborn smoke spewing from the garbage dump for a week without interruption.
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By
Aminath Shifleen
Nine non-government organisations (NGOs) on Wednesday expressed concern over the fire in the garbage dump area in Fuvahmulah, which has been spewing smoke intermittently for a week, posing a health hazard to many people in the island.
The fire was brought under control on July 12, but even after that, there was stubborn smoke spewing from the garbage dump for a week without interruption. The smoke had spread to the entire island.
The garbage dump, adjacent to the highway, was engulfed in smoke, but the area was not cordoned off in consideration to health safety. The areas nearby were left unattended without any precautionary measures taken.
Nine NGOs issued a joint statement expressing concern. They are:
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Land Sea Maldives
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Zero Waste Maldives
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Eco Care Maldives
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Miyaru Programme
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Fuvahmulah Surfing Association
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Save Maldives
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The Eco Org
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Youth Initiate
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Transparency Maldives
The associations said that a health warning was officially announced on July 19, a week after the fire and later the smoke had been contaminating the island. During and after that period, the people of Fuvahmulah, especially those living in the garbage dump area maintained by WAMCO, were living in dangerous conditions, the NGOs said.
The NGOs have called for specific action to be taken and to investigate the incident.
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Under the agreement between WAMCO and the environment ministry, a thorough investigation to be conducted into the mismanagement of the garbage dump
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Ensure that such a situation does not occur in the garbage dump management and that the necessary measures are taken for the safety of the people
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The Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) should conduct an independent investigation to determine the impact of the fire on the soil, water sources, crops and vegetation of Fuvahmulah as a result of toxic emissions front he fire
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Investigate why nothing was done to inform the people of Fuvahmulah about the dangers and take precautions when they were exposed to the dangers of toxic smoke for more than a week; the health ministry and the HPA should review the procedure followed by authorities to declare 'public health emergencies’
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The city council and the women's development committee should work responsibly, and ‘without political biases’ for the benefit of the people
