Africa is home to some of the fastest growing cities in the world, with an urban population expected to reach 1 billion by 2050. As cities expand, waste management challenges also increase. Unfortunately, many African countries struggle to provide adequate waste disposal facilities, leading to the proliferation of poorly managed landfills. This crisis has considerable consequences, including a significant increase in cholera epidemics.
A landfill crisis
Across Africa, an estimated 70% of urban waste is not disposed of properly, and millions of tonnes of trash end up in open dumpsites, on streets and in waterways. The consequences are devastating. Landfills attract vermin, such as rats and cockroaches, which spread diseases like cholera, typhoid and dysentery. When it rains, waste is washed into waterways, contaminating water sources and posing a risk to human health.
The deadly toll of cholera
Cholera is a bacterial infection that can cause severe diarrhea and dehydration, leading to death if left untreated. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that between 1990 and 2015, more than 1.5 million cases of cholera and 21,000 deaths were reported in Africa. In recent years, outbreaks have increased, with 2017 seeing the highest number of reported cases since 1990.
Case studies: Somalia and Kenya
Somalia has been ravaged by cholera outbreaks, with the worst outbreak occurring in 2017, killing more than 1,000 people. The WHO reported that the outbreak was linked to poor sanitation and waste management, particularly in the capital Mogadishu.
In Kenya, the town of Mandera has experienced several cholera outbreaks, with an outbreak in 2017 infecting more than 1,000 people. The outbreak was linked to a poorly managed landfill on the outskirts of the city, which attracted rodents and other pests that spread the disease.
Facing the crisis
The good news is that there are solutions to this crisis. African governments, international organizations and NGOs are working together to improve infrastructure and waste management practices. Some of the key strategies include:
* Implement modern landfill design and operation practices, including odor control and pest control.
* Increase recycling and composting to reduce the amount of waste sent to landfills.
* Promote community initiatives to clean up waste and improve sanitation.
* Support research and development of new technologies and innovations to address waste management challenges.
Conclusion
The toxic collapse of Africa’s poorly managed landfills is a time bomb for public health. The link between waste management and cholera outbreaks is clear and urgent action is needed to address this crisis. By investing in modern waste management infrastructure and practices, African governments and international organizations can save lives, protect public health and promote sustainable development. Now is the time to act.
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