In the context of the Syrian conflict, local institutions in the north-east have been working for some time to ensure the strengthening of protection systems for the population. Among these, environmental and ecological protection is one of the main axes of engagement in the region, to ensure ecological sustainability through the strengthening of the waste management system - including sanitation - at local and regional levels. Since 2019, Un Ponte Per, together with its local partner Kurdish Red Crescent (KRC), the local authorities and thanks to the support of the Area Mertopolitana de Barcelona (AMB) and the Autonomous Province of Bolzano, has been promoting training activities that have laid the foundations for the first pilot project for waste recycling at municipal level in north-east Syria.
The objective of this intervention is to contribute to the protection of environmental rights and the right to health for the local population, through capacity-building of local administrations and awareness-raising of citizens on environmental and recycling issues. In particular, logistical and technical support will be provided to the Municipality of Hasakeh, which will be accompanied by Un Ponte Per throughout 2023, to strengthen and expand the door-to-door waste collection system, launched in the al-Mufti district of the city in 2022, also involving the population and private companies and cooperatives already working in the recycling sector.
This will be realised within the framework of two integrated projects entitled 'Zero Watse' and 'Gemar Zero' (both meaning 'Zero Waste' in English and Kurdish respectively), thanks to the continued support of AMB and the new contribution of the Prosolidar Foundation.
