Environmental and Health Impact of the Oil Industry in Northern Syria
The humanitarian catastrophe in Syria is well documented, but the impact of the Syrian crisis on the environment and population health is not discussed frequently enough.
Much of this devastation comes from the energy sector. Energy infrastructure, including the oil fields themselves, has been a frequent target of military attacks, from parties either seeking to claim the benefits available, or to deny others access to them.
The resulting damage from physical attacks has led to widespread leaks and contamination of soil, air and water sources. In addition, the unsophisticated operating practices, devoid of any health and safety considerations, used by those trying to produce, transport and refine the oil, leads to unimaginable environmental harm, effecting water quality, agricultural production, air pollution and community health.
Not enough is being done to shed light on this issue, or to address it.
The Syria Report article published recently, highlights the problem, citing on-the-ground testimony as well as comprehensive research drawn from publicly available data. It explains that the pollution is due to primitive oil extraction and oil refining methods as well as oil spills, oil fires, and unsafe disposal of oil waste products from these illegal and unregulated activities. This has resulted in ecosystem destruction, lower crop yields, the death or contamination of livestock, and crucially, increasing cases of cancer, miscarriages and respiratory diseases.
A solution needs to be found and could involve the following:
1. Remove Syria’s oil & gas industry from the crosshairs of military conflict by bringing it under an international umbrella that ensures a fair, legal and transparent share for all Syrians.
2. Allow International Energy Companies, with the capacity and expertise to implement best practice, to return to operations, begin the clean-up, mitigate on-going health issues and help to prevent further damage to the environment.
3. Allow the transparent sale of oil at full market prices, the proceeds of which can be distributed for humanitarian, environmental and health initiatives – under appropriate oversight.
4. Rebuild energy infrastructure that is fit for purpose and can contribute to a cleaner future for Syria.
All these elements are incorporated into GULFSANDS’ humanitarian and economic stimulus initiative, #ProjectHope.
We call for greater attention and action from international stakeholders on this important matter and ask for support and help in developing Project Hope for the benefit of all Syrians.
#Syria #ProjectHope #pollution #oilpollution #environment #healthcare #oilandgas #humanitarian #earlyrecovery
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