PROJECT 091: Strengthened chemical and biological waste management capacities in the North Africa and Sahel region

Context

Appropriate chemical and biological waste management is important in order to avoid mishandling or use of such dangerous materials, with a negative impact on people (contamination), environment (pollution) or security (thefts, criminal activities, sabotage, proliferation).

Incidents involving hazardous CBRN contaminants can create significant challenges, such as: minimising the amount of waste generated during clean up and remediation; segregating waste types; packaging and safe transportation of the waste; and treating and disposing of waste and debris.

Furthermore, these complexities related to waste management are in some countries compounded by: limited disposal and treatment expertise, capabilities and capacity to manage CBRNE contaminated waste; lack of experience of decision-makers and absence of waste management facilities to handle these wastes; hesitancy on the part of some disposal facilities to accept these wastes; and limited resources to cover the (at times high) costs of disposing of hazardous waste.

Overall objective

To build capacity on hazardous waste management in countries of the North Africa and Sahel region with a focus on countries that have not yet benefited from similar previous capacity building activities.

Specific objectives

1. Target all relevant waste sectors to develop in the region a multidisciplinary culture and skills in the management of hazardous waste;
2. To control the risks related to the waste whatever their origins (human, animal, agricultural, environmental) and nature (i.e., solid, effluent).

Activities

Supporting the training of personnel regarding good management practices for biological and chemical waste in the socio-cultural contexts of the region.

Achievements

Project to start soon.