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Presented at Clark University to the thesis committee chaired by Dr. Marianne Sarkis, Dr. Jude Fernando and Dr. Anita H. Fabos
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Liberian Refugees in Ghana:Environment Security Implications of the Discriminate Disposal
of Municipal Solid Waste (MSW)
MA Thesis Defense
Jenkins Divo Macedo
Presented to
Thesis CommitteeDr. Marianne Sarkis, Ph.D.
Dr. Anita Häusermann Fábos, Ph.D.
Dr. Jude Fernando, Ph.D. 26th March, 2012
Research Question
This study explores what environmental threats are associated with the
indiscriminate disposal of municipal solid waste (MSW) in the local
environment at the Buduburam Refugee Settlement (BRS).
Problem Statement
Municipal solid waste continue to be environmental threat at the BRS in
the midst of the UNHCR/NCS’s solid waste collection and disposal
system.
Background of the Buduburam Refugee Settlement
Gomoa-East District, Central Region, Ghana
The settlement was established in 1990.
Currently hosts about 11,000 Liberian refugees and others.
2000 UNHCR/NCS established the MSW system at the
camp
UNHCR terminated all humanitarian services in 2003 and
this impacted the MSW program.
Methodology
Data CollectionMixed Methods Research
Quantitativeo Survey
Qualitative o Free-listo Pile Sortso Semi-Structure Interviewso Focus Groups
Geospatial MSW Digital Photograph
Ethical Consideration IRB GRB Approval
Limitations Time Tensions
Ethical Consideration and Limitation
Data Analysis
Unit of Analysis Environmental threats of MSM disposal
Quantitative Data SPSS Version 18
Qualitative Data Atlas.ti version 16.0 Anthropac version 1.0
Geospatial Data ArcGIS version 10.0
Municipal Solid Waste IFEU GHG Emissions MS Excel Database System
Result & Discussion
1. Land Pollution“The Central Region District Assembly cannot help because the amount of solid waste that is produced from the camp on a daily basis surpass those that are produced in other towns and as such DA does not have the capacity to assist” (District Chief of Gomoa-East, Environment and Health Unit, Ministry of Environment, Ghana).
“Solid waste can be found in all communities on this camp. Some refugees just don’t care where waste is disposed. This is a sign of lack of responsibility of Liberian refugees” (Refugee in Focus Group).
Results & Discussion, Continued....
2. Greenhouse Gas Emissions Disposed and
recycled waste emits 219,604 tonne CO2-eq/yr
Recycled waste saves -6,028 tonne CO2-eq/yr last year
213,576 tonne of CO2-eq/yr from total MSW
Recycled waste Disposed of waste Total MSW
Debits 2188.91081225606 217414.925084073 219603.835896329
Credits -6028.11820280138 0 -6028.11820280138
Net -3839.20739054531 217414.925084073 213575.717693527
-25,000
25,000
75,000
125,000
175,000
225,000
GHG emissions
tonn
e C
O2-
eq/y
r
Result & Discussion, Continued...
3. Water-borne Disease
“When it rains human fecal contaminants get into the nearby neighborhoods and water sources causing the outbreak of cholera, diarrhea, dysentery and other water-borne diseases” (Follow-up Interview with the Chief Administrator, St. Gregory Catholic Clinic).
“The cases of illnesses here at the camp are very high. So, we do have new incidence everyday of the week of sickness such as malaria, typhoid fever, cholera, diarrhea and measles” (Interview with a Nurse, SGCC, Buduburam Refugee Settlement).
Research Question Revisited
What environmental threats are associated
with the indiscriminate disposal of
municipal solid waste (MSW) in the local
environment at the Buduburam Refugee
Settlement (BRS).
Conclusions
The indiscriminate disposal of municipal solid waste in the local environment at the refugee camp threatens both refugees and local host communities to increase vulnerability to the outbreak of water-borne diseases, increased emissions of GHG and land pollution.
The withdrawal and termination of all humanitarian assistance to the refugee population exacerbates the deteriorating sanitary conditions at the camp.
How does my study relates to IDSC?
Work with refugees and forced migrants
Environmental threats impact refugees and host relations.
Develop programs to address environmental threats in refugee settings
Next Step
Sign and submit MA Thesis to Academic Affairs at IDCE
Submit for publishing
Consider exploring my data to see what next to what about.
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