PROJECT DESCRIPTION
BACKGROUND
A World Bank identification mission has shown Syria's main environmental problems to be: (1) water scarcity and quality, particularly in the Basins of Damascus and Oronles; (2) urban pollution in agglomerated cities due to uncontrolled municipal and industrial wastes, as well as poor urban air quality; (3) land degradation due to erosion, the use of fuel wood, overgrazing, and unsustainable cultivation. The environmental impacts of water and air pollution have increased dramatically, owing to continued population growth, urbanisation and increased industrialisation. This had led to high incidences of intestinal, respiratory and other diseases. The situation, if allowed to continue unchecked, can be expected to lead to serious long-term environmental and health problems that would affect the country's social conditions and economic growth. The main objective of the project is to assist the Government in establishing and making operational the general environment directorates for the Orontes Basin (to serve the cities of Homs and Hama) and Aleppo Basin (to cover the urban and rural areas of Aleppo). These two directorates will assist the three governorates in preparing, co-ordinating and managing their environmental activities within their jurisdiction. The project comprises four main activities: (1) Establishment of General Environment Directorates (GED). This will include a review of existing GED structures, assessment of modifications required, assistance in candidate selection, drafting guidelines, strengthening GED technical capacity, and establishing a system of communication, coordination, monitoring and follow-up with local environment committees, the national Commission for Environmental Affairs (GCEA), and the industrial establishment. (2) Environmental Risk Assessment. This involves training GCEA and GED personnel to carry out environmental risk assessments, including health hazard identification, hazard accounting, risk characterisation, and risk evaluation of environmental issues. (3) Provision of technical training. This is intended to complement tasks (1) and (2), and will concentrate on environmental management, air and water pollution, and solid waste management. A workshop for governates will also be held. (4) Solid waste management. This is meant to address the problem of insect-borne skin disease originating from municipal dump sites. Solid waste management alternatives will be considered, and an environmental awareness campaign will be carried out.