A decade of war in Yemen has had multifaceted impacts on people, institutions, and the environment. The solid waste sector has also been severely affected, yet remains not so widely discussed. The country’s waste management system is on the verge of collapse, facing weak institutional capacity, disrupted policy implementation and a chronic lack of adequate collection, disposal, and treatment facilities. Combined with rapid population growth, outdated data, and chronic funding shortages, this has led to widespread uncontrolled dumping, burning, and landfilling of waste – all bringing with them severe environmental and public health risks:
“Through satellite analysis, we were able to investigate the immense expansion of solid waste dumps throughout the country,“ says Marie Schellens, Remote Sensing expert at PAX. “Between 2014 and 2024, the number of dumpsites more than doubled, from 213 to 473 sites.” A total area of 15.6 km² is now covered by garbage, compared to 6.3 km² in 2014.
The report’s six case studies provide a local deep dive showing how untreated solid waste contaminates the air, scarce water resources, protected natural areas, and land used for agriculture – threatening Yemeni agriculture-based livelihoods and undermining the income of vulnerable communities. Furthermore, concentrations of bacteria and disease-carrying vectors in untreated waste result in repeated disease outbreaks, while frequent burning of waste causes respiratory and cardiovascular diseases for people living close to or scavenging from the waste dumps.
Besides undermining human security and livelihoods, solid waste mismanagement also contributes to local tensions and erodes trust in public institutions. Public discontent about the inability of Yemeni authorities to respond adequately to waste challenges is evidenced by repeated demonstrations over the lack of service provision in Yemeni cities.
Elias Kharma, Research Analyst at the European Institute of Peace, notes that “solid waste governance is a critical, but often overlooked entry point for environmental peacebuilding.” In particular, the report lays out three entry points for how improved solid waste management can support both peacebuilding and recovery in Yemen:
- fostering collaboration and social cohesion through community involvement;
- strengthening governance and trust via technical cooperation;
- unlocking economic opportunities through investments in waste infrastructure.
Together, these approaches can enhance community resilience, rebuild trust in institutions, and support lasting stability. The report offers concrete policy recommendations for local and national policymakers, donors, and international and multilateral organisations on how to support peace and recovery in Yemen through improved waste management.
The report was presented during a webinar on september, 10th. You can view it below.
