The environmental imact In Egypt & whats being done about it

Egypt is facing some great and challenging environmental problems. These stem from the country's geography, the concentration of population and economic activities in the Nile Valley and the Nile Delta. Currently, the level of pollution creates heavy affects and consequences to the health of the population, with the poorest sections of the people exposed the most. If not dealt with, the degradation of the environment and natural resources will also lead to a drop in agricultural production, which is the nation’s lifeline.

Over the past few decades Egypt has introduced several initiatives that aim to improve the chance of making a positive impact on the country’s environmental matters. In May 1992 the Egyptian government published a national, environmental action plan, which was followed by the first, consolidated Act on environmental protection in February 1994. The Act provides for extensive power to the Egyptian Environmental Affairs Agency, EEAA, in its capacity as the coordinating authority for environmental protection in Egypt. The decrees necessary for the implementation of the Act were adopted in February 1995. Danish-Egyptian cooperation in environmental matters, which dates back to 1991 and is still relevant today has shown to have real impact.

The aim is always to support the Egyptian government's efforts to promote environmentally sustainable development and to minimize the harmful effects of pollution on the population's health. The efforts have, and to this day, focus on three main fields. continuation of support to EEAA, which will include institutional strengthening, training and education, as well as the establishment of an environmental monitoring system. Other activities will comprise assistance to the introduction of environmental taxes and increased support to NGOs. Both Danish and Egyptian NGOs are expected to play an important role in the programme. coastal environmental protection.

The activities will include the preparation of an action plan for integrated management of coastal zones, prevention of coastal erosion and prevention/fight against e.g. oil spills from ships. handling of hazardous waste, where assistance will include support to the preparation of a national strategy, the establishment of safe landfills, the introduction of user-charges and the handling of hospital waste.

In addition to these three areas the programme also included demonstration projects to reduce pollution in selected industries where the expertise of the Danish resource base is particularly strong and environmental initiatives at regional level, i.a. local action plans and institution building in the governorates of Aswan and North Sinai.