SOCIAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT IN SENDAFA SANITARY LANDFILL

Abstract

Executive summary

The Report attempts to document the findings of the Social Assessment conducted on three kebeles that surround the Sendafa Sanitary landfill. A qualitative data collection technique was used and total sample of 402 households (HH) were surveyed. In addition to HH survey, information was gathered using in depth discussions with Key Informants (KI) and through Focus Group Discussions (FGD). The KI and FGD data collection was complementary to HH survey and it tried to verify inferences captured from the HH survey. Data gathering was carried out between June and July 2016 by fielding a trained survey team. The details of methodology including the survey instruments are outlined in the report. SPSS software package was used in data entering, processing and in depth analysis.

Areas assessed in this study include the general household profile, perceived opportunities created as a result of landfill, changes in noise, odor, noise, traffic, impact on health and livelihood status. Result showed that 61.9 % of respondents believe the landfill site has not improved their livelihood. Compensation money paid for HHs was not invested well, and HHs have not received support to enter the job market and sustain a robust livelihood. Those who remained on their land also report reduced agricultural productivity due to dust during construction and reduced on-farm labor time due to landfill and leachate odor. Hence 115 respondents in Akaki Kile Kebele and 90 respondents in Kura Jida Kebeles have reported reduced agricultural productivity. Odor is the most complained impact of the landfill on the area with 90% of respondents reporting it as a significant community nuisance. Communities have also reported impact on their health and their livestock with respiratory tract problems taking the largest share on humans. Besides visible impacts the odor impacts on social ceremonies and gatherings. The study has also assessed labor occupational hazard and safety issues and impact on schools. The assessment also disclosed that inadequate institutional capacity and coordination within key government agencies, coupled with a lack of clear roles and responsibilities, has resulted in an absence of clear leadership on who will address grievances that arise as the landfill continues to operate. We recommend that the project office increase its interaction with public by designing and implementing stakeholder engagement plan, public days, and organizing school visits. Transparency is also needed as to how and where decisions are made and communities should actively involve in this decision-making processes. We also recommend increased finance and human resource for health offices around the area to work with communities to cop up and avoid negative impacts of the landfill. Livelihood restoration plan and skills training should also be rolled for those HHs and youth groups who have lost their livelihoods to find non-farm employment inside the landfill site and elsewhere.