Nairobi (7 October 2005) – The Office of the United Nations Resident/Humanitarian Coordinator in Somalia has announced the conclusions of a UN technical fact-finding mission to the Indian Ocean coastline of the Puntland region of Somalia, to investigate allegations of toxic waste hazards on the shores of Puntland which might have been exacerbated by the Tsunami which struck the region on 26 December 2004.    

The mission visited three key populated coastal locations stretching over 500 kilometers during the period 25-29 May 2005, at Hafun, Bandar Beyla and Eyl. The immediate objective was to establish whether there have been any associated risks to human health and the environment from any combination of toxic waste and the Tsunami, through samples and analysis in relation to humans, fish and marine life, and both fresh and sea water.

Speaking from Nairobi where the samples were brought for laboratory analysis, the UN Resident/Humanitarian Coordinator for Somalia Mr. Maxwell Gaylard said that the mission had found no traces of toxic waste from the samples taken in the three coastal locations and tested in Nairobi .

Mr. Gaylard added that the urgent need remained for a more comprehensive assessment of the natural environment of Somalia , which would include further investigations of alleged toxic waste sites on land, and dumping of toxic waste at sea.

*Puntland refers to the self-declared Puntland Federal State of Somalia , in the northeast of the country.

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