In an effort to protect aquatic life along the Indian Coastline, the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS), the United Nations Guard Unit (UNGU), the Formed Police Unit (FPU), and Somali citizens have launched the “Beat Plastic Pollution” campaign to remove plastic waste from Mogadishu’s beaches.

The 7km-long “beach cleaning,” as it is known locally in Mogadishu, retrieved 2 tons of plastic debris, including cans, water bottles, medicine bottles, footwear, and sachets. All of them were placed into compactor trucks, hauled to the garbage disposal plant, and bailed out in preparation for recycling.

According to Mr. Richard Oyo, Chief of the Environmental Unit of the United Nations Support Office in Somalia (UNSOS), the beach cleanup was done to protect marine contamination caused by plastic garbage.

He said that once plastic items enter the ocean, fish and other aquatic species ingest them, particularly microscopic plastics. Because fish cannot digest these plastics, they either die or become contaminated and subsequently ingested by humans.

“Using dispensers rather than bottles is part of the United Nations Environmental Global Strategy to reduce the use of plastics.” As a result, we have water dispensers in place of water bottles at all of our workplaces. This will, in some ways, reduce plastic waste littering.

“We encourage all of us, especially local communities, to reduce our use of plastics because the only way we can reduce plastics is to control them at the source; the key issue is to reduce plastic consumption,” Mr. Oyo stated.

According to Oyo, UNSOS is looking into allowing local Somali NGOs access to bailed plastic trash as a raw material for the production of pathway pavers. It will be satisfying its corporate social duty by doing so.

Capt. Halima Ahmed Assir thanked ATMIS and the international community for their assistance in cleaning up the beach on behalf of the Somali people.

She stated that folks flock to the coast every evening after work to relax, swim, or jog.

“We sincerely thank everyone who took part in this exercise.” The area had been poisoned, putting our lives in peril. “Let this activity spread to the streets and homes to get rid of all the plastics,” said Capt. Halima Assir.

Lt Col Edward Tabaro, Sector One Contingent Communications Officer, thanks everyone for volunteering to clean the beach on behalf of the ATMIS forces.

He emphasized that ATMIS wishes to provide the next generation with a clean, well-maintained environment, particularly along the Indian coastline.