Identify one environmental or human factor that cause ill health or accidents or disasters within your community or any other community within south africa (a)in 10-15 lines critically discuss5 ways in which the human or environmental problem impacts on the community provide sources to support your claims
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What is environmental hazard
One environmental factor that can cause ill health or accidents in communities in South Africa is poor sanitation. Inadequate access to clean water and proper sanitation facilities can lead to the spread of diseases like cholera, diarrhea, and typhoid. This is especially prevalent in informal settlements with limited infrastructure and resources (South African Cities Network, 2013).
The impacts of poor sanitation on communities are numerous:
1. Health Implications: Lack of access to clean water and proper sanitation increases the risk of waterborne diseases, leading to illness, hospitalization, and even death (UNICEF, 2019). This places a burden on the healthcare system and the affected individuals and families.
2. Economic Consequences: Poor health due to inadequate sanitation can result in decreased productivity, increased healthcare costs, and missed days of work or school. This hampers socio-economic development and perpetuates the cycle of poverty (World Health Organization, 2020).
3. Education Disruption: Children living in communities with poor sanitation facilities are more likely to miss school due to illness. This not only hinders their education but also perpetuates educational inequalities (WaterAid, 2021).
4. Gender Inequality: Women and girls are disproportionately impacted by poor sanitation as they are often responsible for water collection and hygiene practices. Lack of proper sanitation facilities can lead to safety concerns and hinder their empowerment and participation in community activities (UN-Water, 2019).
5. Environmental Degradation: Improper disposal of waste in communities lacking proper sanitation infrastructure can result in pollution of water sources and soil degradation, further exacerbating health and environmental problems (Department of Environmental Affairs, 2014).
Sources:
1. South African Cities Network. (2013). Informal Settlements in South Africa: Understanding the Trends. Retrieved from https://sacities.net/library/44086
2. UNICEF. (2019). Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH). Retrieved from https://www.unicef.org/southafrica/what-we-do/water-sanitation-and-hygiene-wash
3. World Health Organization. (2020). Sanitation. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/sanitation
4. WaterAid. (2021). The Water and Sanitation Crisis in South Africa. Retrieved from https://www.wateraid.org/where-we-work/south-africa
5. UN-Water. (2019). Gender Equality. Retrieved from https://www.unwater.org/water-facts/gender/
6. Department of Environmental Affairs. (2014). State of the Environment Report, South Africa. Retrieved from https://www.environment.gov.za/sites/default/files/soe2014_water.pdf