From the heart of the coastal city of Tartous, 27-year-old Ibrahim Abdel Rahman, an engineering graduate, witnessed his community undergo drastic changes. Since the escalation of hostilities in Lebanon in September 2024, an estimated 472,0001 people crossed the border from Lebanon into Syria. This placed immense pressure on local communities and the services provided by municipalities, including solid waste management.

As the numbers of displaced Syrian and Lebanese people arriving in the Tartous governorate increased, solid waste piles grew rapidly, turning corners of his neighbourhood into health hazards.The community was facing a daunting challenge.

"I used to see piles of garbage between buildings, attracting insects and rodents. It was painful to watch," Ibrahim recalls. He always believed that the cleanliness of a community is the foundation of its well-being.

That belief became a mission when the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), with support from the Government of Japan, launched a solid waste management project in Tartous. The initiative, part of a broader early recovery effort, targeted neighbourhoods most affected by population influxes. Ibrahim was one of 150 sanitation workers hired to tackle the growing environmental crisis.

"This project gave me the chance to do something meaningful for my city and my family. It was not just about earning money," he said.

Every morning, Ibrahim set out with enthusiasm, working side by side with his colleagues to remove mountains of accumulated waste. Equipped with gear and tools, the team moved through the alleys and streets, collecting trash and loading it onto designated trucks. It was not just about cleaning; it was about reclaiming public health and community pride.

"Removing this waste is vital. It has become a breeding ground for diseases," he told his teammates. "Imagine our children playing near all that filth."

Over time, the impact became clear. Unpleasant odours faded. Rodent and insect appearances declined. Children began playing in cleaner, safer environments. The transformation brought smiles and renewed energy to the neighbourhood.

The impact of the project extended beyond hygiene. It instilled a sense of solidarity and collective responsibility. Ibrahim, who once struggled to find his place as a fresh graduate, now felt deep pride in his role.

"This work is vital for our city," he told a project supervisor. "I hope this project continues, because the need is still great."

With funding from the Government of Japan, the solid waste management project has already improved health conditions, created employment and benefited over 20,000 people—including Syrian returnees, host communities, and displaced Lebanese residents—by removing 30,000 tons of waste and creating 300 job opportunities across Rural Damascus, Tartous, Homs, Ar-Raqqa, and Hama Governorates. 

For Ibrahim, it is not just about waste collection. It is about contributing to something bigger—restoring dignity, protecting public health, and helping his community move forward, one clean street at a time.