The United Nations has issued a strong warning about the catastrophic consequences of illegal waste flows, specifically electronic, plastic and metal waste, pointing to the serious health and environmental damage inflicted on developing and low-income countries as a result of these practices.

In a recent and comprehensive report issued by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime entitled “Waste Crimes and Trafficking,” the organization highlighted five main categories that form the backbone of this illicit trade: electrical and electronic waste, plastic waste, used vehicles and engines, metal waste, and unclassified waste mixtures.

Reasons for the worsening crisis and loopholes in the law

The UN report concluded that a range of factors have transformed this illicit trade into a multi-billion dollar industry for criminal groups. Among the most prominent of these factors are significant legislative loopholes in international and domestic laws, limited law enforcement capacity to track shipments, the lack of accurate traceability of materials, and insufficient penalties for offenders.

In this context, Candice Welch, Director of Policy Analysis and Public Affairs at the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, stated: “Waste smuggling remains a very difficult challenge to detect, investigate and prosecute. This is not a theoretical challenge, but has serious consequences for public health, as it leads to toxic pollution of drinking water, oceans, soil and other areas.”.

International context and historical background

These warnings come at a time when the world is experiencing an unprecedented increase in consumption rates, leading to a surge in global waste. Despite international agreements such as the Basel Convention, which aim to limit the movement of hazardous waste between countries, traffickers exploit weak controls at ports and borders to smuggle toxic shipments under the guise of used goods or recycling materials.

The report noted that the lack of uniform laws and penalties worldwide makes it easier for potential traffickers to choose areas with less stringent laws and lighter penalties, turning some developing countries into dumping grounds for the developed world.

Health, environmental and economic impacts

The damage caused by this phenomenon is not limited to the environmental aspect, such as soil and groundwater contamination with heavy metals like lead and mercury, but extends to direct health risks. This waste is often burned or dismantled using rudimentary methods in receiving countries, exposing workers and local residents to toxic fumes that cause respiratory illnesses and chronic cancers.

The report highlighted a glaring economic and moral paradox: although illegal dumping, burning, and transportation of waste occurs worldwide, less valuable or more difficult and expensive waste to dispose of is systematically transferred from high-income to low-income areas, exacerbating the burdens on countries already suffering from weak health infrastructure.

Welch concluded by emphasizing that improving communication and data sharing regarding suspected routes, identifying weaknesses in the waste trade chain, and harmonizing crimes and penalties internationally are crucial for predicting and preventing illegal waste flows before disaster strikes.

As part of its leading global role in humanitarian work, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia continued to strengthen its relief efforts during the holy month of Ramadan 2026 through its humanitarian arm, the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center. These efforts are an extension of the Kingdom's long history of generosity and giving towards Arab, Islamic, and friendly nations. The Center implemented a wide range of food initiatives targeting the most vulnerable groups in nine countries across Asia, Africa, Europe, and South America.

Saudi strategy to support global food security

This aid is not merely a seasonal initiative, but rather part of a comprehensive strategy through which the Kingdom aims to enhance food security and combat hunger in affected or high-risk areas. This move reflects the Kingdom's commitment to international conventions and Islamic values ​​that promote solidarity, as the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center operates according to precise mechanisms to ensure that aid reaches its intended beneficiaries, thus strengthening the bonds of friendship and brotherhood between the Kingdom and these countries.

Details of aid in Asia and Europe

The center has been very active in Asia and Europe. In Indonesia , it distributed 51 food baskets in Depok, West Java, benefiting 158 individuals as part of its "Food Basket" project. In Uzbekistan , 410 food baskets were distributed in the Sanat Gelar neighborhood of Urgench, benefiting 1,650 individuals, as part of a larger project aiming to distribute 6,060 baskets across 14 provinces.

In Europe, specifically in the Republic of Kosovo , 550 food baskets were distributed in the city of Mitrovica, benefiting 2,750 individuals, in addition to 200 baskets in the city of Klina in the province of Peja, benefiting 1,000 individuals, as part of the “Food Basket 5” project.

Bridges of goodwill extend to Africa

The African continent benefited greatly from this aid, with the center distributing 1,200 food baskets in Kumasi Province, Ghana Benin , 1,650 food baskets were distributed in the provinces of Koulen, Dangga, Borgo, Oyeme, and Mono, covering the needs of 9,900 people. The aid also extended to Niger, with the distribution of 898 baskets in the city of Maradi, benefiting 6,286 individuals.

Distributing dates: A symbol of Saudi generosity

Continuing its tradition of distributing dates, the Kingdom's generosity extended to Brazil , where the center distributed 1,504 cartons of dates in Mogí das Cruzes, São Paulo, benefiting 188 families from the host community and refugees, as part of a project to distribute 200 tons. In Chad , 345 cartons of dates were distributed in the N'Djamena region, benefiting 2,070 individuals.

In a related context, the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Call and Guidance reinforced this movement by delivering the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques’ gift of dates to Azerbaijan , amounting to 5 tons, benefiting about 500,000 people, which confirms the comprehensiveness and diversity of Saudi support channels.