The Duweiqa rockslide

There are two contradicting sides to the story that makes one happy and sad at the same time. It is relieving to see the large number of NGOs and private individuals going out on their own to assist and give a lending to the helpless and homeless Duweiqa residents. On the other hand, it is sad to see the government employees who are “supposedly” there to assist Dueweia residents in the rescue efforts, were incompetent and apathetic.

It is promising to see the large number of people going out there collecting donations, food, blankets and many necessary resources to help Duweiqa residents. It gives hope to the future of Egypt’s coming generations. However, the fear is that those potential youth are put down and shoved aside killing their motivation and willingness to make Egypt a better place.

The question remains: If the government is incapable of helping out the victims of the Duweiqa rockslide; why did they have to stop NGOs and potential youth from entering and giving them a helping hand; in terms of materialistic and emotional support? If the government was doing a good job in digging out the bodies and helping out the families of the Duweiqa residents, then their decision to stop NGOs from entering is justifiable. However, since nearly all the Duweiqa residents complained from the government’s inadequate rescue efforts, then it is inconsiderate to block outside help. Needless to say, tension took place nearly every day between Duweiqa residents and security officers. Families of the victims were looking for a shoulder to lean on and someone to trust to bring back their most basic rights and at least bury their family in a decent manner. However, disappointment and anguish is what they experienced on a day-to-day basis. Most of them believed that if the rescue efforts did a better job and worked fast, then maybe some of their family members would still be alive. However, the rescue efforts were slow, clumsy and apathetic!

Newspaper reports state that the cause of the slide came from sewage works, approved by the local council, from homes at the top of the Mokattam hill. Residents’ had previously mentioned to officials that there were eroding rocks hanging over their homes and that they might fall if more homes were to be built. The smaller pieces of rock that cracked off from the Mokattam hill and slid down over the Duweiqa were slushy as they were mixed with liquid from the sewage water.

As with many other cases, residents complain from certain projects taking place near their homes, however, as usual the government either ignores the complaints or justifies their actions illogically for “the greater good of the nation.” Many complained that there had been great opposition against building more houses on top of the hill, but they had been built anyway after being granted permission by the local council. Residents believe that this disaster could have been prevented if only officials listened to them in the first place and banned the construction of more houses and fixed the sewage system so that it does not run down from the hills into the Duweiqa.

“The rock was secure when we first came here. But with the water and wind, it was slowly eroding. We have complained to the local municipality, and the governorate office in Abdeen, but to no benefit. An inspector came in his car, but did not even bother to get out. He looked out his window, and drove off,” resident Suraya Abdel-Qader Ali told Daily News, Egypt.

Sadly enough, this is how our country is run; by mere corruption and ignorance from responsible government officials who only look for their benefit on the expense of the week and helpless.

Complaining has done nothing to the residents of Duweiqa, they were ignored at every attempt in trying to warn officials of the severity of the situation and as a result innocent civilians were killed and others injured. Mothers lost their children, families lost their homes and others lost their future.
One positive attempt from the Ministry of Health was issuing vaccination to the Duweiqa residents to prevent them from getting any infectious diseases that could spread by the ruin
and decay of bodies. Although the government also sprayed pesticides on the site due to the infestation of insects, it was still necessary to take the vaccinations. Although this was a good decision to take by the government, yet the Duweiqa residents had more issues than hygiene on their minds.
In efforts to make the whole situation slightly better, reports state that about 112 families have been moved from the Duweiqa slums to new homes after the rockslide. The First Lady Suzanne Mubarak said that she is personally responsible for providing each of the families displaced by the disaster with a new apartment. However, allocating homes for the Duweiqa residents only solves part of the bigger problem.

There was nothing in their hands that they can do and they all felt betrayed by the local council for not taking into consideration their concerns about the rocks on the Mokattam hill. Knowing that high officials were the reason behind the accident, there was nothing that can be done to bring back their rights of even their families. Like any other disaster that occurs in the country, families grieve and weep but nothing can bring back what has been taken from them.

Better living conditions, crisis management campaigns by the government, enhanced infrastructure and well trained rescue teams are only some of the many big issues that the government needs to work on and improve.

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