Dusty roads hazardous to children’s health, rural Fujairah residents say

Those living in Al Halah, near Dibba, are calling on authorities to pave the roads and install lighting as the area is pitch-black at night.

FUJAIRAH // Dust caused by unpaved roads is affecting children’s health and has become intolerable, say residents of a remote area in Fujairah.

Residents of Al Halah, near Dibba, are urging the authorities to pave the roads and instal lighting because the area is pitch-black at night.

“The situation is unbearable,” said Fatima Al Suraidi, a 27-year-old mother of two.

“The dust is everywhere and we can’t control it even if we clean around the clock. The children cough all the time and it affects their health and breathing.

“The road should be paved and lampposts should be installed, as it is very dark at night and we can’t keep our yard lights on the whole night.”

Al Halah, which has a population of about 1,000, is surrounded by mountains. It is 18 kilometres from Dibba and 50km from Fujairah city.

Jamil Noel, an Iraqi doctor in Fujairah, said dust was affecting the public’s health.

“It’s well known that dust may increase the risk of developing infections and allergies in the long term,” he said.

Ms Al Suraidi said Al Halah also lacked a school for girls and had insufficient number of parks to entertain children.

Another resident said that access to Al Halah became difficult, sometimes impossible, when it rained in winter.

“The entrance of the town is located between two mountains. During the rainy weather, the road floods and no one can leave or enter the area,” said Noura Salem, 24. Other residents said building a bridge at the main route into the town would solve the problem of flooding.

Ms Salem also said that Al Halah needed a shopping mall and a police station of its own.

Residents said they had made these requests to the authorities and were still waiting for action to be taken.