Human Development &
Capability Association

OBJECTIVES: This research is preparing a proposal for addressing the social determinants in health and climate change in a community dependent on solid waste in the city of Managua (Nicaragua). Taking the social and economic analysis of both the country and the community being studied as a starting point, it proposes social and economic actions based on the social determinants that influence the health and the capacity development of the people that have lived for years from the classification of solid waste.

DESCRIPCIÓN: A social and economic approach model was created that influences the social determinants in health and has a direct and indirect impact on climate change variables, based on the social and economic analysis of the population dependent on waste in the Managua tip; the Millennium Development Goals; the guidelines for achieving Sustainable Development outlined in Agenda 21 and ratified in the Rio +20 meeting; the guidelines of the Ottawa Letter; the documented experience of the Kerala model in India; and the development of Capabilities. These proposals were based on successful evidence from different countries that contributed to the development of communities. This research provides a prepared analysis and work tool to guide interventions that strengthen or create policies aimed at improving the wellbeing of people that depend on the management of solid waste

BACKGROUND: The project to close the Managua tip has brought together a diversity of actors from different fields, with different levels of preparation and different interests. The tip has been the result of the chaos generated for over 40 years by the non-management of waste in a city with over a million inhabitants. This complex mix means that the project to close the tip is a very important challenge for all of those called upon to participate in the intervention.

Although structurally difficult, achieving the engineering solutions related to the closing was the most fluid part of the implementation. The social and economic component that completes the sustainability triangle represents a great challenge with a population a large part of which is deprived of the essential components of wellbeing and lacking basic elements such as water, decent housing, education, human security, etc.

LESSONS LEARNED: Waste-dependent communities experience the concept of sustainable development performing activities that cover their basic living needs, some of which are still linked to the recycling and re-use of waste. This research includes a series of alternatives that promote this population's capacities, rooted in its knowledge and know-how in relation to the use, re-use and management of solid waste

These alternatives could help to reduce the inequality, improving the living conditions, health indicators and environmental conditions.

NEXT STEPS: It is planned to disseminate this proposal in places which have a problem with uncontrolled garbage tips. In the future it is proposed to define indicators for comparing the situation before, during and after the proposal's implementation.