We Want to Breathe: Dispatch from Gabes, Tunisia
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Dear Friends and Comrades,
We’re bringing you a new dispatch today from the frontlines of protests in the Gabes governorate of Tunisia during an environmental and public health crisis.Pollution from a nearby phosphate processing complex operated by the state-owned Tunisian Chemical Group has persistently harmed residents, including children while at school. dhouha Djerbi, a researcher based in Switzerland, has been in Gabes speaking with families affected by this unfolding catastrophe and observing the growing mobilization of local resistance.
This formerly lush oasis region in Tunisia is bearing the brunt of poorly managed chemical processing-the unusually high rate of respiratory illness and rare cancers emerging in Gabes have turned it into Tunisia’s “cancer capital.” as the conference of parties meets in Brazil this week and next week for the UN climate conference, COP30, MERIP continues to highlight the voices and experiences of those moast impacted by industrial pollution and climate change.
In Solidarity,
James Ryan
Executive Director
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Protesters carry placards and chant slogans as they march in the southern city of Gabes, Tunisia, on October 31, 2025, demanding the dismantling of the state-run phosphate processing plant. (Fethi Belaid/AFP via Getty Ima
Chemical plant Emissions Cause Health Crisis in Gabes, Tunisia
Recent incidents in and around the city of Gabes, Tunisia, have brought renewed attention to the long-standing health and environmental concerns stemming from the operations of the Groupe Chimique, a state-owned chemical company. In October 2025, a surge in cases of children fainting and experiencing respiratory problems sparked widespread public outrage and prompted investigations into the company’s emissions. This crisis underscores a pattern of environmental injustice experienced by the residents of Gabes, who have long lived in the shadow of industrial pollution.
the Chott Essalem Incident and Public Response
The recent wave of health issues, concentrated in the Chott Essalem area, involved numerous children exhibiting symptoms like dizziness, nausea, and loss of consciousness. These incidents were rapidly documented and disseminated via social media, quickly escalating public concern. Nawaat.org reported on widespread protests and demands for accountability.
The Groupe Chimique processes phosphate rock into phosphoric acid, a key ingredient in fertilizers. This process generates meaningful air and water pollution,including emissions of harmful substances like fluorine,sulfur dioxide,and heavy metals. Residents have long complained of respiratory illnesses, skin problems, and other health issues they attribute to the plant’s operations.
Ancient Context: Decades of Environmental Concerns
The issues in Gabes are not new. for decades, the city has borne the brunt of the Groupe Chimique’s industrial activity. The company, a major employer in the region, has historically prioritized production over environmental protection and public health.
* 1970s-1990s: Early concerns focused on air pollution and its impact on agricultural yields.
* 2000s: Increased reports of respiratory illnesses and birth defects prompted local activism and limited government investigations.
* 2010s-Present: Growing awareness of the long-term health consequences and the need for comprehensive environmental remediation.The 2021 report by the tunisian Observatory of Sustainable Growth highlighted the severe pollution levels in Gabes and called for urgent action. [Tunisian Observatory of Sustainable Development Report]
Government Response and Ongoing Investigations
Following the October 2025 incidents, the Tunisian government announced investigations into the Groupe Chimique’s emissions and safety protocols. The Ministry of Habitat and Sustainable Development dispatched a team of experts to Gabes to assess the situation and collect data. Initial findings indicated elevated levels of pollutants in the air,but a definitive link to the children’s illnesses is still under investigation.
The government has also pledged to provide medical care to those affected and to implement stricter environmental regulations for the Groupe Chimique.