News - Yemen: A recent investigation revealed the involvement of the French company Total in large-scale pollution operations in Yemen, by throwing thousands of tons of toxic chemicals into the water around the areas in which it operates.

An investigation by French media and the NGO Greenpeace said Total had polluted rivers, groundwater and farmland, causing serious illness among the local population, and failed to report chemical leaks and spills, violating environmental laws in Yemen.

The investigation prepared by French journalist Quentin Mueller and published on the website of the French newspaper "Lopes" said that the Total company exploited its work in an oil basin in eastern Yemen twenty years ago, and was responsible for a series of pollution affecting the environment and the health of thousands of Yemenis.

The author of the investigation said that he relied in his investigation on his field visit to Yemen, the review of dozens of exclusive documents, and his meeting with several Yemeni officials.

The investigation revealed the burial of millions of liters of toxic water, oil spills, non-standard operating techniques, contamination of the country's largest groundwater, and non-recycling of toxic waste.

It described what is happening there as death that affects the land, animals and people, as a result of the leakage of chemicals, air pollution, and the impact of the surrounding areas.

It said that these actions led to a significant increase in cancer rates in the region, the disappearance of bees and birds, and the pollution of agricultural land, which turned into an abandoned place, after it used to produce many agricultural varieties.

It considered what happened to be the greatest environmental scandal in the history of Yemen, saying that the facilities built by the company do not comply with the international standards in force in this aspect, attached to his investigation with several pictures showing the extent of the disaster in the place.

The author of the investigation considered that the information he reached sheds light on the environmental and social responsibility of companies, especially in developing countries where regulations are often less stringent.

It called on companies to take into account the consequences of their activities on the environment and local people, and to take measures to minimize their impact. It also called on governments to play their part by strengthening environmental regulations, and penalizing companies that do not comply with current standards. Consumers also have a role to play in choosing environmentally responsible products and services, and pressuring companies to adopt more sustainable practices.