This document provides a comprehensive analysis of determined state-of-affairs and challenges encountered by the cross-sectoral research “Exposure to and impact of environmental risks on the health and living conditions of Roma”, implemented in the period 1 January – 31 December 2022 in 13 poor, informal Roma settlements located in five cities and one village in North Macedonia. Settlements were selected on the basis of previous research conducted by the Association for Emancipation, Solidarity and Equality of Women on the status of Roma people on these locations and available information on the health status of local Roma populations.
The research gathered a multitude of qualitative and quantitative data based on surveys conducted among:
- municipal administration employees in places where Roma settlements covered by this research are located: Shuto Orizari, Kumanovo, Prilep, Vinica, Delchevo and Pehchevo;
- 2,171 members of Roma households from these settlements. Information and data gathered are related to:
- general characteristics of Roma settlements (type of townships where the Roma settlement is located, settlement name, location and legal status - existence of urban/spatial plans for the location);
- general characteristics of Roma households covered by the survey (type of households, duration of residence in the settlement and health status of household members);
- specific environmental risks that affect immediate living conditions in Roma settlements (vicinity of landfills, abandoned industrial facilities or areas susceptible to flooding, air pollution, debris or other environmental problems on the location, such as: smoke, dust, odour, polluted water, etc.); and
- specific environmental risks caused by housing and working conditions (construction quality of housing units, lack of basic communal services and other health risks).
Findings presented in this document can serve as starting point for creation, implementation and monitoring of future policies and measures aimed to address environmental depravation and promote environmental justice, as well as bridge the gap between Roma and the general population in areas/municipalities where the survey was conducted.
