A Siege of Salt and Sand

The Documentary “A Siege of Salt and Sand” outlines the catestrophic effects of climate change in the Middle East, specifically Tunisia. Desertification has driven many people to abandon or sell their land to sustain their families. It has devastated crops and livestock, led to sand encroachment in public spaces and homes, and caused the spread of diseases such as leishmaniasis, transmitted by sandflies and resulting in external and internal sores. People attempt to protect their land by building artificial sand dunes, but these measures offer only temporary relief. Farmers and laborers express frustration towards authorities and the government for neglecting their struggles, particularly in the context of the importance of food and water security.

And of course, climate change effects in Tunisia extend beyond desertification; rising sea levels have made fishing increasingly difficult and introduced excess salt into the soil. This salination has killed date palm trees, eliminating both a food source and shade for workers. Rising sea levels exacerbate problems in coastal areas, leading to erosion. Tunisian coastal regions are particularly affected, resulting in the loss of trees, orchards, and fisheries. Erosion forces communities to relocate businesses and homes away from the coast, causing significant property damage.