The marine aquatic and community life in Egypt’s sunny Red Sea resort of Sharm El-Sheikh is in danger as a result of a government project along the coast. According to activists and local community group Sinai Reef, a government project aimed at repairing cracks in Ras Umm el-Sid cliff risks destroying key diving sites and large parts of the area’s coral reef. Up to nine cracks had been discovered in the cliff and the government had hired the state-owned Arab Contractors to restore and repair the cracks. However, activists claim that the reconstruction work is being executed carelessly and without the advice of specialists or involvement by the public. “The Prime Minister suspended the work because it threatens the lives of the people,” explains Karim Malak, Sinai Reef’s co-founder, regarding the Prime Minister’s decision to suspend the work following weeks of protest. “Sinai Reef’s consultant Dr. Mamdouh Hamza showed that not only would the undertaken work cost more money, but it would destroy the cliff-top faster and not solve the mechanical threat to the cliff, making it prone to collapse.” Reconstruction efforts were suspended by an order from the Prime Minister…
