55 sites on the List of World Heritage in Danger

Fifty-five sites in 1052 goods in the world are currently on the World Heritage List “at risk” of Unesco.

The inclusion of a property on the endangered sites list should help mobilize support from the international community for protection.

At its 40th Session in July 2016 in Turkey, the World Heritage Committee has classified as “at risk” sites in Mali and Uzbekistan. The five heritage Libyan assets have been added to the list given the damage already suffered damage and even feared because of the conflict in the countries of North Africa.

INTERNATIONAL PROTECTION
Armed conflict and war, earthquakes and other natural disasters pose major problems to World Heritage sites. It also adds pollution, poaching, uncontrolled urbanization and unchecked tourist development.

According to Unesco, endangered sites may be experiencing “ascertained danger” when it comes to specific and proven imminent threats, or in a situation of “endangerment” when they are faced with threats which could have adverse effects on their World Heritage values.

The inscription of a site on the List of World Heritage in Danger allows the Committee to provide immediately to the endangered assistance under the World Heritage Fund. It also alerts the international community in the hope that it mobilizes to save the site concerned. It allows conservation specialists to effectively meet specific needs.

EXAMPLES OF SITES “AT RISK”
– AFGHANISTAN : Archaeological remains of Jam (2002) and the Bamiyan Valley (2003).

– IRAQ: Ashur (2003), Hatra (2015), Samarra Archaeological City (2007).

– JERUSALEM: Old City of Jerusalem and its Walls (1982).

– MALI: Tomb of Askia (2012), Timbuktu (2012), old Town of Djenne (2016).

– NIGER: Aïr and Ténéré National Nature Reserve (1992).

– SYRIA: Old city of Aleppo (2013), Bosra (2013) and Damascus (2013), Krak knights and Qalaat Salah el-Din (2013), Palmyra (2013) and ancient cities of the North (2013).

– YEMEN: Ancient city of Shibam and its city wall (2015), Old City of Sanaa (2015) and Historic Town of Zabid (2000).

Many national parks are classified as “at risk”, including the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Central African Republic or Senegal.