A Roma settlement in Jarovnice is separated from the rest of Slovakian

neighbours by a stream which is  contains waste disposals, as  waste

collection services are denied for the Roma [1]. Moreover,  there is

also a municipal waste disposal situated close to the settlement  [6].

The Roma  settled in the area after the Word War II,  just next next to forests, in the middle of fields or on river banks: these were the only places where they were allowed to settle down and start over [4]. But  their neighbourhood  until today (2019) is dotted with poverty and institutional deprivation  and oppression [1]. The Roma do not have access to clean water either and the stream on their side is polluted and filled with waste [1] [2] [3]. Additionally, wooden toilets are build on the bank of the river, and the waste goes directly into the river waters [8]. The Roma collect and use the polluted water, because there is no other water available for them [7] [8]. 

Furthermore, mismanagement of near forests and water catchment areas, clear cutting and illegal logging are environmental problems with impacts on the water- retention capacity in the area contributing to flood intensity, to which Roma settlements are exposed to as well [5]. In 1998, there was a flooding period in which 48 people died. But 45 people from the 48 were Roma [5]. 

The settlement is built on land which cannot be classified as a wetland; it is solid ground. But,  digging a hole deeper than a meter would be immediately flooded by groundwater, and thus is not suitable for construction of normal bricked or wooden houses requiring a solid basement [1]. On the muddy ground, the Roma live in shacks on an adjacent field [1]. A rickety steel bridge connects two sides of the settlement, where Roma children often play [1]. 

Approximately 400 Roma live on this small "island"  in the lower part of the village. Approximately 25 huts, mud houses and shelters occupy a 200 m3 space on the "island" [6]. Since a landfill for municipal waste is located on the slope area. Hence, the space is overcrowded and the soil and water are likely contaminated from landfill runoff [6].

There is no a particular development project taking place in this case. However the Roma and the settlement they live in is vulnerable exposure to toxic substances from the landfill located near by, to polluted river by the waste and wooden toilets, as well as to floods [1] [2] [3] [7]. There is no access access to potable water and municipal waste management practices are discriminatory [5] [7] [8].