ENERGY FOR REFUGEES
The Challenge
Refugee communities in Jordan and Rwanda need energy to power their homes, schools and health clinics. Families need it for earning an income, for cooking and studying. Yet, in most refugee camps, electricity is scarce and expensive. The average displaced household will spend at least $200 per year on fuel, which amounts to $2.1 billion each year worldwide.
Lack of access to energy stops refugees from being able to rebuild their lives and keeps them reliant on aid. That’s where our sustainable energy projects come in.
The Ingenious Solution
Working in partnership with UNHCR and supported by the IKEA Foundation, the Renewable Energy for Refugees project will help refugees and their host communities access finance, training, technology and expertise to facilitate renewable energy powering homes, schools, health clinics and businesses, enabling refugees to flourish and move from reliance on aid to economic independence.
We’re working with 10,000 refugees in Irbid, Jordan. Those set to benefit from the project are predominantly Syrian and have fled the civil war in their own country. Many now live with local families. They face high unemployment and low job prospects.
In Rwanda, we’re working with 50,000 refugees in the Kigeme, Nyabiheke, and Gihembe refugee camps. Refugee communities are Congolese and have fled the civil war and internal conflict. There is currently very little energy infrastructure.