Innovative Technology for Refugee Protection - UNHCR 2013

This project aims to improve the safety of women and children living in refugee camps. In Sub-Saharan Africa six out of ten refugees live in camps; 72 of these camps have no electricity. Darkness provides cover for crime and vandalism and puts women and girls at risk of rape and sexual violence. The United Nations Refugee Agency has been involved in the development of an innovative eco-friendly solution that provides solar street lamps solar lanterns and fuel-efficient stoves. With Canada's support the project provides refugees and displaced persons with solar street lamps solar lanterns and clean cooking stoves and assist over 200 000 people. It also seeks to reduce the loss of environmental resources and improve educational outcomes for children.

Expected outputs include: 166 300 refugees benefit from fuel-efficient stoves that require less firewood; 282 000 children/families receive solar lanterns; 826 streetlights installed in refugee camps to ensure greater safety; refugee committees set up to carry out maintenance of the lighting and stoves; refugee committees trained on simple repairs and maintenance of lighting and stoves. The expected intermediate outcome is reduced vulnerability of crisis-affected people especially women and children.