UNHCR - UN Refugee Agency

Mission

UNHCR is mandated to lead and co-ordinate international action to protect refugees and resolve refugee problems worldwide. Its primary purpose is to safeguard the rights and well-being of refugees. It strives to ensure that everyone can exercise the right to seek asylum and find safe refuge in another State, with the option to return home voluntarily, integrate locally or to resettle in a third country. It also has a mandate to help stateless people.

UNHCR integrates environmental management into its operations to protect the natural resources while protecting refugees. Areas covered include greening the camps, promotion of fuel-efficient stoves and alternative energy, environmentally friendly shelter, lighting up the camps with solar, water and sanitation, and environmental education.

Organization Type Other Organization Type

Contact Information

Primary Contact
 Mr. Valentine Ndibalema
 Secondary Contact
 Ms. Shigeko Nambu
Address 94 rue de Montbrillant
Geneva,
1202
Switzerland 		Website http://www.unhcr.org/
Phone
Fax
Calling/Fax Instructions

Our Focus

Primary Initiatives, Target Populations, and Scope of Work:

In the area of domestic energy, promotion of fuel-efficient stoves and alternative energy have been the major approach, reaching out for many operations in Africa and also some in Asia.

Fuels/Technologies: Alcohol Fuels
Biogas
Biomass
Kerosene
Liquid Petroleum Gas
Solar
Wind
Ethanol, environmentally friendly briquettes		 Sectors of Experience: Agriculture
Behavior Change
Education
Energy
Environment
Forestry
Gender
Health
Infrastructure
Renewable Energy
Rural Development
Small Business
Water
 Countries of Operation:

Our Experience And Interest In The Four PCIA Central Focus Areas

Social/Cultural barriers to using traditional fuels and stoves:

Refugees are often left with no choice but to use the limited natural resources in their surroundings for their domestic needs.

Market development for improved cooking technologies:

Refugee communities are often involved with the manufacturing of improved mud stoves.

Technology standardization for cooking, heating and ventilation:

UNHCR conducts several testings and research in the process of promoting fuel-efficient stoves and alternative sources of domestic energy.

Indoor air pollution exposure and health monitoring:

UNHCR, its implementing partners and refugee communities themselves conduct close monitoring.

Relevant Publications or Studies

Environmental Guidelines. UNHCR, Geneva, August 2005. [Also available in French.]
Handbook of Experiences in Energy Conservation and Alternative Fuels: Cooking Options in Refugee Situations. UNHCR, Geneva, 2002. [Also available in French.]

Our Contribution to the Partnership

UNHCR has a long history in the area of environmental management including domestic energy. We also have sufficient experience in the area of innovative technology such as solar power, fuel-efficient stoves and solar cookers.