Refugees' demand for energy a cause for concern

Dar es Salaam. A growing crisis looms as thousands of refugees struggle for firewood as a source of energy, The Citizen can report.

In the vast refugee camps of Nduta and Nyarugusu, experts have revealed that the lack of clean energy not only tormented these communities but also posed a grave threat to the environment, exacerbating the current impacts of climate change.

Elizabeth*, a resident of Nduta Camp, says the challenges are stark and deeply personal: “We don’t need to keep destroying the environment. Those helping us with food should also think of providing clean energy.”

“The need for firewood has reached alarming proportions,” she told this newspaper during an interview, noting that they are forced to trek long distances in search of firewood, also increasing vulnerability to the ecosystem.

Reports note that the burden of such gruelling tasks predominantly falls on the shoulders of women and girls, which exposes them to severe risk of violence incidents such as rape.  “You may have food, but how the same could be cooked remains a challenge,” says Mr Solomon Kiza, a resident of Nduta Refugee Camp.

The dire situation, Mr Kiza says, forces them to purchase firewood from host communities, creating a complex dependence on the resource, which is increasingly becoming scarce.

As of October 31, 2023, Tanzania hosts 163,944 refugees from Burundi and 89,021 from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, according to official data from the refugee services department.

However, experts say, the ongoing influx of refugees leads to severe challenges, including the extraction of large volumes of biomass energy and building materials, immensely exerting pressure on local woodlands. Refugees rely heavily on wood for cooking, but the consequences are dire, says Mr Musa Balihuta, a resident of Kibondo, Kigoma Region. Furthermore, studies reveal that both refugees and locals significantly contribute to the encroachment of forest reserves, therefore intensifying deforestation.

An expert in humanitarian activities and environmental researcher, Dr Alveres Thomson, said the repercussions of such environmental degradation go beyond the immediate challenges facing the refugee community.

“The long-term impact on soil quality and availability of water threatens the livelihoods of local farmers and fishermen, potentially forcing more people to abandon their homes, and if such a situation is not controlled, it can lead to tensions between the locals and refugees,” he said.

In response to the crisis, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and its partners are urging countries hosting large numbers of refugees, like Tanzania, to prioritise sustainable energy solutions.

They suggest planting more trees in and around refugee camps as a step towards mitigating deforestation risks and fostering a healthier environment.

A 2019 UNHCR report emphasises the importance of renewable energy in refugee settlements, citing its potential to spur socio-economic development and enhance safety, security, productivity, and health for refugees, host countries, and humanitarian organisations.

However, insufficient funding and limited policies on sustainable energy have led to inefficient, pollution-prone, and environmentally damaging energy practices in refugee settlements. While tree nurseries have been initiated, experts stress the need for broader initiatives. “Clean cooking energy should be a priority on a humanitarian agenda, requiring partnerships, innovations, and the development of financially and environmentally sustainable models,” says Dr Thomson. An anonymous government official from the Home Affairs Ministry acknowledges the challenges facing refugees, supporting the need to promote clean cooking alternatives.

“There have been tree planting campaigns that are not long-term initiatives,” says the officer.

He calls upon organisations serving refugees to implement strategies to change energy sources, not only as a measure to combat climate change but also to protect people’s health and their well-being. UNHCR’s Global Strategy for Sustainable Energy 2019–2025 aims at addressing refugees’ energy needs in a safe and sustainable manner by considering health, protection, and environmental concerns.

The strategy aligns with the Operational Strategy for Climate Resilience and Environmental Sustainability 2022–2025, emphasising the need for climate change mitigation for refugees and host communities.

As the world grapples with an unprecedented level of human displacement, Dr Thomson says the plight of refugees highlights the urgent need for alternative cooking energies.

“The global community must act swiftly to provide solutions that not only meet the immediate needs of refugees but also contribute to a sustainable and resilient future amidst the growing climate crisis,” he says.