State calls for support to promote use of green energy in Kenya's refugee camps

The state on Monday made an urgent appeal to development partners and the private sector to support the Government of Kenya, through the Department of Refugees Services, in promoting the use of green energy sources within the refugee camps.

The Commissioner for Refugee Affairs John Burugu, who spoke at the 3rd Humanitarian Energy Conference in Nairobi made the urgent plea aimed at promoting the use of green energy sources within the refugee camps.

The Commissioner highlighted how the prolonged refugee dependency on firewood as a source of fuel massively affected the fragile ecosystem.

"The use of Green energy as an alternative will not only address energy needs but also improve sustainable environmental management in these communities," he said.

The Humanitarian Energy Conference and the plea by the government to the private sector and development partners come at a time when the refugee host communities, wildlife conservancy groups and political leaders in Garissa and Wajir counties expressed concern and called for urgent intervention on the degradation of the environment at the refugee camps.

The 2024 Humanitarian Conference organised by the United Nations Institute for Training and Research and the Global Platform Action aims to drive forward the humanitarian energy agenda by convening a diverse range of stakeholders to foster collective action, catalyse political commitments, forge partnerships and mobilise resources for refugee support.

The governments call for support also coincided with Cabinet Secretary for Environment, Climate Change and Forestry Aden Duale's meeting with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Country Director-Kenya, Buren Caroline to discuss the environmental crisis in the fragile Arid and Semi-Arid Lands ecosystems and push for urgent intervention.

"The UNHCR must take its global mandate and responsibility to immediately end the destruction of trees by providing alternative sources of fuel energy for refugee camps in Wajir, Garissa and Turkana counties," said the CS who disclosed the discussions on his social media platform.

He said the agency should develop a clear plan for tree restoration in degraded areas, working closely with government agencies and host communities.