Programme To Deliver Sustainable Energy To Refugees Launched
Uganda is implementing the Comprehensive Refugee Response Framework (CRRF) - a September 2016 UN General Assembly Framework that was later integrated into the Global Compact on Refugees (GCR). The GCR/CRRF guides member - states to have a comprehensive plan to ensure that refugees and host communities are integrated into national service delivery and that solutions to their plight are sought from the onset of the crises.
Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja has today launched a four-year Sustainable Energy Response Plan (SERP) for refugees and host communities.
The programme will help the refugee attain universal access to affordable, reliable and clean energy for socio-economic transformation in an environmentally sustainable manner.
“We want to enhance capacity, mobilize resources and strengthen systems for effective coordination and management of energy programs targeting refugees and host communities and in line with National Multi-sectoral Policies, Strategies and Plans,”
The energy minister Ruth Nankabirwa said her ministry led the SERP development efforts hand in hand with the office of the prime minister, the comprehensive refugee response framework (CRRF) secretariat, the German Corporation (GIZ), World Bank and UNHCR.
She said the issues identified in the refugees host communities include insufficient access to affordable clean energy for the needs of households, productive use and social institutions and unreliable supply and inefficient utilization of energy.
There is also over-reliance on biomass for cooking with inefficient methods combined with low access to alternative, sustainable cooking fuels or efficient cooking technologies, as well as issues of environmental degradation.
