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Fuel and Firewood Initiative
Cooking Fuel Saves Lives: A Holistic Approach to Cooking in Humanitarian Settings
Safe access to cooking fuel is critical in humanitarian settings. Without it, displaced people face risks to their health, safety and well-being. Every sector, including camp coordination and camp management, food and nutrition, health, livelihoods or health, has a role to play in this issue--and sectors need to work together. The Women's Refugee Commission has developed a set of fact sheets for every sector to outline the issues involved, the problems and solutions.
The collection, supply and use of firewood and alternative energies in humanitarian settings has been associated with a variety of harmful consequences, including but not limited to: rape and assault during firewood collection, environmental degradation and respiratory and other illnesses caused by the indoor burning of biomass materials.
These consequences span traditional humanitarian response sectors and rarely fit neatly into the existing mandates of operational nongovernmental agencies (NGOs) and UN agencies. As a result, household energy-related initiatives are often ad hoc and do not take into account the lessons learned in other sectors or regions.
- Download our fact sheet on the Women's Refugee Commission's Fuel and Firewood Initiative.
The Women's Refugee Commission has long recognized the need to fundamentally change the way the humanitarian community tackles the issue. With its partners, InterAction, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the World Food Program (WFP), the Women's Refugee Commission has led an 18-month inter-agency effort to build an effective and holistic response to fuel needs in diverse settings around the world.
What are the global guidance documents?
The first-ever global guidance documents focus on the need to ensure safe access to appropriate cooking fuel in humanitarian settings from the start of every emergency. Two critical tools will allow agencies to address these urgent needs. Created by the Inter-Agency Standing Committee Task Force on Safe Access to Firewood and Alternative Energy in Humanitarian Settings (IASC Task Force SAFE) and endorsed in Rome on November 18, 2008 by the IASC Working Group, they are:
- Matrix on agency roles and responsibilities for developing a coordinated fuel strategy. The matrix defines the key fuel-related activities that must occur in order to achieve an effective fuel response in new and ongoing humanitarian crises. (PDF)
- Decision Tree Diagrams on factors affecting the choice of fuel strategy—recognizing, for example, the difference in staple foods and cooking habits across different settings. (PDF)
Read our press release on the international endorsement of this global guidance in December 2008: "New Guidance on Safe Cooking Fuel for Households in Humanitarian Settings Secures International Endorsement."
Women's Refugee Commission leads international efforts to address safe cooking fuel for refugees
We are pushing for solutions that reduce displaced women's and girls' vulnerability to gender violence as they collect firewood. The development of alternative sources of cooking fuel can help lessen the potential for attack.
Read our statement on the newly formed Global Alliance on Clean Cookstoves.
Beyond Firewood Conference
Humanitarians gathered in New Delhi in December 2008 for the first-ever international conference dedicated to firewood, alternative cooking fuels and technologies in humanitarian settings. Held at the Hyatt Regency, it brought together over 100 engineers, scientists, local and international NGOs, UN agencies and academics—all searching for ways to help reduce the risk of violence faced by millions of women and girls during firewood collection and lessen the harmful effects of indoor air pollution and environmental degradation. For more information, go to www.fuelnetwork.org/conference.
International Coordination
The Women's Refugee Commission established an Inter-Agency Task Force (IASC) – the highest UN coordination body – to address fuel strategies in humanitarian settings. With 25 members representing 17 key UN humanitarian agencies, the Red Cross/Red Crescent movement and the major NGO consortia, the IASC Task Force SAFE developed guidance on how to address all fuel-related issues in humanitarian settings.
We also established the International Network on Household Energy in Humanitarian Settings, bringing together local and international organizations, donors and technology experts to share information and best practices about implementing fuel projects in the field.
The Women's Refugee Commission is currently working with the World Food Programme (WFP) on its efforts to ensure safe access to cooking fuel for women in Sudan and Uganda. Included among the numerous facets of the joint effort is an initiative to provide tens of thousands of fuel-efficient stoves to women in these areas; under the pilot project launched in December 2009, the WFP will distribute specially designed mud stoves to 100,000 women in Sudan and 35,000 women in Uganda. In addition to targeting women's immediate safe access needs as outlined above, our collaborative effort with WFP works to promote and support alternative livelihoods options so that women are not forced to rely on the sale of collected firewood or charcoal production as a primary or source of income.
- Read about the SAFE Stoves Initiative
- Watch the 1-minute "SAFE Stoves for Women and the Enviroment" video
Research
The Women's Refugee Commission has undertaken a series of site visits interviewing hundreds of refugee and internally displaced women in Darfur, Chad, Nepal, Uganda, Thailand, Ethiopia and Haiti to determine their needs and preferences with regard to cooking fuel. Their opinions directly informed the work of the Inter-Agency Task Force.
In the report, Beyond Firewood: Fuel Alternatives and Protection Strategies for Displaced Women and Girls, we outline alternative fuel options, firewood collection techniques and other protection strategies that should be used in displaced and refugee situations.
To be effective, however, all strategies aimed at reducing the threat to women and girls should be accompanied by the development of income-generation activities. Women and girls must be able to earn a living in ways other than collecting or selling firewood. Read more about the Women's Refugee Commission's work on providing economic opportunities for refugees.
Public Campaign: Get Beyond Firewood
The Women's Refugee Commission launched Get Beyond Firewood in November 2008. It was a public campaign to bring attention to the issue of cooking fuel, which has long been ignored by the humanitarian community, despite the fact that the food distributed by relief agencies needs to be cooked before it can be eaten.
Read an op-ed by actress Liv Ullmann in The Boston Globe on getting beyond firewood: "Making Life Safer for Refugee Women".
We Have No Choice: Safe Access to Firewood in DRC
The Women's Refugee Commission and the World Food Programme conducted an assessment in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo on access to cooking fuel. This report covers their findings and recommendations.
Matrix on Agency Roles and Responsibilities for Ensuring a Coordinated, Multi-Sectoral Fuel Strategy
The collection, supply and/or use of firewood and alternative energy – and consequences thereof, such as rape, murder, environmental degradation and indoor air pollution leading to respiratory infections – is a multi-sectoral issue which cannot be effectively addressed by a singularly-mandated agency or cluster acting alone.
Cooking Fuel and the Humanitarian Response in the Horn of Africa
Food is the most urgent need in Kenya, Somalia and other neighboring countries today, and the World Food Programme (WFP) and its implementing partners are urgently distributing food rations to as many refugees and inter- nally displaced persons inside Somalia as possible. That food, however—cereals, pulses, vegetable oil and "corn-soya blend"—must be cooked in order to be eaten, and cooking fuel is not provided to the majority of refugees. Cooking fuel is therefore just as critical as the food itself, particularly over the long term.
"Making Cooking SAFE: Addressing Household Energy Needs in Crisis Settings"
An ECOSOC Humanitarian Affairs Segment Side Event Summary.
Safe Access to Firewood and alternative Energy in Kenya: An Appraisal Report
In 2007 WFP agreed to co-chair the Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC) Task Force on Safe Access to Firewood and alternative Energy in Humanitarian Settings (SAFE) together with UNHCR and the Women's Refugee Commission (which worked under the authority of InterAction).
Following the launch of the SAFE guidance material in April 2009, WFP decided to undertake a series of feasibility studies to better understand how beneficiaries, particularly displaced populations, are coping with fuel scarcity and the related consequences, to take stock of existing responses by both WFP and partners, and to propose a comprehensive approach, based on the SAFE guidance, that addresses human and environmental protection, livelihoods, food and nutrition. To date, missions have been conducted in North Darfur (Sudan), Uganda, Haiti and Sri Lanka and Kenya, while another mission will take place in Ethiopia in the fall of 2010.
Cooking Fuel Saves Lives: Overview
Almost 40 million people worldwide are currently displaced by armed conflict and an additional 40 million uprooted by natural disasters. Forced to leave their homes and seek refuge in camps, with host families or in urban areas, displaced people face a series of obstacles as they try to cook food for their families. Despite the fact that the food dis- tributed by humanitarian agencies must be cooked before it can be eaten, cooking fuel* is rarely pro- vided. Women and children, especially girls, are typically responsible for cooking family meals, and their health and safety are threatened every day as they search for the fuel they need to cook their food. The fuel they use most often is firewood, and they may have to travel up to 10-20 kilometers into the bush to find it.
Cooking Fuel Saves Lives: Camp Coordination and Camp Management
In complex emergencies, the humanitarian sys- tem tends to address issues of concern by focusing on individual sectors, such as health or food. However, the Women's Refugee Commis- sion has found that when it comes to cooking fuel, an integrated approach is essential. Recog- nizing the cross-sectoral nature of cooking fuel, the Women's Refugee Commission and the In- terAgency Standing Committee Task Force on Safe Access to Firewood and alternative Energy in Humanitarian Settings (SAFE task force) de- veloped a framework outlining the key fuel-related challenges and solutions across eight sectors of humanitarian response. This comprehensive and holistic approach to all eight sectors is necessary to ensure that displaced women and their fami- lies have safe access to appropriate cooking fuel. Below is information on the camp coordination and camp management sector.
The camp coordination and camp management (CCCM) sector is meant to improve living condi- tions for refugees and internally displaced people (IDPs) living in camps. It aims to ensure that they are provided with assistance and protection and that any gaps in services are identified and ad- dressed. Camp managers are also responsible for working with refugee leaders, host governments and local communities to mitigate potential con- cerns or incidents regarding access to land and natural resources.
Cooking Fuel Saves Lives: Emergency Shelter
In complex emergencies, the humanitarian sys- tem tends to address issues of concern by focus- ing on individual sectors, such as health or food. However, the Women's Refugee Commission has found that when it comes to cooking fuel, an integrated approach is essential. Recognizing the cross-sectoral nature of cooking fuel, the Women's Refugee Commission and the Inter- Agency Standing Committee Task Force on Safe Access to Firewood and alternative Energy in Humanitarian Settings (SAFE task force) devel- oped a framework outlining the key fuel-related challenges and solutions across eight sectors of humanitarian response. This comprehensive and holistic approach to all eight sectors is necessary to ensure that displaced women and their fami- lies have safe access to appropriate cooking fuel. Below is information on the emergency shelter sector.
Shelter actors are typically responsible for over- seeing the camp site selection and planning pro- cess, and for ensuring that shelter materials—usu- ally wood poles, tarps and rope—are provided to beneficiaries when camps are being established. In many regions, they also coordinate the compo- sition and distribution of "non-food items," such as cooking pots and buckets for carrying water.
Cooking Fuel Saves Lives: Environment and Natural Resource Management
In complex emergencies, the humanitarian sys- tem tends to address issues of concern by fo- cusing on individual sectors, such as health or food. However, the Women's Refugee Commis- sion has found that when it comes to cooking fuel, an integrated approach is essential. Recog- nizing the cross-sectoral nature of cooking fuel, the Women's Refugee Commission and the In- terAgency Standing Committee Task Force on Safe Access to Firewood and alternative Energy in Humanitarian Settings (SAFE task force) de- veloped a framework outlining the key fuel-related challenges and solutions across eight sectors of humanitarian response. This comprehensive and holistic approach to all eight sectors is necessary to ensure that displaced women and their fami- lies have safe access to appropriate cooking fuel. Below is information on the environment and natural resource management sector.
Camps for displaced people are often located in environmentally fragile areas, which can be particularly negatively impacted by a sudden influx of new residents. The environment and natural re- source management sector works to ensure that these potential impacts are mitigated as much as possible from the earliest stages of response, in- cluding during the site selection process before the camp is even established. Environment work- ers also oversee environmental management and rehabilitation projects, such as forest conserva- tion, tree planting and the establishment of green belts and woodlots in areas surrounding camps.
Cooking Fuel Saves Lives: Food and Nutrition
In complex emergencies, the humanitarian sys- tem tends to address issues of concern by focus- ing on individual sectors, such as health or food. However, the Women's Refugee Commission has found that when it comes to cooking fuel, an integrated approach is essential. Recognizing the cross-sectoral nature of cooking fuel, the Wom- en's Refugee Commission and the InterAgency Standing Committee Task Force on Safe Access to Firewood and alternative Energy in Humanitari- an Settings (SAFE task force) developed a frame- work outlining the key fuel-related challenges and solutions across eight sectors of humanitarian response. This comprehensive and holistic ap- proach to all eight sectors is necessary to ensure that displaced women and their families have safe access to appropriate cooking fuel. Below is information on the food and nutrition sector.
The UN World Food Programme (WFP) and its implementing partners provide food assistance and fight hunger and malnutrition in humanitarian settings, whether through direct distribution or in exchange for work ("food for work").
Cooking Fuel Saves Lives: Health
In complex emergencies, the humanitarian sys- tem tends to address issues of concern by fo- cusing on individual sectors, such as health or food. However, the Women's Refugee Commis- sion has found that when it comes to cooking fuel, an integrated approach is essential. Recog- nizing the cross-sectoral nature of cooking fuel, the Women's Refugee Commission and the In- terAgency Standing Committee Task Force on Safe Access to Firewood and alternative Energy in Humanitarian Settings (SAFE task force) de- veloped a framework outlining the key fuel-related challenges and solutions across eight sectors of humanitarian response. This comprehensive and holistic approach to all eight sectors is necessary to ensure that displaced women and their families have safe access to appropriate cooking fuel. Be- low is information on the health sector.
In addition to establishing health clinics and pro- viding care, health actors undertake education campaigns on the prevention and management of health concerns, such as hand washing and sanitation.
Cooking Fuel Saves Lives: Information, Education, & Communication
In complex emergencies, the humanitarian sys- tem tends to address issues of concern by fo- cusing on individual sectors, such as health or food. However, the Women's Refugee Commis- sion has found that when it comes to cooking fuel, an integrated approach is essential. Recog- nizing the cross-sectoral nature of cooking fuel, the Women's Refugee Commission and the In- terAgency Standing Committee Task Force on Safe Access to Firewood and alternative Energy in Humanitarian Settings (SAFE task force) de- veloped a framework outlining the key fuel-related challenges and solutions across eight sectors of humanitarian response. This comprehensive and holistic approach to all eight sectors is necessary to ensure that displaced women and their fami- lies have safe access to appropriate cooking fuel. Below is information on the information, educa- tion and communication sector.
The SAFE task force combined traditional, school- based education and the information, education and communication (IEC) sectors into one.IEC is a process of raising public awareness to promote positive behavior change through differ- ent kinds of learning, including messaging cam- paigns, demonstrations, dissemination of printed materials, radio or drama and other creative mech- anisms. IEC is frequently associated with health activities (promoting breastfeeding, for example), but can be used to raise awareness and spread information about a wide variety of topics. Schools and other learning environments for children and young people are also key venues for awareness- raising and information sharing. In many displace- ment settings, school feeding programs are used to encourage school attendance, reduce burdens on families and improve child nutrition.