2016年-查塔姆研究所_The_Energy_Situation_in_the_Dadaab_and_Goudoubo_Refugee_Camps_11页_492kb

The Energy Situation in Goudoubo Refugee Camp, Burkina Faso

Core Content

This document presents the findings of a field study conducted in 2015 on the energy situation in Goudoubo refugee camp, Burkina Faso, as part of the Moving Energy Initiative (MEI). The study was carried out by Practical Action Consulting and supported by Chatham House and other partners. The goal of the MEI is to improve energy access for displaced populations in a sustainable, cost-effective, and respectful manner, while also benefiting host communities and promoting income generation and knowledge transfer.

Key Findings

Refugee Camp Overview

• Goudoubo refugee camp hosts over 10,000 refugees.
• The camp was established due to political and military unrest in Mali, leading to a mass exodus into Burkina Faso.
• It is located a few kilometers northwest of Dori, the capital of the Sahel Region.

Energy Management

• The UNHCR is responsible for energy in the camp, with HELP as the implementation partner.
• There is no grid connection, and on-site administrative offices lack electricity.
• Activities are conducted using pen and paper or mobile phones due to the lack of reliable power.

Energy Consumption and Expenditure

• The average monthly energy expenditure per household is US$7–10, leading to an annual expenditure of up to US$366,360 for the entire camp.
• Cooking accounts for 65% of energy spending, followed by charcoal (30%) and batteries (4%).
• Firewood is the primary fuel, with 89% of households using it, and 10% using charcoal.
• Refugees consume an average of 177 kg of firewood per month, totaling 6,500 tonnes annually in the camp.

Lighting

• Solar lamps are the most common lighting source, used by 59% of households.
• 96% of these lamps were distributed for free by the UNHCR in 2014.
• Only 2.3% of households have a solar home system (SHS), with most purchased on credit.
• Flashlights are the second most common lighting source, used by 30% of households.

Mobile Communication

• 80% of refugee households own a mobile phone.
• 40% charge phones at kiosks outside the camp, 37% use solar lanterns at home.
• A mobile phone charging business could generate up to US$2,586 per month.

Refugee Aspirations

• Refugees are willing to pay for reliable electricity for lighting, phone charging, and entertainment.
• A one-time fee of US$10 and a monthly fee of US$3.6 are acceptable for access to electricity.
• There is interest in pay-as-you-go schemes, especially for lighting and portable technology.

Gender-Differentiated Needs

• Women bear the main responsibility for collecting fuel, cooking, and caring for children.
• They face health risks from wood-burning fires and mobility restrictions after dark.
• Only 61% of women have mobile phones, compared to 85% of men.
• Children and youth lack sufficient lighting for study, limiting their educational opportunities.

Energy Businesses

• There are no formal energy businesses within the camp.
• Refugees participate in three informal activities: improved cookstove production, mobile phone charging, and second-hand technology sales.
• A proposed entertainment center powered by photovoltaic (PV) cells could serve as a hub for social and educational activities.

Community Services

• Three diesel generators provide power for water pumping and the health facility.
• The school in the camp is powered by small PV cells donated by JICA.
• Lack of street lighting affects safety and mobility, especially for women and girls.

Main Recommendations

• Improve energy data collection at the household and management levels to inform future interventions.
• Map available energy resources (sun, wind, wood, LPG, etc.) and assess local costs for fuels and appliances.
• Analyze the market for fuels and appliances both locally and nationally, including supply chains and policies.
• Ensure that energy improvements benefit both refugees and host communities, promoting collaboration between camp administration and local government.
• Conduct market analysis of local businesses that supply energy, particularly focusing on mobile charging kiosks and other potential opportunities.

Conclusion

The study highlights the importance of addressing energy poverty in Goudoubo refugee camp, with a focus on cooking and lighting solutions. It also emphasizes the interconnectedness of energy economies between the camp and host communities. The MEI aims to develop an integrated energy plan and energy market development plan to support the design of low-carbon energy projects in the future.