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Domestic energy is a major concern in most programmes supporting displaced people. To give this issue renewed attention, this event was organised by the Swiss Humanitarian Agency, ProAct Network and the UN Refugee Agency. Key issues were explored from a number of angles – environmental, social, health, economic, political and managerial – on some of the key challenges and opportunities with regards to meeting people’s needs in securing safe access to cooking fuel. The event gathered experts from key organisations involved in domestic energy management: - Martin Faessler, Head of Staff of the SDC Directorate - Steve Corliss, Director, DPSM, UNHCR - Corinne Hart, Global Alliance for Clean Cookstoves - John Nduna, General Secretary, ACT Alliance - Adriaan Korthuis, Director, Climate Focus Conclusions From various perspectives, the need for enhanced domestic energy management stood out: It is time to create new partnerships, new thinking and new strategies for implementation. Moreover, domestic energy management in humanitarian actions should achieve a cultural shift to a “no harm” policy, defining actions not only in terms of emergency but considering governance, livehood and security strategies. Why now? Panellists and participants agreed on the alarming status of health issues reported from refugee communities and on the dramatic environmental impacts from the consumption of cooking fuel . The combination of these issues creates a urgent need to prioritise appropriate solutions. New interest from public and private donors needs to be tapped for innovative financing solutions to expand programme implementation. Key recommendations from the workshop included the following: • Domestic energy responses need to be developed based on an assessment of refugee needs and their own views. • Develop a “Centre of Excellence” which would work towards global, recognised, validated methodologies and technological standards. • Re-activate and revive the SAFE initiative with renewed commitment from key actors, particularly development partners. • Emphasis needs to be given to monitoring and evaluating domestic energy programmes, with associate training on these tools. • Domestic energy should be seen as stand-alone and life saving activity. • Heighten awareness of domestic energy needs, challenges and opportunities amongst donors, particularly from a do no harm basis. ”Building on the outcomes from the learning event, this panel discussion has highlighted the need for change: “business as usual” is no longer acceptable when it comes to refugees and internally displaced people being able to cook their food in a safe and dignified manner. New partnerships need to be forged; new and more sustainable tools and technologies need to developed and applied; improvements need to be forthcoming in the overall management of domestic energy programmes.” David Stone, ProAct Network All presentations are available by themes Health/Technologies/SAFE/Case Study/Finance/Governance For further discussions: ProAct LinkedIn discussion group: Link For more information on this event or related topics, please contact
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