WFP to distribute safe stoves for women in North Darfur

December 16, 2009 (COPENHAGEN) – The UN humanitarian agency, World Food Programme (WFP) today launched a pilot project to provide fuel-efficient stoves to women in North Darfur to reduce the risk of violence they run but also to protect the environment.

The initiative will be rolled out next year to reach up to 6 million refugees, internally displaced people, and returnees located in 36 nations.

“Women and girls should not have to risk their lives and dignity – and precious trees should not be lost – in the simple act of trying to cook food for their families. The SAFE stoves launch will help protect them and the environment with practical and urgently needed solutions,” said WFP Executive Director Josette Sheeran.

The WFP will scale up distribution of fuel-efficient and “improved mud” stoves to assist almost 100 000 women in North Darfur. These stoves consume less firewood and lower health risks associated with smoke.

Refugees and women living in drought conditions are forced to walk further and further into the bush to collect firewood. They chop down trees and uproot grasses, harming the fragile eco-system.

They venture out into unsafe areas and are left vulnerable to rape and other attacks. WFP researchers found that some women spend a full day’s wages on firewood alone. Others sell off food rations to purchase fuel.

The WFP said its pilot project will be, besides North Darfur, also implemented in Uganda where it would focus on refugees and pastoralists in the drought-hit Karamoja region, the initiative concerns some 35,000 households and 50 schools.

Project partners include the Women’s Refugee Commission, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the UN Environment programme (UNEP).

(ST)