Energy needs in emergency response operations

08/11/2010 | Area of work: Green and fair energy supplies

A recently published article by Mark van Dorp provides an overview of initiatives to improve fuel efficiency in humanitarian aid situations, with special attention to fuel-related policies of Dutch humanitarian aid organizations. Also, it provides information on technologies to improve fuel efficiency and the use of alternative energy sources. It is concluded that safer and more effective fuels or energy technologies need to be mainstreamed into standard procedures and budgets of humanitarian aid agencies. This will strengthen the basis for long-term human and ecological security. The article was published in Boiling Point, a practitioner’s journal for those working with household energy and stoves.

Photo: DUVILLA/Improved cookstoves in Tanzania

The article is based on a longer report on this theme, that was published in the frame of an advocacy and learning project on the issue of energy use – with a focus on household fuels – in humanitarian crisis response situation. The FUEL project was set up by the IUCN National Committee of the Netherlands in cooperation with the Institute for Environmental Security and DUVILLA.