almost 17 million refugees—about half of them children—currently under UNHCR’s care, the need for portable and sustainable light sources in refugee camps is urgent.


A


Te lack of light in many camps can have a devastating effect on refugees’ safety, education, social contact and income. Without light, the day stops at sundown. Even simple activities like using the toilet, doing homework, collecting water or returning to the shelter can become dangerous, particularly for women and girls.


IKEA, now in its second year of its Brighter Lights for Refugees campaign, has taken on the challenge of lighting refugee camps.


For every LED light bulb purchased from IKEA before March 28, 2015, the company donated €1 (about $1.42 CAD), so that UNHCR can provide solar-powered lanterns and street lighting in refugee camps. Te Brighter Lights for Refugees campaign, launched in 2014, raised €7.7 million (almost $11


s the sun sets, refugee camps can be dark and sometimes dangerous places. But with


million CAD) last year and hoped to surpass that in 2015.


Tat money will help UNHCR bring sustainable lighting and energy to over 350,000 children and families living in refugee camps in Ethiopia, Chad, Bangladesh and Jordan. UNHCR will provide camps with solar street lights,


indoor solar lanterns and other


renewable-energy technologies, such as fuel-efficient cooking stoves.


Part of the funds from last year’s campaign have been used to help over 11,000 Syrian refugees living in Azraq refugee camp, Jordan, by providing families with a solar-powered lantern, so they can carry on with their everyday activities. Solar lanterns allow children to study after dark, helping them with their progress in school. Lanterns and solar street lights mean that adults can continue working, running their small shops or other income-generating activities. Communities can have social gatherings during the evening, reducing the sense of isolation and loss felt by many camp inhabitants. Just one solar street light can make a difference for up to 300 people, making it safer to walk around after dark.


ONE SOLAR STREET LIGHT MAKES IT SAFER FOR UP TO 300 PEOPLE


© UNHCR/ J. Maitem 2014


© UNHCR/ S. Baldwin 2014 14 / UNHCR © UNHCR/Åsa Sjöström 2013


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