In the heart of the Kakuma refugee camp in Kenya, a quiet climate revolution is underway. Refugees who once relied heavily on charcoal—produced through deforestation—are now turning to eco-friendly biomass briquettes as a cleaner, cheaper, and more sustainable cooking alternative, journalist Hamza Kyeyune from Anadolu Agency reports.
With support from the Education Above All (EAA) foundation, a climate action initiative led by Girl Child Network (GCN) and Green Youth 360 is empowering refugees and host communities in northern Kenya to produce and use briquettes made from waste materials like paper, sawdust, and agricultural residue.
Awime Magela, a 22-year-old refugee from the Democratic Republic of Congo, is one of the young leaders in this effort. “Briquettes are more efficient than charcoal, cheaper, and better for the environment,” he said, explaining how his household has transitioned from using charcoal to cleaner fuel.
The project comes at a crucial time as many refugees face severe food shortages due to reduced international aid. Charcoal remains a cheap but environmentally damaging option, contributing to deforestation and biodiversity loss in Kenya’s fragile ecosystems.
Students like Brilliant Edamit, 15, also see the change firsthand. “Briquettes retain heat longer and produce less smoke, which helps protect our health,” she said.
GCN’s Deputy Director Dennis Mutiso highlighted that the initiative is active in several schools and aims to build resilience through climate education. EAA’s Tareq Albakri said the project sets “a practical example for sustainable living” while easing energy poverty in the camp.
Despite the progress, challenges remain. Community members noted a lack of government incentives and support for scaling up briquette production. They called for more robust national efforts to promote alternative energy while preserving Kenya’s natural habitats.
The shift in Kakuma underscores a broader need for global support—especially in climate finance and technology transfer—to help vulnerable communities combat climate change and build sustainable futures.