Working with Humedica to distribute 10,000 solar light kits....
Earlier this month Miriam Furze, our International Relief and Development Officer went out to Melkadida, the largest of the four refugee camps around Dollo Ado (in the South-Eastern region of Ethiopia by the Kenyan and Somali borders). Melkadida is home to 40,000 refugees (10,000 households) many of whom have already been there for two years.
Lack of light is a particular problem in refugee camps because of the lack of security (living in tents) especially since many households are headed by women. (In Melkadida there are twice as many women as men). It is also restrictive in terms of working studying, cooking, washing, collecting firewood, using communal latrines etc.
In order to make sure they have some light, many refugees buy lamps and pay 26 Birr ($1.50) each week for batteries. These provide poor light which quickly runs out.
Humedica is a German NGO who work in Melkadida camp providing medical aid also distributing some NFI kits. ToughStuff are working with them to deliver 10,000 lights kits to the camp.They wanted to provide these ToughStuff light kits because they realise that lack of light in these situations is extremely debilitating,
ToughStuff was in Ethiopia to support Humedica by providing product training to the 20 refugees who have been selected to assist with the distribution. They will demonstrate and explain the products to the beneficiairies who come and receive them.
Product training took place whilst Miriam Furze was out there, and distribution of the kits started last week.
To read more about Miriam's experience in this camp follow these links:
AlertNet - 'Bringing Light to Somali refugees in Ethiopia'
The Huffington Post ' Delivering Light to Refugees in Ethiopia'
To read more about the situations in these camps and the need for solar lighting, click here
