Projects - ENERGYCoP
Projects
UNHCR Briquette Distribution in Nepal

Posted by: SAFE Administrator
Modified date: 11/06/2017
UNHCR Briquette Distribution in Nepal
Categories
Technology field of reference: Cooking
Relevant sectors: Nutrition, Food Security, Logistics
Population type: Refugee
Category of funders: Not Available
Project Description
In an effort to stave off a worsening of the tensions between the refugee and local populations, UNHCR began providing a weekly kerosene ration to all Bhutanese refugee families in 1992-93. However, though kerosene was in the words of UNHCR “cheap, available and easy to obtain” when the distributions began, the price had more than doubled by 2006, and strikes and blockades imposed as a result of the Maoist insurgency in Nepal caused frequent scarcities of the fuel and delays in transporting it. UNHCR and LWF aimed to supply at least 50 percent of the refugee population with biomass briquettes (known as “honeycomb” or “beehive” briquettes) beginning in early 2006. The large, single-use briquettes are made from a combination of charred forest waste, filler and a binder such as clay or molasses. They also experimented with several models of locally-produced improved cookstoves for use with the briquettes. The demonstrations and small-scale trainings associated with the introduction of honeycomb briquettes caused significant confusion among refugees regarding who would be responsible for the collection of raw materials and for producing the briquettes – either the local community or the refugees themselves. Poorly planned trainings may have contributed to the reluctance of refugees to accept the briquettes. In an effort to stave off a worsening of the tensions between the refugee and local populations, UNHCR began providing a weekly kerosene ration to all Bhutanese refugee families in 1992-93. However, though kerosene was in the words of UNHCR “cheap, available and easy to obtain” when the distributions began, the price had more than doubled by 2006, and strikes and blockades imposed as a result of the Maoist insurgency in Nepal caused frequent scarcities of the fuel and delays in transporting it. UNHCR and LWF aimed to supply at least 50 percent of the refugee population with biomass briquettes (known as “honeycomb” or “beehive” briquettes) beginning in early 2006. The large, single-use briquettes are made from a combination of charred forest waste, filler and a binder such as clay or molasses. They also experimented with several models of locally-produced improved cookstoves for use with the briquettes. The demonstrations and small-scale trainings associated with the introduction of honeycomb briquettes caused significant confusion among refugees regarding who would be responsible for the collection of raw materials and for producing the briquettes – either the local community or the refugees themselves. Poorly planned trainings may have contributed to the reluctance of refugees to accept the briquettes.
Location
Unnamed Road, Parche 33700, Nepal
Starting and ending date
Number of beneficiaries reached through energy related activites or interventions
Bhutanese refugee households
Names of implementing partners
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), Lutheran World Federation (LWF)
Funding sources
N/A