Compilation of Climate Justice Advocacy
Good Practices of Local to Global Action
Overview
PROJECT DURATION
August 2018 to December 2020
BUDGET AND FUNDING
EUR 2,131,800, Bread for the World
IMPLEMENTATION
The Lutheran World Federation
SNAPSHOT
The project succesfully extended electriciy access to 45 schools in the refugee camps and local community, improving essential services such as lighting, equipment operation, and ventilation for better student engagement, replacing unsustainable generator power previously relied upon due to lack of grid electricity. The provision of renewable energy systems and electronic learning devices to schools in Dadaab and Kakuma refugee camps is designed to address adaptation, mitigation, and climate justice advocacy. Kenyan Dadaab and Kakuma Refugee Camps receive a vast influx of refugees from neighboring countries like South Sudan, Ethiopia, and Somalia. These camps face challenges due to a lack of electricy in most schools, as they are not connected to the national power grid.
This project is highly relevant as it pioneers a greening of the humanitarian sector, with a focus on leveraging technology to provide renewable power and electronic learning resources in the camp and local community schools.
Moreover, the project encouraged sustainable practices such as tree planting and implemented e-learning to reduce the consumption of 10,000 textbooks, reducing the demand for paper and avoiding tree cutting.
This approach is also relevant in this scenario, as the refugee camps are in a semi-arid area and the communities rely heavily on timber for cooking and construction, which is unsustainable and a major concern for the government, who hasve considered closing the camps for to mitigate this.
The LWF implemented this project in Dadaab and Kakuma Refugee Camps, where access to power was limited, and provided solar power for 45 schools. This initiative aimed to offer lighting, ventilation, and access to e-learning and social media platforms for students.
The LWF also introduced KIO kits, the ready-to-use digital education toolboxes, designed for schools in low-income communities in primarily emerging markets. This technology functions offline and serves as internet hotspots, enhancing the learning experience in Kakuma Refugee Camp.
The kits come packed with 40 Kio tablets, preloaded with engaging educational content divided into three key sections: academic content aligned to the local curriculum, games that stimulate critical thinking, and content focused on responsible citizenship and environmental conservation. Each case offers storage and charging for the tablets.
KIO tablets are locked to prevent theft and ensure digital child safety. The learners have their own devices, and there is a master device for teachers that can be used to initiate learning and control the learners during the lesson.
The tablets are ruggedized to reduce breakage, have sufficient battery life for intermittent power, and are locked to prevent theft and ensure child safety.
Through solarization, the project sought to enhance computer-assisted teaching methods in classrooms, improve access to educational content through open educational resources, and enable learners and teachers to access materials on tablets and laptops. This included curricula designs, lesson audio, and animated videos to enhance the teaching of science subjects.
During the implementation of the project, 45 primary schools in Kakuma and Dadaab benefited from improved physical security and learning conditions. Security lights were erected in schools and staff compounds, significantly reducing theft and vandalism as all previously dark areas were illuminated.
Solar power installations at staff accommodations and offices not only bolstered security but also provided a conducive environment for learning and working. The installation not only reduced the cost of providing energy but also lessened the burden on the generators and decreased emissions resulting from the use of fossil fuels.
Furthermore, ventilation fans were strategically installed in classrooms wherever feasible, vastly enhancing the learning conditions for students during hot days. The entire initiative proved to be a crucial step toward improving education and fostering a better learning environment for refugee students in the camps.
Context
The political stability in Kenya stands in stark contrast to neighboring countries like South Sudan, Ethiopia, and Somalia, resulting in a considerable influx of asylum seekers into Dadaab and Kakuma Refugee Camps. The LWF has been providing primary education services in Dadaab since 2010 and in Kakuma since 1992, but there are still significant challenges due to a lack of electricity and reliance on unsustainable alternatives.
A further challenge that is faced by refugee camps is their sustainability and impact on the local communities. In the context of humanitarian support in refugee camps, addressing infrastructure challenges is crucial to ensuring the well-being and development of the displaced population. Innovation is needed to mitigate these impacts and optimize the use of limited resources.
As a result of the current energy situation in Dadaab Refugee Camps, renewable energy sources have emerged as a vital pathway to ensuring the sustainability of refugee camps, their schools, and other essential services.
Tensions and conflicts between refugees and the local community within the camps are multifaceted and influenced by various factors. The host community’s perception of refugees as economically privileged due to the aid received from organizations fosters resentment and adds to the strain between the two groups.
Population imbalances, with the refugee population outweighing the host community, exacerbate fear and tension among the locals. Moreover, competition over limited resources such as land, water, and wood in the semiarid area further aggravates the challenges faced by both refugees and the local community.
To ensure long-term sustainability and effective resource utilization in refugee camps, inclusive community engagement plays a pivotal role.
Collaborative efforts between aid organizations, local communities, and refugees are essential in addressing infrastructure challenges and fostering positive social impacts. By encouraging understanding, empathy, and cooperation, inclusive community engagement can mitigate tensions and promote a sense of shared responsibility in managing resources and enhancing the well-being of all stakeholders.
Enhancing humanitarian support in Kenyan refugee camps necessitates innovative and sustainable solutions to address infrastructure challenges effectively. Emphasizing renewable energy development and fostering inclusive community engagement are crucial steps toward creating a supportive and resilient environment for both refugees and the local community.
By working together, aid organizations, local communities, and refugees can contribute to a more sustainable and harmonious coexistence in the camps, thereby ensuring a brighter future for those seeking refuge in Kenya.
Strategies
Biodiversity conservation, restoring ecosystems, community education and sensitization
The project proactively addressed the semi-arid area’s challenges by exploring ways to reduce the community’s heavy reliance on wood and timber for cooking and construction. Instead of an immediate ban on wood usage, the project focused on behavioral change, advocating for sustainable practices such as planting multiple trees for each one felled, thereby creating an exponential curve toward a greener future.
“This highly relevant project gains significance as it addresses environmental conservation concerns and works toward sustainability, particularly in light of the Kenyan government’s consideration to close the refugee camp.” (Lilian Kantai, Technical Advisor for Advocacy and Human Rights, Lutheran World Federation Kenya)
This approach not only reduced deforestation and its impact on the environment, contributing to climate change mitigation, but also enhanced ecosystem resilience and fostered a healthier environment for the communities, supporting climate change adaptation.
The positive results of this initiative influenced perspectives at different levels, with the community and relevant authorities recognizing the potential for a more sustainable and climate-resilient environment in the area.
Moreover, the project took an innovative approach to education by eliminating its reliance on paper-based textbooks, mitigating the purchase of 10,000 books instead of e-learning resources, reducing the demand for paper, reducing wastage, and avoiding tree cutting. By using digital learning programs and minimizing the use of traditional textbooks and printing, the project promoted environmental-friendly practices in education, contributing to climate change mitigation efforts.
Climate technologies
The installation of solar energy in schools improved learning conditions through enhanced security, lighting, fanning, and ventilation. As a result, learners experienced improved concentration during afternoon lessons, addressing climate change adaptation by helping students cope with extreme temperatures.
Solar energy is pivotal in combating climate change due to its significant reduction of carbon footprints. By harnessing solar power, reliance on fossil fuels diminishes, leading to decreased carbon emissions.
Despite initial upfront costs, the transition offers long-term benefits, including reduced production costs, cleaner air, and improved health and well-being. Moreover, solar energy is adaptable, making it a flexible solution in areas lacking main energy supplies.
“To enhance the smooth running of school devices, the project recommended long-lasting backup batteries, good inverters, and frequent maintenance of solar systems. Upgrading to more modern solar panels was also advised to achieve greater energy savings and efficiently handle the region’s diverse climatic changes.” (Collins Omundu, Education Officer, Lutheran World Federation Kenya).
Local to Global to Local
The LWF Kenya-Somalia Program has adopted key elements of the L2G2L in its climate change advocacy efforts, contributing positively to local, national, and global initiatives to mitigate and adapt to climate change. The program prioritizes addressing local realities while supporting broader climate change initiatives.
The project aimed to ensure that the county-level government implemented policies and budgetary allocations that address climate change, particularly in areas like Kakuma and Dadaab that are highly impacted by climate-related challenges such as flooding, droughts, and other environmental issues.
The country program contributed to a loss-and-damage paper that highlighted the effects of climate change on the community’s livelihood and further engaged in advocacy efforts to promote mitigation and adaptation strategies. This project aimed to also address the impact of climate change on various aspects of the community, including livelihoods, protection, education, sexual and gender-based violence, and deforestation.
By linking climate change to these crucial areas, the program interventions continue to foster a deeper understanding among the community and state operators.
On the national level, the project contributed to the national development plan by aligning its objectives with the country’s efforts to address climate change.
By emphasizing the effects of climate change on education and other critical sectors, the project aimed to raise awareness and ensure that the government integrates climate change considerations into its policies, plans, and systems.
Furthermore, the project also had potential for advocacy at various levels, including county, national, regional, and global. It sought to push not only the agencies involved but also the government to develop and implement policies and plans that effectively address climate change issues. The project recognized the importance of international frameworks and resolutions, such as the Universal Periodic Review (UPR), Gender-Based Frameworks, and United Nations (UN) resolutions, which play a crucial role in promoting global cooperation and action on climate change, peace, and other related issues.
By taking a comprehensive approach considering a local context, national interests, and efforts, and engaging with international frameworks, the project aimed to create meaningful change and address the multifaceted challenges posed by climate change in the targeted communities.
Target Group
The completed project had multiple beneficiaries, including directly with refugee learners, teachers, and staff, directly and indirectly through refugee households and host communities.
Within Kakuma, 35,863 males and 23,974 females directly benefited, with 39,121 males and 22,792 females indirectly. Within Kakuma, 35,863 males and 23,974 females directly benefited, with 3,887 males and 3,310 females indirectly. Within Dadaab 39,121 males and 22,792 females, with 12,500 males and 11,500 females indirectly.
With the provision of solar energy, 36,290 primary school students in 45 schools directly benefited from access to e-learning resources. Further, 740 e-learning devices were distributed to grade one to three students, and 86 teachers in Kakuma and Dadaab received training and teaching devices, empowering them to use educational technology effectively.
In terms of physical security and improved learning conditions, 86,591 primary school students, teachers, and staff in Kakuma and Dadaab experienced enhanced lighting, fanning, and ventilation, fostering a conducive learning environment.
Additionally, the installation of solar-powered lights in the schools improved security for both the school communities and the surrounding households, contributing to a safer educational environment. Refugee camp communities and staff in Nadapal Transit Center also benefited from solar equipment installations, which provided reliable lighting and power usage for various needs. Overall, the successful implementation of the project positively impacted primary school students, teachers, and refugee communities in both Kakuma and Dadaab.
Impact
1.
Installed solar energy power, directly benefiting over 86,000 pupils, teachers, and staff in 45 schools, including 2 local community schools, building climate resilience education, and fostering good relations between refugees and local communities.
2.
Boosted the local economy by supporting local businesses through the generation of a solar market, with an increased need for solar equipment it promoted an interdependence of camps and local community and fostered social cohesion.
3.
The lighting within the camp and local community, including streetlights, improved security for people engaging in late evening social or economic activities.
4.
Promoted e-learning access for 36,290 primary school students, addressing educational barriers directly impacting refugees in Kakuma and Dadaab camps.
5.
Empowered 86 teachers with training and resources for the effective use of educational technology.
6.
The project fostered behavioral changes in the use and preservation of natural resources, supporting the long-term sustainability of refugee camps and their relationships with surrounding communities and the government.
Replicability
The project offered valuable insights that can enhance replicability and success for future projects.
Local sourcing of components, skills, and materials proved to be challenging but presented an opportunity for the project to support the local community. The project relied on technicians from Nairobi while promoting mechanisms to bridge the local gap, through engaging with local suppliers and on-site training, it not only promoted a circular economy but increased opportunities for and the skills of the community. This was necessary to ensure the longevity of the scheme, but also to overcome technical issues faced, such as overheating due to sun or heat exposure, a direct consequence of climate change.
Dedicated project staff and investing in human resources capacity ensured efficient coordination, successful information management, and project continuity. Sensitizing and engaging the community early on instilled a sense of ownership and fostered long-term sustainability.
Effective data collection techniques, such as proper training and pilot testing for online tools, streamlined the process and enhanced data quality. Building committed partnerships with local stakeholders while being mindful of local politics bolstered the project’s success and influenced perspectives at different levels.
The project’s positive influence on the government’s perspective toward the camp’s future highlights the potential for replicable projects to impact broader policy discussions and decision-making. By incorporating these valuable lessons, future initiatives can be more effective, replicable, and sustainable in addressing climate change challenges and promoting environmentally conscious practices within communities.
