IOM Uganda 348d ago

Although Solar lanterns have long helped to light up Bidibidi, one of Africa’s largest refugee settlements, disused lanterns had become an environmental hazard. That was until a group of partners put together an innovative project that gives disused solar lanterns a new lease of light. Supported by Innovation Norway Innovation Norway, and in partnership with four private sector entities – Total Energies, Solvoz, AceleAfrica, and BRIGHT – the IOM E-waste Initiative aims to address the challenge of electronic waste in displacement settings. IOM piloted the initiative in the Bidibidi, Uganda, by setting up collection points for solar lanterns and batteries for their recycle, repurpose, and safe disposal. This has effectively reduced e-waste and mitigated its environmental and health impacts in the settlement, in addition to creating job opportunities for the refugee and host communities. Check out the imaginative journey from the pilot project into today's scalability model!