d.light, a provider of transformational household products and affordable finance, has embarked on a project to supply 10,000 subsidized solar home systems to refugees from South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) who are currently residing in refugee camps in Northern and Western Uganda. This initiative is part of a larger effort to deliver 23,000 solar home systems to refugee communities across Uganda.
Funded by a USD$3.4 million grant from the Private Sector Foundation Uganda (PSFU) and Energising Development (EnDev), the project aims to provide access to affordable, reliable, and sustainable energy solutions to underserved refugee populations.
The project, which commenced in April, is scheduled to span 12 months. Funds from the grant are contingent upon results-based financing (RBF), with d.light receiving funding only upon installation of the solar home systems. Each system features three high-efficiency LED lights, an FM radio with MP3 playback, mobile phone charging capability, and a portable solar flashlight.
Douglas Gavala, Managing Director for d.light Uganda, emphasized the positive impact of the initiative on the living conditions of refugee communities. He highlighted how access to solar energy improves household wellbeing by providing entertainment, enabling education after dark, and extending working hours for small businesses in the refugee settlements.
Furthermore, d.light’s products not only enhance quality of life but also stimulate economic activity within the settlements, offering employment opportunities for residents as d.light salespeople.
Gavala concluded by underlining d.light’s commitment to improving the lives of displaced individuals while fostering economic empowerment at the grassroots level in Uganda’s refugee settlements.
Commentaires