Can the use of improved wood burning stoves protect women from violence against them?
by Mohamed Majzoub, Country Director ITDGPractical Action Sudan The huge displacement of people caused by the conflict in Darfur has laid pressure on the environment surrounding the Internally Displaced People (IDP) camps. Shortage of wood fuel has impacted negatively the IDPs themselves and worsened the environmental damage. IDPs are either collecting wood from far distances or using precious resources to buy it from nearby markets. In some camps, nearby sources are completely depleted leading people (mostly women and children) to travel further for fuel, exposing themselves to insecurity incidents; while in other camps IDPs are starting to dig deep to look for tree roots but this eliminates any chance for natural regeneration. Alternative fuels and technologies were proposed in response to the concerns expressed by INGOs. Kerosene and gas are the most likely alternatives but their use is surrounded by a number of limitations such as cost, accessibility and the possible potential haza
