The Humanitarian Engineering and Energy for Displacement (HEED) project (EPSRC EP/P029531/1) is an innovative response to growing recognition of the need to improve access to energy, particularly renewable energy sources, for populations displaced by conflict and natural disasters. The focus of HEED is on the lived experiences of Congolese refugees living for protracted periods of time in three refugee camps in Rwanda and internally displaced persons (IDPs) forced to leave their homes as a result of the 2015 earthquake in Nepal.

This photoreportage - carried out in November 2019 - depicts the stories of changes of displaced populations in three refugee camps in Rwanda (Nyabiheke, Gihembe and Kigeme) since HEED installed renewable energy technologies: solar power lanterns and multi-function solar street lighting. Video interviews were also produced to give voice to the community members and to enrich the stories of impact that the project is having at the grassroots level.

More information about the project and this body of work can be found here.