Working in partnership with UNHCR and supported by the IKEA Foundation, the Renewable Energy for Refugees project helps refugees and their host communities access finance, training, technology and expertise to access renewable energy to power homes, schools, health clinics and businesses. The project is bringing sustainable, renewable energy solutions for lighting, cooking and essential appliances to refugee camps in Rwanda, enabling refugees to flourish and move from reliance on aid to economic independence.

This photoreportage was carried out in November 2019 to document and demonstrate how improved access to energy can transform people’s lives whatever their circumstances. This body of work was complemented by video interviews that give voice to community members and bring to life the lived experiences of refugees.

RE4R in Rwanda focuses on three refugee camps (Kigeme, Gihembe and Nyabiheke), where Congolese refugee communities who have fled the civil war and internal conflict are currently living with very little energy infrastructure.