The Portuguese energy group, EDP, in partnership with the United Nations High Commission for Refugees, UNHCR, has announced the launch of a pilot project for the Kakuma refugee camp in Kenya. The announcement was made during the 5th annual Clinton Global Initiative conference, taking place from 22 to 25 September in New York.

The pilot project is part of EDP's work with HELPIN, a network of Portuguese partners for providing international aid to refugees, of which EDP is a founding member.

The aim of the project is to devise a standard approach to solutions for renewable energy that can be replicated in other refugee camps, and also in remote, needy communities. The sustainable development in this camp of over 50,000 refugees will be achieved by installing photovoltaic solar panels, wind turbines and energ-saving lamps, redesigning diesel generators and installing water pumps, solar ovens and water purifiers; thereby creating better conditions in which schools, hospitals and other facilities provided by the humanitarian agency can function.

The pilot project is also concerned with encouraging social entrepreneurship linked to energy and the environment by helping to create and develop skills, enhancing the social integration of refugees and alleviating extreme poverty. For instance, the equipment will be maintained by the beneficiaries themselves.

The initiatives planned will also include a reforestation project using native species, and the cultivation of fruit and vegetables.

Once the diagnostic and planning stages have been concluded, the resulting solutions will be implemented and local empowerment will proceed, with the help of the NGOs and other partner institutions of the UNHCR in Kakuma. The pilot project should be completed by October 2010.

The success of this pilot project will help improve the living conditions of the refugees, particularly the most vulnerable ones -- the women and children -- in terms of security, nutrition, education and health.

The project lies within the scope of the Millennium Goals as established by the United Nations General Assembly in 2000.

About EDP
EDP operates in the areas of gas and electricity. It is the third biggest operator in the Iberian Peninsula’s energy market and the world's fourth largest operator in wind power generation. It employs 12,000 people and operates in eight countries in Europe and America.

The Company has recently reconfirmed its sustainable performance by remaining on the Dow Jones Sustainability indices for the second year in a row, occupying 2nd place in the rankings of the best utilities in the world.

About the UNHCR
The United Nations High Commission for Refugees -- UNHCR -- was created by resolution of the United Nations General Assembly on 14 December 1950 with a three-year mandate. Its mission was to assist and resettle European refugees after World War II.

At the end of this period it was concluded that the role of the UNHCR should be extended to refugees elsewhere on the planet, whose numbers were increasing day by day.

Today, after nearly 60 years of constant activity, the UNHCR is one of the world's leading humanitarian organisations and has twice been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. Its chief mission has been to guarantee international protection and find long-term solutions for refugees' problems. Currently, with the aid of over 6,000 employees, the UNHCR has a presence in 116 countries and ensures the protection of the rights and survival of around 42 million people.

About HELPIN
HELPIN is the first initiative of its kind in the world and consists of a group of Portuguese private sector organisations. HELPIN is a virtual network coordinated by the United Nations High Commission for Refugees -- UNHCR -- and its purpose is to raise funds for refugees around the world.

The focus of the network of Portuguese partners is on refugees in Africa, with particular reference to the Horn of Africa.

Site: www.edp.pt

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