Water & energy for children
Photocredit: © UNICEF/UN0153304
Opportunities
Solar-reticulated water systems
UNICEF is deploying solar-powered, climate-resilient water systems in schools and health facilities that remain functional throughout the year and can withstand extreme weather events. These systems are extremely cost-effective compared to all other alternatives powered by fossil fuel. It is foreseen that they also will be used by communities, thus increasing ownership and sustainability.
Opportunities
Solar-reticulated water systems
UNICEF is deploying solar-powered, climate-resilient water systems in schools and health facilities that remain functional throughout the year and can withstand extreme weather events. These systems are extremely cost-effective compared to all other alternatives powered by fossil fuel. It is foreseen that they also will be used by communities, thus increasing ownership and sustainability. With support from partners, this programme could be expanded to over 600 facilities across Malawi, Mozambique and Uganda.
Concrete project in Malawi
Malawi is among the countries in south-eastern Africa that are increasingly affected by climate change. Whole areas fall dry, people despair. Only half the population has access to basic water supply. Especially children are greatly affected. We raise money for solar-powered water pumps in Malawi. A single water system costs around € 100,000 and provides essential water supply for 10,000 people.
Together we make a difference! – Climate friendly solutions for children in Malawi. To improve access to sustainable and durable water supplies, UNICEF Malawi is introducing groundwater-fed solar-reticulated water systems.
Positive effects on children and their families:
- Washing hands is the most effective protection against disease
- Clean drinking water not only for schools but for the whole community
- More children attending school instead of fetching water every day
Photocredit: © UNICEF/UN0119447
Photocredit: © UNICEF Austria
We are working hard for all children across the globe, always with one leg in the minister's office and with the other in the rubber boot on the ground. For every child.
Christoph Jünger
Managing Director UNICEF Austria
Core values
Sustainability:
UNICEF’s priority is to ensure that solar-powered systems remain operational in the long term. UNICEF works with its partners on sustainability plans that provide employment opportunities to young people and women as well as innovative solutions such as remote monitoring systems.
Photocredit: © UNICEF/UN0372120
Innovative solutions and field testing:
By working with field partners and programmatic experts, UNICEF can identify, develop and scale together with private-sector partners fit-for-purpose and value-for-money solutions for renewable energy that respond to the unmet energy needs of health-care facilities and schools across Eastern and Southern Africa
Photocredit: © UNICEF/UN0153307
Scale-up:
Bringing to scale existing pilot programmes supported by UNICEF and allowing their replication across countries
Photocredit: © UNICEF/UN0153294
The sustainability of this initiative is supported by
• Targeting based on analysis of needs and demand assessment
• Community participation and ownership in the design, delivery and sustainability of services, providing options that meet the demand of communities
• Solutions that are environmentally sustainable and undergo rigorous climate and resilience assessments
• Technical support on the services provided, including quality assurance
• Support to private-sector organizations to manage and operate services
• The development of local and national capacity to support and monitor sustainable outcomes
• Monitoring of long-term performance and impact
Characteristics
70
per cent of the rural population does not have access to electricity
2 million
children and families, with renewable energy solutions will reduce poverty and improve health, education and access to water
690
hours of power outages every year in the broader sub-Saharan Africa
