UNHCR, the UN refugee agency, and its partners have been turning to green and nonpolluting technology, including solar power, to help provide safe, clean water to Rohingya refugees living in the crowded settlements in south-eastern Bangladesh. 

Over the past six months, five new safe water networks funded by UNHCR have been completed in the Kutapalong-Balukhali refugee site that are fully powered by solar energy, said a UNHCR press release.

Solar panels generate enough energy to produce electricity to run motorised water pumps. 

The pumping system draws water from newly-installed 70,000 litre chlorinated water tanks. Water is then pumped to tap stands installed close to refugee households.

The aim is to provide 20 litres of potable water to every refugee daily for drinking and cooking. 

“The improved water networks are completely solar powered in order to reduce energy costs and fuel emissions”, said Murray Wilson, head of UNHCR’s water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) programmes in Cox’s Bazar.

The five new water networks- jointly completed by UNHCR, MSF, OXFAM and BRAC –are currently providing safe water to over 40,000 refugees. A further 55,000 refugees will benefit as UNHCR and its partner agencies are hoping to install nine more solar-powered water networks across Kutupalong refugee camp in the coming year, at a cost of $10 million.