In Aden and Al Dhalee governorates, CBPs were designed through a consultative process at community level in order to identify activities which respond to a gap prioritised by the community and build on existing local resources and capacities. This consultative process was conducted through Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) with community members, including separate session for women and girls and with different vulnerable groups (elderly, persons with disabilities, and representatives for minorities). Acted’s Camp Coordination and Camp Management (CCCM)team worked closely with the community to ensure the activities were addressing the wider needs at site level and could be accessed by all site inhabitants including, where possible, the host community. Acted thus had a facilitator’s role guiding the communities’ and ensuring that their capacities and resources were maximized.
With funding from U.S. Agency for International Development – Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance (BHA), Acted has been supporting IDPs and host communities in Aden and Al Dhalee governorates with the implementation of CBPs.
In collaboration with the CCCM cluster and local authorities, Acted’s CCCM team selected three IDP sites in Al Dhalee governorate for the implementation of CBPs: Al-Madhour and Central Prison (Al Dhalee district), and Western Sahdah Camp B (Qatabah district). Through a series of FGDs, Acted actively engaged the community to better understand their most pressing needs and explore meaningful support options. A major concern that quickly emerged was the urgent need for affordable cooking gas, as many families struggled to afford it consistently.
In response, Acted introduced the innovative idea of installing a biogas system, which not only addresses IDP’s fuel needs but also aligns with Acted’s greening strategy, promoting sustainability within the community. Most residents currently rely on wooden stoves for cooking, contributing to indoor air pollution. They expressed interest in alternative cooking methods, such as gas, which would reduce waste and also mitigate health and safety risks, including fire hazards, while protecting the fragile ecosystem.
The installation of home scale biogas systems done by Acted, allowed beneficiaries to use organic waste to generate a clean and renewable energy source for cooking. Improved access to this cleaner energy contributed to environmental preservation by reducing the demand for firewood and decreasing both the risk of fire incidents and the release of pollutants, improving indoor air quality and reducing respiratory illnesses.
For many living in the IDP sites in Al Dhalee, the simple act of cooking a meal became an overwhelming burden. With soaring gas prices, and many unable to secure steady employment, families often resort to unsustainable or dangerous alternatives to prepare the little food they have. They face the heartbreaking decision of whether to use their limited money to buy fuel or basic provisions. Fares, a 37-year-old man, and Razzaz, 57, have been living in Western Sahda Camp B since relocating there in 2015 due to the war. In the camp, residents share a communal kitchen located just five meters away, serving 45 families: “We manage the kitchen space by taking turns; one family cooks after another” they explain. The biogas system is a collective concern, as everyone needs to use it.
Everyone shares the responsibility for maintaining and cleaning the biogas system, which has significantly alleviated our struggle to obtain cooking gas. Most displaced people cannot afford to buy cooking gas, and some don’t even own a gas cylinder. We used to rely on firewood, but landowners prevent us from collecting it, forcing us to go far to gather wood, which is exhausting.
The biogas system has also had a positive impact on health, particularly for those with respiratory issues like asthma: “Firewood smoke used to cause health problems, and the host community was annoyed by the smoke from our cooking in the camp,” they share. With the biogas system, smoke emissions from burning firewood have greatly reduced, allowing for cleaner and more efficient cooking.
It helps us cook without the smell of smoke, creating a cleaner and purer environment. It has made a great impact on our ability to prepare food while saving money.
Additionally, Acted distributed 100-liter bins for collecting organic waste, which are emptied weekly into the biogas system, further contributing to the community’s sustainability efforts. “We collect food waste in the containers provided by Acted and transport it to the biogas system once a week,” they confirm.
Additional FGDs revealed that solid waste management was a major concern across these locations. The accumulation of waste, combined with insufficient collection and transportation options, has led to environmental and health risks, as well as recurrent tensions among IDPs, the host community, and landowners. In response, Acted distributed manual tricycles to the IDP community to facilitate the transportation of waste—such as plastic, iron, and copper—to recycling centers.
Fares, who is unemployed, relies on collecting and selling waste for income.
The recycling centers are about one kilometer away. I used to collect waste using a bag and carry it on foot. It required a lot of effort and was exhausting, as recycling is my only source of income.
The tricycles have made the process easier and more efficient compared to the previous situation.
“Every day, one person from the camp uses a tricycle to transport waste based on their needs and the amount they can collect. On some days, two or three people share the tricycle: two collect the waste while the other transports it to the recycling center, splitting the income among themselves”.
Acted’s initiatives in Al Dhalee, including the distribution of manual tricycles for waste transportation and the installation of biogas systems, have significantly improved the lives of 1,791 beneficiaries living in IDP camps. By addressing pressing issues such as solid waste management and the need for affordable cooking solutions, these initiatives have fostered environmental sustainability and enhanced community well-being. This holistic approach will not only alleviate immediate challenges but also lay the groundwork for a more resilient and sustainable future for the residents of IDPs in Al Dhalee.
