Grace Richard measures the difference in the charcoal her household no longer needs to buy. Nelifa Failosi sees it when the sun goes down and her children continue studying under electric light.
Both women are rebuilding their lives in southern Malawi after Cyclone Freddy. Their experiences show the immediate value of clean energy for families recovering from disaster. They also provide evidence that solutions tested in relocation sites can work, last and attract the financing needed to reach more communities.
When Cyclone Freddy struck Malawi in 2023, it destroyed homes, farmland and livelihoods, displacing thousands of families. Many moved to relocation sites in Chikwawa and Chiradzulu districts, where they had to start again with limited access to electricity and efficient cooking options.
Collecting firewood took time. Buying charcoal stretched already limited household budgets. Without electricity, families relied on costly candles or darkness, leaving children unable to study after sunset.
Under the leadership of the UN Resident Coordinator, IOM and UNHCR worked with national and district authorities to tackle these immediate needs through the Just Energy Transition Project. With $250,000 in seed funding from the Joint SDG Fund, the 12-month programme tested clean-energy solutions designed specifically for communities affected by climate-related displacement.
Less fuel and more money kept at home
Across the programme, IOM and UNHCR distributed 1,930 energy-efficient cookstoves to displacement-affected households. This included 530 stoves delivered by IOM to families at Champhanda, Matsukambiya, Chikuse and Mussa relocation sites, while UNHCR distributed 1,400 stoves to refugee households at Dzaleka Refugee Camp.
For Grace, who lives in Chiradzulu District, the change is both financial and practical.
“The cooking stove is helping us save money because we now use less charcoal. It is also very easy to use and simple to clean, which saves me time every day.”
One year after the stoves were distributed, women reported that they had become part of their regular cooking routines. Lower fuel use means less money spent on charcoal. Easier cleaning and maintenance also make the stoves practical enough to continue using over time.
The technology was accompanied by hands-on guidance covering safe use, cleaning and basic maintenance. Women-headed households were specifically prioritized, recognizing the central role women play in cooking and household energy management.
