Safe Access to Fuel and Energy (SAFE) is a cross-sectoral issue that focuses on ensuring access to fuel and energy for cooking, heating, lighting, and powering for crisis-affected populations.
More than a third of the world’s population relies on traditional fuels—wood, coal, animal dung, and agricultural waste—for their energy needs, including cooking their meals, heating their homes, and lighting their communities. The challenges they face in accessing clean energy are numerous, often dangerous, and incredibly unsustainable, particularly during complex emergencies and protracted crises.
Safe and sustainable access to energy is being increasingly recognized as a human right—essential for the safety, well-being, and productivity of the people the humanitarian community serves. It is also essential for social and economic development, offering opportunities for improved lives and economic progress.
