The intersection of humanitarian aid and energy access has not been placed high enough on the global agenda. And yet, energy access is inextricably interwoven with the humanitarian system. Last month, the 19th Dubai International Humanitarian Aid & Development (Dihad) forum delivered a clear call to action to retrain the spotlight on this topic, especially when it comes to policymaking efforts.
Today, more than 70 million people globally, according to the UN refugee agency UNHCR, have been forced to leave their homes, due to external life-threatening circumstances, and seek safety in a country other than their own. In such circumstances, their access to fuel and energy is limited, in environments that are less than acceptable. The reason is systemic.
For too long, improving energy access for those faced with forced displacement has been seen as another strain on the resources of developing economies, where many of those 70 million refugees build a life.
Limited attention to policymaking focused on the more than 125 million people affected by conflict-related crises and natural disasters has meant that clean energy provision within the humanitarian community is severely lacking. Current energy practices in camps are often inefficient, polluting and unsafe for users.
We need to move faster to help build the resilience of vulnerable communities, who have a crucial role to play in driving the energy transition
The consequence of these living conditions are a major impediment to economic growth and opportunity. Displaced children are five times more likely to be out of school than non-refugee children. Only 50 per cent have access to primary education, compared with a global level of more than 90 per cent. Only 1 per cent of displaced youth go to university. Further, only about 10 per cent of displaced people have reliable access to electricity for lighting, heating, cooking and power generation. And 80 per cent of those in camps rely on firewood for cooking and heating. As a result, there are an estimated 20,000 premature fatalities – primarily women and children – every year due to pollution from indoor fires.
But in the past five years, as Jordan’s Azraq refugee camp has clearly shown, renewable energy offers a crucial solution to transforming lives, creating empowering opportunities and can provide a bridge across the humanitarian-development divide by improving food security, nutrition, health, safety and education.
Azraq is the world’s first refugee camp powered by renewable energy. It houses a two-megawatt solar photovoltaic plant, which has enabled the UNHCR to provide sustainable energy to more than 20,000 Syrian refugees.
When we look at sustainable development through the prism of those most in need of support, it becomes even clearer that access to energy is, irrefutably, a humanitarian imperative. It also becomes clear that the energy transition is not just about technology and finance but about political will and social inclusion.
The international community has a responsibility to ensure that everyone – whether displaced by geopolitical conflict or climate change or not – has a voice in shaping the energy transition, and that the benefits of clean energy are shared equitably.
Progress has been made in recent years, with Azraq standing out as a clear example. The International Renewable Energy Agency (Irena) reports suggest that humanitarian organisations are increasingly turning to renewable energy to power their operations. This not only helps to reduce their environmental impact, but also provides a model for how renewable energy can be integrated into communities.
But we need to move faster to help build the resilience of vulnerable communities, who have a crucial role to play in driving the energy transition, by promoting access to clean energy and advocating for policies that support it.
Enabling energy access for geopolitical refugees requires urgent attention. It is one part of the humanitarian dimension to the energy transition that requires urgent attention. The other is the growing number of climate refugees.
In less than three decades, we could see up to 1.2 billion climate refugees. By 2030 alone, projections suggest that there will be half a billion more people on the planet – each needing access to energy to live meaningful lives, once again re-emphasising the urgent need for an inclusive and just energy transition. One that must sit at the heart of much-needed humanitarian development.
This is why we need a people's energy transition. A transition that prioritises the needs of all communities, that recognises energy access as a fundamental human right and one that leaves no one behind.
In this context, the people's energy transition is not just a technical, financial or economic concept. It is multi-faceted. It is also a social and political issue. It requires a shift in mindset and physical infrastructural priorities, to move from a centralised energy system to a decentralised, renewable energy-based one. It requires investments in renewable energy infrastructure, such as wind turbines, solar panels and energy storage systems. It requires policies and regulations that promote renewable energy across the globe. And it requires capacity-building and skills development for local communities and entrepreneurs to participate in the renewable energy economy.
Delivering the people’s energy transition requires the participation and engagement of all stakeholders, including governments, the private sector, under-represented communities, civil society and youth.
This is precisely the inclusive mix of players that Cop28 will bring to the decision-making table later this year, as the UAE prepares to deliver a "Cop for All". With a strategic focus on mitigation, adaptation, climate finance and an innovative multilateral process, Cop28 can be the platform that underscores the need for practical solutions to enhance energy access for displaced people.
The people’s energy transition is not an easy task. But it is a necessary one. Without it, we cannot begin to address the dual, interconnected climate and humanitarian crises unfolding before our eyes and provide a pathway to a more sustainable, just, and inclusive future for all.
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
Ain Issa camp:
- Established in 2016
- Houses 13,309 people, 2,092 families, 62 per cent children
- Of the adult population, 49 per cent men, 51 per cent women (not including foreigners annexe)
- Most from Deir Ezzor and Raqqa
- 950 foreigners linked to ISIS and their families
- NGO Blumont runs camp management for the UN
- One of the nine official (UN recognised) camps in the region
Gulf Under 19s
Pools
A – Dubai College, Deira International School, Al Ain Amblers, Warriors
B – Dubai English Speaking College, Repton Royals, Jumeirah College, Gems World Academy
C – British School Al Khubairat, Abu Dhabi Harlequins, Dubai Hurricanes, Al Yasmina Academy
D – Dubai Exiles, Jumeirah English Speaking School, English College, Bahrain Colts
Recent winners
2018 – Dubai College
2017 – British School Al Khubairat
2016 – Dubai English Speaking School
2015 – Al Ain Amblers
2014 – Dubai College
EA Sports FC 25
Developer: EA Vancouver, EA Romania
Publisher: EA Sports
Consoles: Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4&5, Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S
Rating: 3.5/5
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Gothia Cup 2025
4,872 matches
1,942 teams
116 pitches
76 nations
26 UAE teams
15 Lebanese teams
2 Kuwaiti teams
Jetour T1 specs
Engine: 2-litre turbocharged
Power: 254hp
Torque: 390Nm
Price: From Dh126,000
Available: Now
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
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Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
Company profile
Name: Dukkantek
Started: January 2021
Founders: Sanad Yaghi, Ali Al Sayegh and Shadi Joulani
Based: UAE
Number of employees: 140
Sector: B2B Vertical SaaS(software as a service)
Investment: $5.2 million
Funding stage: Seed round
Investors: Global Founders Capital, Colle Capital Partners, Wamda Capital, Plug and Play, Comma Capital, Nowais Capital, Annex Investments and AMK Investment Office
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APPLE IPAD MINI (A17 PRO)
Display: 21cm Liquid Retina Display, 2266 x 1488, 326ppi, 500 nits
Chip: Apple A17 Pro, 6-core CPU, 5-core GPU, 16-core Neural Engine
Storage: 128/256/512GB
Main camera: 12MP wide, f/1.8, digital zoom up to 5x, Smart HDR 4
Front camera: 12MP ultra-wide, f/2.4, Smart HDR 4, full-HD @ 25/30/60fps
Biometrics: Touch ID, Face ID
Colours: Blue, purple, space grey, starlight
In the box: iPad mini, USB-C cable, 20W USB-C power adapter
Price: From Dh2,099
The Lowdown
Kesari
Rating: 2.5/5 stars
Produced by: Dharma Productions, Azure Entertainment
Directed by: Anubhav Singh
Cast: Akshay Kumar, Parineeti Chopra
Landfill in numbers
• Landfill gas is composed of 50 per cent methane
• Methane is 28 times more harmful than Co2 in terms of global warming
• 11 million total tonnes of waste are being generated annually in Abu Dhabi
• 18,000 tonnes per year of hazardous and medical waste is produced in Abu Dhabi emirate per year
• 20,000 litres of cooking oil produced in Abu Dhabi’s cafeterias and restaurants every day is thrown away
• 50 per cent of Abu Dhabi’s waste is from construction and demolition
UAE v Gibraltar
What: International friendly
When: 7pm kick off
Where: Rugby Park, Dubai Sports City
Admission: Free
Online: The match will be broadcast live on Dubai Exiles’ Facebook page
UAE squad: Lucas Waddington (Dubai Exiles), Gio Fourie (Exiles), Craig Nutt (Abu Dhabi Harlequins), Phil Brady (Harlequins), Daniel Perry (Dubai Hurricanes), Esekaia Dranibota (Harlequins), Matt Mills (Exiles), Jaen Botes (Exiles), Kristian Stinson (Exiles), Murray Reason (Abu Dhabi Saracens), Dave Knight (Hurricanes), Ross Samson (Jebel Ali Dragons), DuRandt Gerber (Exiles), Saki Naisau (Dragons), Andrew Powell (Hurricanes), Emosi Vacanau (Harlequins), Niko Volavola (Dragons), Matt Richards (Dragons), Luke Stevenson (Harlequins), Josh Ives (Dubai Sports City Eagles), Sean Stevens (Saracens), Thinus Steyn (Exiles)
The years Ramadan fell in May
UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
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Price, base: Dh359,200
Engine: 2.9L twin-turbo V6
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Power: 450hp at 5,700rpm
Torque: 600Nm at 1,900rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 8.7L / 100km
House-hunting
Top 10 locations for inquiries from US house hunters, according to Rightmove
- Edinburgh, Scotland
- Westminster, London
- Camden, London
- Glasgow, Scotland
- Islington, London
- Kensington and Chelsea, London
- Highlands, Scotland
- Argyll and Bute, Scotland
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- Tower Hamlets, London
ELIO
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Directors: Madeline Sharafian, Domee Shi, Adrian Molina
Rating: 4/5
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EU fishing vessels guaranteed access to UK waters for 12 years
Co-operation on security initiatives and procurement of defence products
Youth experience scheme to work, study or volunteer in UK and EU countries
Smoother border management with use of e-gates
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End of free parking
- paid-for parking will be rolled across Abu Dhabi island on August 18
- drivers will have three working weeks leeway before fines are issued
- areas that are currently free to park - around Sheikh Zayed Bridge, Maqta Bridge, Mussaffah Bridge and the Corniche - will now require a ticket
- villa residents will need a permit to park outside their home. One vehicle is Dh800 and a second is Dh1,200.
- The penalty for failing to pay for a ticket after 10 minutes will be Dh200
- Parking on a patch of sand will incur a fine of Dh300
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Profile of Hala Insurance
Date Started: September 2018
Founders: Walid and Karim Dib
Based: Abu Dhabi
Employees: Nine
Amount raised: $1.2 million
Funders: Oman Technology Fund, AB Accelerator, 500 Startups, private backers
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Rating: 1/5
