Why NGOs are switching to solar power in crisis zones
For years humanitarian aid operations have relied on diesel generators — which are costly, logistically complex, and environmentally damaging — as the main source of power in operations. Now, a growing number of humanitarian NGOs are replacing these machines with solar power or solar photovoltaic (PV) systems. Why? Because solar energy offers a better way forward: it is more sustainable, more affordable over time, and easier to deploy in hard-to-reach areas.
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- Humanitarian
- Sustainability
- Collaboration
How innovation-friendly procurement can make humanitarian aid more sustainable
Procurement may not be the most glamorous function in humanitarian operations — but it is one of the most powerful. As crises grow in complexity and urgency, the systems behind aid delivery must evolve. At the heart of this transformation lies a quiet revolution: innovation-friendly procurement.
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- Collaboration
- Humanitarian
- News
Pioneering Partnerships: BRIGHT at DIHAD
BRIGHT has been a proud participant at the Dubai International Humanitarian Aid and Development (DIHAD) Conference & Exhibition for several years. We are back again this year with a booth at the Norway Pavillion organized by Innovation Norway. But why exactly are we here? Why DIHAD?
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![BRIGHT Products Fieldwork hands on solar lamp repair program in Cox Bazar Bangladesh]()
- Field work
- Sustainability
- Humanitarian
Solar lamp repair & e-waste management in Cox’s Bazar Kutupalong refugee camp
In the heart of the world's largest refugee camp, access to reliable solar energy is more than a convenience — it is a lifeline. Cox's Bazar's Kutupalong settlement, home to nearly one million Rohingya refugees, faces ongoing challenges from a long-running humanitarian crisis and increasingly frequent climate-related disasters. Recognising this, BRIGHT has made it a priority to improve access to sustainable solar lighting and energy in the camp by talking with end-users, understanding the e-waste challenge in the settlement, and by providing hands-on training on solar lamp repair.
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![BRIGHT Products SunBell solar lamp being used to provide light while cooking]()
- Sustainability
- Stories
- Humanitarian
SunBell: first solar lantern categorized as a UNHCR core relief item
Access to light and mobile charging is a critical basic need for people forced to flee their homes. Since 2014, over 4 million SunBell solar lamps with built-in phone chargers have been distributed globally, transforming the lives of displaced families by offering safe, clean, and reliable lighting.
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![BRIGHT Products SunBell solar lamp charging in the sun (Credit photo: Mostofa Siraj Mohiuddin)]()
- Sustainability
- Humanitarian
Lighting the way: How solar lamps transform life in refugee camps
Providing core relief non-food items is essential for families and individuals forced to flee their homes, often with nothing but the clothes on their backs. While plastic sheets, blankets, kitchen sets, and soap are vital, one item often overlooked but equally life-changing is light. Imagine navigating daily life without it. In refugee camps around the world, the absence of lighting after sunset can turn already difficult conditions into dangerous ones. Discover how solar lamps make an impact in these settings.
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- Humanitarian
Humanitarian and development aid: What is the difference?
This article sheds some light on the unique roles of humanitarian and development aid and their vital role in supporting communities and fostering sustainable development.
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