Monitoring Solar Lighting Project in Palabek Refugee Settlement
A field visit is currently underway to monitor the lighting activities in Palabek Camp, specifically in 9 zones of Palabek Refugee Settlement. This settlement is home to approximately 85,000 refugees from South Sudan, with a focus on zone 5 during the visit on January 24, 2025. The purpose of the visit is to assess any issues in the field, as some areas have already been equipped with solar energy lighting. Beneficiaries have expressed a need for additional lighting in certain areas, prompting this monitoring effort.
The Stichting Signify Foundation has financed a project to install 550 outdoor solar lights in the settlement. The foundation, based in Amsterdam, Netherlands, aims to provide much-needed lighting to the residents, who have limited access to electricity.
The Salesians of Don Bosco in Palabek Refugee Settlement have been tasked with implementing the project, while UNHCR, on behalf of Signify Foundation, is responsible for delivering the outdoor lights to a centralized storage unit near the settlement. The project is expected to greatly improve visibility and safety in the area, particularly during the night hours.
The installation of these solar lights will not only provide illumination for residents navigating the settlement after dark but will also help deter crime and improve overall security. The initiative is a welcome development for the community, offering a brighter and safer environment for all who call Palabek home.