DYDO handed over the solar lamps to the Iidaan IDP Camp committee for camp-wide distribution, and clearly framed as a solution:
Initiative: Youth Climate Innovation & Renewable Energy Acceleration Program
Focus: Green Jobs, Renewable Energy And Entrepreneurship for IDP and minority youth
Iidaan IDP Camp, Somaliland — In a significant step toward enhancing safety and sustainability for displaced communities, hundreds of solar light lamps have been distributed to families at the Iidaan Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) Camp. 
The initiative, led by the Daami Youth Development Organization in partnership with the Ministry of Labour, Social Affairs, and Family (MoLSAF) and Save the Children Somaliland, aims to address critical energy poverty and reduce nighttime risks.
The handover, conducted directly with the camp’s community committee, is part of the broader Youth Climate Innovation & Renewable Energy Acceleration Program, which promotes renewable energy solutions to meet humanitarian and environmental needs.
For residents of Iidaan Camp, where darkness once heightened dangers and limited daily activities, the solar lamps represent a transformative intervention. Many families previously relied on kerosene lamps or candles, which posed health hazards from indoor air pollution, contributed to carbon emissions, and increased fire risks.
“This is more than just light—it is security, opportunity, and a step toward a healthier environment,” said a representative from Daami Youth Dev Org. “By using solar energy, we are tackling several challenges at once: protecting vulnerable families, especially women and children, after sunset; extending time for children to study and adults to work; and reducing harmful emissions.”
Key impacts expected from the solar lamp distribution include:
· Enhanced Safety: Improved lighting in households and communal areas to prevent accidents and promote safer movement at night.
· Livelihood and Educational Support: Extended hours for studying, small-scale income activities, and household tasks after dark.
· Environmental Benefits: A shift away from polluting fuel-based lighting, supporting climate resilience and cleaner air indoors.
· Community Ownership: Management of the lamps by the camp committee ensures the initiative is locally sustained and responsive to residents’ needs.
The collaboration underscores how youth-led innovation, supported by government and humanitarian partners, can deliver tangible solutions in displacement settings. “Addressing energy access is crucial in IDP camps,” noted a Save the Children Somaliland representative. “Sustainable light improves well-being, dignity, and the capacity of families to rebuild their lives.”
MoLSAF officials highlighted the initiative’s alignment with national efforts to improve living conditions for displaced populations while embracing green energy. “This partnership shows our shared commitment to practical, sustainable support for vulnerable communities,” a ministry representative said.
As solar lights begin to glow each evening in Iidaan, they symbolize a brighter, safer, and more sustainable path forward—one powered by community collaboration and renewable energy.
Through this solution, DYDO continues to demonstrate how youth-led innovation and renewable energy can deliver practical, scalable, and climate-smart outcomes for displaced and marginalized communities in Somaliland.
Project: Solar Livelihood Pods
Program: Youth Climate Innovation & Renewable Energy Acceleration Program
Implementer: Daami Youth Development Organization (DYDO)
Partners: MoLSAF, Save the Children & DANIDA Somaliland
Location: Iidaan IDP Camp, Hargeisa
Focus: Green jobs, renewable energy, and entrepreneurship for IDP and minority youth.
