Solar Streetlights Lead the Way to Safety for Refugees in Iran | UNHCR Asia Pacific

Workers put up a solar street light in Bardsir settlement, Iran.

Families living in refugee settlements across Iran can now enjoy evening strolls and social gatherings with ease, thanks to improved safety in their communities. What was once a challenge has transformed into a newfound sense of security and freedom, all following the installation of enhanced public lighting in the streets.

In close coordination and partnership with the National Organization for Migration (NOM), the UN Refugee Agency installed 3,601 solar-powered streetlights across 11 settlements and four neighbourhoods with large refugee populations in Iran to respond to safety concerns in an environmentally friendly and climate safe way.

By illuminating the streets after sunset, the solar streetlights have transformed the lives of over 50,000 refugees and thousands of Iranians living in the same areas. Now, residents can more confidently go for walks and children can enjoy playing in the evenings.

“We are happy with the facilities here,” says Zahra Khavari, an Afghan refugee living in the Torbat-e Jam settlement, just 95 kilometres from the border crossing with Afghanistan. “Our children can now play at night. This is great to feel safe in the streets and alleyways.”

The solar streetlights have also made settlements safer for women and girls.

“This solar light project exemplifies the power of innovative, sustainable solutions in protracted refugee situations,” says Yumiko Takashima, UNHCR Representative in Iran. “It enhances safety and quality of life for refugees and the communities that generously host them and aligns with our global commitment to environmental responsibility.”

Empowering Communities and Fostering Livelihood Opportunities with Environmentally Friendly Streetlighting

Streetlighting in refugee settlements also significantly enhances business opportunities and social life. By extending working hours, streetlights enable small businesses to operate beyond daylight, increasing their income potential and fostering economic growth and sustainability within the community.

Additionally, well-lit areas enhance safety and security, encouraging social interaction and stronger relationships within the community and with neighbouring areas. This improved social cohesion can lead to better integration, mutual support, and collaborative efforts between refugees and host communities, ultimately fostering a more inclusive and resilient environment.

“UNHCR supports many public services that are crucial for communities, such as schools and clinics. But I can’t recall a project that has so immediately and so drastically changed the life of people,” emphasizes Mobin Lashkari, UNHCR’s engineer who worked on the project. “Refugees were recruited by contractors and provided a large part of the manpower to install the lights. Not only was it rewarding for them to see the result, but it also gave them a sense of ownership.”

UNHCR strives to support forcibly displaced, stateless people and their hosts in improving access to services that promote the sustainable use of natural resources and a clean and healthy environment. Using the 3,601 solar lights in Iran reduces emissions by 152.5 tons of CO2 per year, equivalent to the carbon captured yearly by 720 hectares of forest.

The long-term vision is that by 2030, the increasing numbers of forcibly displaced and stateless people fleeing from climate-fuelled crises and living in climate vulnerable countries are protected, resilient to the impacts of climate change and living self-sufficient lives.

This vision is in line with UNHCR’s “Strategic Plan for Climate Action 2024-2030”, supported by multi-year climate action plans for each region. The project is part of a larger greening initiative proposed at the 2023 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28) and is aligned with Iran’s national plan to increase the production of green electricity.

To enhance refugees’ health and livelihood opportunities in Iran, there are plans to install solar panels in shelters, providing free lighting and electricity to 800 families. Sewage treatment facilities will be set up in three refugee settlements and solar-powered water well pumps in four other settlements, delivering sustainable clean water and better sanitation to about 20,000 refugees.

The new solar streetlighting is part of UNHCR and the Government of Iran’s commitment to refugee protection and empowerment – a partnership spanning four decades. Its impact extends beyond safety, fostering community engagement, enabling livelihood activities in the evenings, and promoting a sense of normalcy in refugee settlements.

As the world grapples with record-high displacement figures, reaching 120 million by May 2024, such initiatives underscore the importance of sustainable, long-term solutions for refugees. Iran, which hosts 3.8 million refugees and refugee-like persons, continues to be a global leader in refugee response, maintaining inclusive policies despite economic challenges.