Solarizing the UNHCR emergency stockpile in Uzbekistan

TERMEZ, UZBEKISTAN — UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, and LONGi Green Energy Technology Co Ltd. today launched phase one of a joint climate action and solar energy project that seeks to reduce the carbon emissions of UNHCR emergency and preparedness stockpiles globally.

The UNHCR Regional Humanitarian Logistics Hub, located within the Termez Cargo Centre in Surkhandarya region of Uzbekistan, is the first facility to be equipped with LONGi renewable energy equipment, including a 700kW solar photovoltaic powerplant.

Since its establishment, the Hub has processed 721 trucks and four airlifts carrying over 7,247 metric tons of the relief items that people need most in the first days after they are forced to flee, including temporary housing units, sleeping mats, tarpaulins, heavy duty buckets, blankets, stainless steel kitchen sets and portable solar LED lamps. Providing vulnerable refugees and internally displaced people with these core relief items supports their dignity, health, privacy and self-reliance, reducing protection risks.

Representatives of the Government of Uzbekistan, local authorities, LONGi and the United Nations attended the launch ceremony of the solarization project, which will contribute to minimizing the environmental footprint of humanitarian assistance.

“LONGi is honoured to partner with UNHCR and to be here today to witness the kick-off of this important project,” said Zoe Gao, LONGi MEA&CA Regional Marketing Manager. “This partnership highlights LONGi’s commitment to supporting sustainable development and energy equity, especially for people who have been forced to flee their homes.”

Located on the border with Afghanistan, Surkhandarya region is increasingly prone to the consequences of climate change. Frequent dust storms and droughts significantly impact the socio-economic development of the region and the well-being of its residents. It is also the region which hosts the largest number of forcibly displaced Afghans in Uzbekistan.

“We’re proud to embark on this transformative journey with LONGi towards a future where sustainable energy is not just an ideal, but a reality for all,” said Dumitru Lipcanu, UNHCR Representative for Central Asia, a.i. “With the use of this safe and green energy, we hope to lessen our impact on the environment, and work together towards a sustainable, green future, including for forcibly displaced people and the communities generously hosting them.”

LONGi and UNHCR signed a global partnership agreement in December 2023 comprising Climate Action, Energy Equity, and Green Transformation projects, initially implemented in Uzbekistan and Pakistan.

A complementary phase of the project in Uzbekistan will see 700 Afghan citizens and vulnerable members of the host community planting trees and pasture plants to establish windbreaks in selected areas of Surkhandarya region. In line with the Government of Uzbekistan’s ‘Yashil Makon’ project – launched in 2021 with the aim of planting 200 million trees each year – the initiative aims to mitigate climate change and boost income generation and employment opportunities, promoting self-reliance, peace and stability.  

About UNHCR and the Regional Humanitarian Logistics Hub

UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, leads international action to protect people forced to flee their homes because of conflict and persecution. The organization delivers life-saving assistance including shelter, food and water, helps safeguard fundamental human rights, and develops solutions that ensure people have a safe place to call home where they can build a better future. UNHCR also works to ensure that stateless people are granted nationality.

Established in October 2021 with the support of the Government of Uzbekistan, the UNHCR Regional Humanitarian Logistics Hub enables UNHCR to rapidly replenish its stockpiles and be more agile in its humanitarian response, while reducing costs and risks associated with carrying large inventory in each country affected by the Afghanistan crisis. The hub is capable of same-day, on-site processing of all necessary documentation for shipments and deliveries to Afghanistan, Pakistan, other Central Asian countries and beyond – including to Ukraine.

About LONGi

Founded in 2000, LONGi is committed to being the world’s leading solar technology company, focusing on customer-driven value creation for full scenario energy transformation.

Under its mission of 'making the best of solar energy to build a green world', LONGi has dedicated itself to technology innovation and established five business sectors, covering mono silicon wafers cells and modules, commercial and industrial distributed solar solutions, green energy solutions and hydrogen equipment. The company has honed its capabilities to provide green energy and has more recently embraced green hydrogen products and solutions to support global zero carbon development. 

For more information please contact:

• Mariko Hall, External Relations Officer, UNHCR Representation to Central Asia: [email protected]
• Jemma Galvin, Private Sector Communication Officer, UNHCR Asia-Pacific: [email protected]