This is a brief post to respond to some questions I received about firewood collection from my blog post on the refugee side:
Q: How long would a bundle last once it is dry?
A: On average, refugees and hosts are collecting 19 pounds of firewood per trip, and firewood bundles last for 4.1 meals. So it takes about 4.6 pounds of firewood to cook a meal.
Q: How often do women have to make these arduous journeys?
A: On average the response is 2.6 times per week
Q: Other than the tension that exists between landlords and collectors, what are the refugee's attitudes about this collection process? Do they worry about the scarcity or lament the time it takes to gather? Does it put them in a bad mood once they return?
A: On the refugee side, there is a lot of stress about collecting firewood. One refugee explained that sometimes she runs out of time, needs to cook, but there simply is not wood at home. Another mentioned how much she dislikes pushing through thick grass in the bush which cuts her arms and legs. This grass was less of an issue when we started back in the dry season, but now it has become tall due to rains. When we get back to the home, there is visible exhaustion in most cases.
Q: Do refugees rotate firewood collection responsibility?
A: I have not noticed rotation of firewood responsibilities so much as collective firewood collection. Travelling in pairs or groups seems to both boost morale when two women can share stories along the way, but also provides some safety in cases where they might encounter unfriendly hosts or even other refugees in the bush.
Q: In terms of aid for humanitarian efforts as you mentioned at the end of the post, would that look like helping create firewood plantations, bringing in firewood, or bringing in some sort of gas stove, or maybe a mix?
A: I think a mixture is definitely needed: more tree conservation through use of fuel efficient stoves (Lorena or otherwise), and more tree planting of firewood species which can be coppiced or pollarded. I also think there is a good opportunity for tree planting on the boundaries of land rented from hosts by refugees, or intercropped with annuals. The key here would be long-term agreements so that refugee access to the land isn't lost after just one year.
Q: What kind of cooking setup do refugees use? Is it an adobe or brick stove or just an open flame?
A: Many refugees report having a Lorena stove which are made from locally available clay, sand, and grass. One organization DanChurchAid has really pushed for constructing Lorena stoves which are built indoors with chimneys, and can help to reduce firewood construction. I still see traditional three-stone fire pits all over the settlement and especially in the host community. Some people tell me that the taste and texture of food is better when cooked over an open flame, which might explain reticent adoption of Lorena stoves.