Solar aid

摘要

Rarely has the world seen the intensity and severity of change being experienced today in the Middle East. Among the record 60 million forcibly displaced people today around the world (the first time this level has been reached since World War II), more than 20 million are now suffering as refugees, internally displaced persons (IDPs), and forced migrants in the Middle East. This includes approximately eight million IDPs in Syria and four million Syrian refugees in neighbouring countries such as Lebanon and Jordan, two million IDPs in Iraq, and large and growing numbers in Yemen. The level of forced displacement is higher than ever before, re-shaping the nature of development challenges in the region, including challenges of energy security. Among the many priorities for the post-2015 era, Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 7 focuses on the world's aspiration to: 'Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all.' To address this goal of expanding energy access for the poor, in addition to scaled-up levels of assistance in Least Developed Countries (LDCs) around the world, support is also crucially needed to address the unique plight of forcibly displaced communities in the Middle East, now among the world's poorest and most vulnerable communities. Alongside issues of access to shelter, food, and water, issues of energy access have been a growing cause of concern by displaced communities, host countries, and international partners alike.