Utilising solar water pumping for development-oriented relief in refugee settings in Uganda

Roughly half of the world’s refugees have been in exile for over ten years. In relief settings that have potential to become protracted, it is critical that WASH interventions aim for sustainable, even development-oriented outcomes. Since 2012, Water Mission has designed, constructed, and supported 10 solar pumping systems for potable water supply in refugee settings in Northern and Western Uganda in a development-oriented manner. This paper offers a summary of these experiences and the technical, financial, institutional, operational, and social considerations that went into the design of the intervention. Recommendations for steps that can be taken to encourage sustainability of solar water pumping systems in refugee settings, specifically with respect to local participation, ownership, and life-cycle cost recovery are also provided.