Affordable High-Tech for Humanitarian Aid
As part of the EU Industry Day, Eurelectric attended an event on High Tech for Humanitarian Aid. Organised by DG RTD and DG ECHO, the event aimed at identifying and discussing humanitarian challenges and business opportunities stemming from the frugal application of advanced technologies in the humanitarian field.
The objective of the event was to raise awareness of the potential of frugal application of advanced technologies in low-income countries. Increasing number of humanitarian crises and disasters call for more involvement from people and for doing more, effectively and cost-efficiently. Introducing more cost-effective, technology-based solutions can help enhance humanitarian response. The event highlighted recent examples of application of advanced technologies in humanitarian contexts, including better portable water filtration and purification systems based on nano-technology catalysts, off-grid energy supplied through organic photovoltaics or customised humanitarian supplies thanks to 3D printing technology.
Addressing humanitarian challenges requires a more effective involvement of a wider variety of actors, notably the private sector and the research and innovation communities. The event thus provided a forum for humanitarian innovators to meet and discuss how best to support partnerships between humanitarian actors and technology developers in the context of the Prize on Affordable High-Tech Humanitarian Aid launched by the European Commission in November 2017 under the Horizon 2020 Programme. The prize will support the development of proven, innovative humanitarian solutions with greater cost-effectiveness, based on the frugal application of advanced technologies. Five prizes, each worth EUR 1 million, will be awarded in the following categories: a) Shelter and related assistance; b) Water, sanitation and hygiene; c) Energy; d) Health and medical care; and e) Open category.
As part of the global efforts to tackle climate change and the humanitarian challenges, Eurelectric is collaborating with participating member companies to help provide reliable, sustainable and clean energy for refugees, in accordance with the Memorandum of Understanding between Eurelectric and The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). The UNHCR does not have the structure of expertise to bring together concrete business support in access to energy strategies and processes. The objective is to build capacity by mobilising experts from participating member companies to provide technical expertise. Eurelectric together with member companies attended the kick-off meeting with UNHCR in Geneva on 16 February to concertise the collaboration.