Clean cookstoves to help protect forests of Virunga National Park (World Heritage Site).
Virunga National Park is located at the heart of the conflict, and straddles the border between the DRC, Rwanda and Uganda. Home to some of the world’s last remaining Mountain Gorillas, it is Africa’s first national park, a World Heritage Site and is known to contain more species of mammals, birds and reptiles than any other protected area on the planet.
In the aftermath of the Rwandan Genocide, 15 years of violent conflict in eastern Congo produced one of the worst humanitarian tragedies in recent history. Fighting between rebel militias and government troops, the breakdown of the rule of law and the gradual destruction of all social infrastructures are believed to have contributed to over 5 million civilian deaths.
Conflict over natural resources is an underlying cause of armed conflict. Natural forests in particular harbor some of the more established armed groups. Illegal trafficking of forest resources, in particular charcoal, provides armed groups with one of their primary sources of income. In 2008, the annual turnover of illegal charcoal was estimated at over US$ 30 million, much of which is captured by the armed groups who control the trade. 92% of charcoal used in Goma and Northern Rwanda comes from Virunga National Park.
VILLAGE BRIQUETTE FACTORIES PROJECT
Vision
To protect the forests of Eastern Congo by creating 34,000 employments in an alternative energy industry.
Mission
Launch 5,000 Village Briquette Factories, each employing 6 people, and support their development as sustainable businesses through training, advice and market development.
Protecting Virunga’s Forests
To replace the consumption of charcoal in Goma with a viable and sustainable alternative, thereby preventing the massive destruction of Virunga’s forests. Over 70,000 tons of charcoal is illegally produced every year. This represents the destruction of over 15,000 hectares of tropical hardwood forest.
Reducing Poverty
To create 34,000 sustainable employments in the conflict affected areas by 2012. Complete factory kits, consisting of the necessary equipment, training, support and a guaranteed purchase of production will be given to 5,000 teams of 6 people. Briquette producers can generate enough income to support their families within 10 days of their 2-day training.
Sustainably financing Virunga National Park
To develop the Village Briquette Factories as a high yielding business model. Profits will be partly re-invested to further develop the program, and partly used to cover a significant proportion of the running costs of Virunga National Park.
VILLAGE BRIQUETTE FACTORIES PROJECT | Institut Congolais pour la Conservation de la Nature | Virunga National Park | PDF
More information | Virunga Alliance web site
© Parc National des Virunga.
