Traditional wood burning stoves have fuel efficiencies of around 10%. In addition they release a lot of smoke in the kitchen making the kitchen a health hazard. Continued exposure to smoke makes women susceptible to respiratory and eye illness.
The smokeless, fuel efficient wood burning stove reduces fuel consumption by over 30%; releases smoke to outside the kitchen and makes the kitchen a safer place. The time that women spend collecting fuel and carrying head loads over long distances is reduced. As the women are no longer exposed to the poisonous smoke anymore, the impact of the stove on the health of the women is also significant.
The United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development tell us that investing in cleaner household fuels can yield a seven fold economic benefit in health and productivity gains.
To date Vita have supported the installation of over 20,000 improved stoves in Eritrea. The demand from women for improved stoves outstrips Vita’s resources. For example in Gash Barka region the plan was to assist the installation of 5,000 stoves over a four year period. However in two years 8,000 stoves were installed – already surpassing the target by 160%!
In the local language the stoves have been nicknamed by women as ‘Adhanet’ meaning saviour.
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