The Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) Country Representative, Suffyan Koroma; has said that the distribution of 6,000 stoves was to reduce burdens of women overcome high risks of violence and ill health. The distribution is funded by Norwegian Government; under a project of the Safe Access to Fuel and Energy (SAFE) global programme. Koroma disclosed this on Monday in Maiduguri; in a released statement of the FAO Communication Officer, Patrina Pink. “The UN food agency has trained 100 local artisans to produce 5, 000 stoves since May, with 6, 000 more planned until the end of 2018, reaching an estimated 77, 000 people,” he said, adding that they are designed to lessen burden of women and girls who are overwhelmingly tasked with firewood collection. He lamented that they face high risk of gender-based violence during foraging in insurgency affected states of Borno, Adamawa and Yobe. He said to overcome these, 5, 000 stoves have been supplied to families in 10 locations since May, adding that 6, 000 more planned for 11, 000 households by end of this year. The Federal Ministry of Health (FMH) also said that respiratory illnesses caused by smoke inhalation are the third highest cause of death. According to the ministry, the stoves lessen demand for firewood by 65 per cent, which drastically reduces smoke produced compared to traditional cooking methods. On dangers firewood cooking, Awah Ahmed, an IDP said: “The security officers try to stop us when we go to the bush to search for firewood. “When you go into the bush you can easily be attacked by Boko Haram. They can take your money, rape or kill you. So we fear going into the bush for wood.” Koroma explained: “We wanted to produce the stoves locally to boost the income generating potential of Borno’s very talented local artisans, while meeting the urgent fuel and energy needs of at-risk households. The production centres, according to him, are cited in Maiduguri, Jere and Konduga councils of Borno. He said increased use of fuel-efficient stoves will reduce dependence on the forest for fuel. He said deforestation in Borno, is a major threat to both sustainability of natural resources and long-term food security for the families; who depend on forested areas for food and income.
