Project Overview (Somalia)

Empowering women in Somalia 

In Somalia, more than 70% of the population lives below the poverty line of $2.15 a day. Around 78% of households still rely on charcoal or firewood for cooking—fuels that are both expensive and harmful. Every year, indoor air pollution from traditional stoves causes an estimated 27,500 premature deaths, mostly affecting women and children. 

Charcoal production is also a major driver of deforestation. It threatens vital ecosystems such as Cal Madow and the Daallo Forest, home to ancient juniper trees, rare plants, and endangered birds. These forests are essential for biodiversity, climate resilience, and local livelihoods, but they are vanishing quickly due to unsustainable fuel use. 

Our Impact with the Jikokoa Stove 

BURN’s Jikokoa is a high-efficiency charcoal stove designed to reduce both health and environmental burdens. In Somalia, it is: 

• Cutting charcoal use  
• Reducing smoke emissions  
• Saving families dollars on fuel 
• Reducing pressure on Somalia’s last remaining forests 

To date, over 100,000 stoves have been distributed, improving the lives of 2 million people and preventing more than 1 million tonnes of CO₂ emissions. The project is Gold Standard certified, ensuring measurable, verified climate outcomes. By reducing time spent cooking and collecting fuel, the Jikokoa also empowers women to pursue education, work, and care responsibilities. 

Your support helps scale clean cooking access across Somalia—protecting forests, saving lives, and generating high-quality carbon credits rooted in real impact.