The Secret Life of Energy in Refugee Camps: Invisible Objects, Technologies, and Energy Systems in Humanitarianism

Abstract

Abstract Within humanitarian systems and refugee spaces, energy technologies are often invisible and unrecognized. Beyond basic UN and emergency interventions to supply solar lanterns, lie vibrant systems of connection underpinning refugee electricity and cooking access: a world of energy needs and provision exist within refugee camps in East Africa. The article frames energy within forced migration debates on technology: contributing to the social anthropology and migration studies literature by exploring the material culture of energy in humanitarian contexts. The article argues that some forms of energy are highly visible—for example, solar lanterns and cookstoves—while others remain invisible. Certain objects are in danger of becoming fetishized by the humanitarian system while others are neglected and ignored. Analysis for this article reveals the invisibility of energy as a marginalized topic, highlights the methodological challenges of revealing the energy needs of displaced people, and explores institutional ignorance on the importance of energy.