Nepal Flash Floods Response
Fueling Families, Protecting Forests
In many parts of the world, preparing a simple meal still comes at a high cost. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization, nearly 2.1 billion people depend on firewood and charcoal for cooking, quietly driving deforestation, contributing to climate change, and consuming hours of labour. At the same time, the International Energy Agency estimates that one in three people lack access to clean cooking solutions, leaving millions of families with limited and unsustainable choices.
For 38‑year‑old Champar in rural Cambodia, cooking once meant hours of collecting firewood for her family of five. It was physically demanding and came on top of her daily farming work.
When Champar first heard about World Vision’s Household Biodigesters project, she was hesitant. The idea of turning cow manure into gas for cooking felt unfamiliar. But through patient explanations and trust built with World Vision staff, her perspective shifted.
By July 2025, a biodigester was installed in her yard. Quietly working in the background, the system converts livestock waste into biogas, producing enough clean fuel for three to four hours of cooking each day. With training in system maintenance, financial literacy, and home gardening, Champar’s family began to see new possibilities. Fresh vegetables now grow in her backyard, providing nutritious meals and an additional source of income from sales.
Six months later, firewood use has dropped by 60 percent. The long walks to collect wood have decreased, freeing time for farming, caring for children, or resting. By reducing reliance on firewood and gas purchases, the family saves about US$10 each month, a modest but vital amount that helps manage daily expenses and prepare for emergencies.
Today, the Household Biodigesters project is supporting 200 low‑income families like Champar’s across multiple provinces. Together, these families are turning everyday challenges into opportunities by transforming waste into energy, reducing pressure on forests, and restoring time to those who need it most.
