How Gebrüder Weiss is Supporting Refugees in Uganda
Gebrüder Weiss, a global logistics leader, is transporting a high-performance photovoltaic (PV) system to the Palorinya refugee settlement in northern Uganda.
The initiative, labelled Solar Power for Palorinya, is being led by the Catholic missionary order of the Comboni Missionaries and coordinated by Brother Erich Fischnaller.
Its goal is to provide sustainable energy for training workshops aimed at equipping refugees with vital trade skills, including carpentry, metalwork and baking.
Reflecting the organisation's commitment to sustainability, Gebrüder Weiss is actively involved in sustainable development partnerships and supports initiatives that foster sustainable living.
Andreas Bilgeri, Manager of Gebrüder Weiss Air & Sea Wolfurt says: “This is an exemplary initiative by companies in the region that helps to give the local population a perspective for the future – and it also makes ecological sense.
"Solar energy instead of fossil fuels: a sustainable aid project that we are happy to support."
Reflecting the organisation's commitment to sustainability, Gebrüder Weiss is actively involved in sustainable development partnerships and supports initiatives that foster sustainable living.
Empowering young people with education and skills
One of the core goals of the project is to empower young people with education and skills to help them lead independent lives.
Previously, diesel generators powered the settlement and its training workshops, but these will now benefit from a more cost-effective and environmentally-friendly solar energy solution.
The PV system, donated by photovoltaic manufacturers and electrical engineering firms from Vorarlberg and Liechtenstein, operates off-grid and can generate up to 200 kilowatts of electricity.
The solar system's journey through the supply chain
The solar system was packed into a 40-foot sea freight container and began its journey before Christmas.
The journey involves rail transport from Wolfurt to Rotterdam, followed by shipping to Mombasa, Kenya, and finally trucking to its destination in Uganda.
Gebrüder Weiss is providing the transportation free of charge from Vorarlberg to East Africa.
With the help of numerous volunteers, the donated PV system modules were assembled, tested and packed at the company's premises before being transported.
This collaborative effort highlights the power of regional partnerships in developing sustainable solutions and delivering essential resources to underserved communities across the globe.
Matthias Burtscher, one of the coordinators of the campaign, comments: "I am very happy to have Gebrüder Weiss, an internationally experienced logistics company located in Vorarlberg, on our side.
"This simplifies the coordination processes for us and we can be sure that the solar system will arrive at its destination safely and on time."
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