Dominican Republic distributes LPG cooking kits in Bahoruco

The Dominican Republic’s Ministry of Energy and Mines (MEM) has distributed 125 ‘Cocinas Limpias’ (Clean Kitchens) kits to families in the Bahoruco province. This initiative aims to replace the use of firewood and charcoal with liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) for cooking.

The distribution targeted several communities within the Neiba municipality, including Dos Brazos, El Copey, El Aguacate, Los Guineos, and San Pulín. Each kit provided to the families includes a four-burner tabletop stove, an LPG cylinder, hoses, and necessary installation accessories.

This marks the sixth delivery of the program, which has now benefited a total of 725 families in vulnerable areas across the country. According to the 2021 National Household Survey (ENHOGAR-2021), approximately 5.8% of Dominican households still rely on solid fuels for cooking, consisting of 4.2% using firewood and 1.6% using charcoal.

Vladimir Ozorio, Director of Social and Community Management, stated that the program seeks to improve community health and safety. The transition to LPG is intended to reduce respiratory issues, eye irritation, and fire risks associated with smoke and solid fuel combustion in enclosed living spaces.