Dominican Republic expands clean cooking program for vulnerable households

The Dominican Republic’s Ministry of Energy and Mines (MEM) has expanded its ‘Cocinas Limpias’ (Clean Kitchens) program, which aims to replace the use of firewood and charcoal with liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) in vulnerable households.

To date, 825 families have benefited from the initiative. The program recently incorporated 100 additional nuclei in the María Trinidad Sánchez province, specifically in the Nagua municipality and surrounding communities such as Los Guayabitos, Los Cuervos, Catalina, Alemania, and Los Memisos. Beneficiaries received stoves, LPG cylinders, hoses, and installation accessories.

Vladímir Ozorio, Director of Social and Community Management at the MEM, noted that the transition aims to reduce health risks associated with prolonged smoke exposure and the physical labor required for traditional cooking methods. The initiative aligns with Sustainable Development Goal 7, which promotes access to affordable and modern energy services. The Ministry provides technical training on safety and usage, alongside follow-up monitoring to ensure families do not return to solid fuels.