Desalegn Getaneh

Desalegn Getaneh is the Director of Gaia Association, an Ethiopian resident charity based in Addis Ababa. Desalegn is highly experienced in energy program planning and development with an emphasis on efficiency and the use of alternative energy resources such as biofuels, biomass and solar. He is an expert in formulating energy strategy/delivery in humanitarian settings. Under Desalegn’s management, Gaia Association serves as Implementing Partner to UNHCR and administers a clean household energy program to over 60,000 refugees. This program includes approximately 9,000 ethanol cookstoves and has delivered over 4.5 million liters of ethanol fuel to refugee households since its inception in 2006. Desalegn has grown this program over the years, working to include solar lighting and develop innovative delivery models, such as an ethanol stove and fuel social enterprise managed by female members of the refugee and host communities.