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From the beginning REDI was heavily involved in developing inexpensive, but efficient, cooking and heating devices to be manufactured at the local level. It also prepared documentation on the proper use of stoves and firewood, and denounced the use of charcoal as fuel in developing countries subject to deforestation.
REDI created several models of stoves adapted for different purposes, environments and cost levels. One of the simplest and cheapest, but still efficient model is a community stove with cooking pan. Made locally out of recuperated oil drums and concrete irons, this stove was first introduced in Somalia refugee camps. It has since been used in camps around Rwanda and Burundi. Smaller versions of this stove are produced in Haiti with the intent of reducing the generalized usage of wasteful charcoal. A high point of REDI's activities was the conception followed by local industrial production (around Zagreb) of 100'000 stoves for Bosnia's 1992-93 winter relief operations under the auspices of the ICRC, UNHCR and other organisations.
REDI has also promoted its multi-fuel burners built without pump, pressure-proof tank or wicks. Working with comparable efficiency to that of the classic "PRIMUS" burner, they can be manufactured in simply equiped local workshops for a relatively small cost. For crisis situations in colder climates, but also as substitute of firewood, REDI developed heaters burning engine sump oil. Their combustion has been tested according to highest anti-pollution standards. They can be used for heating premises or for small industrial use (drying crops, heating greenhouses, melting aluminium waste), thus helping in the elimination of the potential soil pollution of sump oil.
REDI's other activities have included:

  • Water filtration units for small communities that do not require external sources of energy and are simple to maintain.
  • Harnessing of animals with locally produced devices such as the light "chinese collar" for smaller animals or the "swiss collar" better suited for heavier animals.
  • Solar cooking and sterilizing equipment for suitable conditions in developing countries.