Conflict, health, and electricity: An empirical assessment of the electrification of healthcare facilities in Yemen

Abstract

While the effect of energy on conflict is well-studied, scholars have rarely investigated the impacts of conflict on electricity (setups) and healthcare. Prolonged violence has exacerbated Yemen's energy crisis — a dynamic which has also affected healthcare facilities. We construct and analyse a dataset of healthcare facilities, including their power mix and conflict situation. The study addresses both researchers of the energy-health-conflict nexus and Yemen analysts. We perform interviews, QGIS mapping, hierarchical clustering, and logistic regressions to review the situation, identify relevant patterns, and estimate the conflict's impact.Our analysis reveals that most facilities (58 %) have no electricity, but patterns are diverse and non-trivial. Rural facilities have either never had electricity (‘Deserted Village Units’) or their power has been cut off (‘Brownout Stations’). In contrast, some facilities in cities have switched to sophisticated hybrid systems (‘War-torn City Hospitals’). A large, spatially concentrated group of mid-sized facilities managed to go from no electricity to all-solar (‘Solar Centres’). The role of conflict is non-monotonous and depends on the exposure and type. Both the most-affected and least-affected facilities tend to have electricity, while those in between are left behind. Ground combat decreases the probability of obtaining solar energy, while airstrikes do not. Knowledge and knowhow remain a strong lever to support development, e.g. by promoting hybrid systems and solar mini-grids. The dynamics showcase the transformative and redistributive moment of conflict which deprives some of electricity but facilitates novel technologies elsewhere. We advocate for research and policy focusing on technological shifts in conflict-affected countries.