Since the outbreak of conflict in 2023, nearly 6.9 million people have been pushed into extreme poverty. Farming communities have collapsed, more than 70% of health care facilities in conflict-affected areas have shut, and diseases such as cholera, HIV and TB have become more prevalent. Children’s education has been disrupted. UNDP reports it plans to continue supporting Sudan in the long term, including through access to services, clean energy, training and livelihood programs that strengthen communities’ self-reliance. Here is information about how UNDP is helping Sudan grow.

Clean and Sustainable Energy

UNDP provides solar-powered energy to ensure farming, health care facilities, and businesses have a cost-effective, clean, reliable, and sustainable source of energy. For example, many of the farms around the River Nile relied on diesel-fueled water irrigation systems. With the state of the economy and conflict in Sudan, this became an expensive and unreliable form of energy. Many farms had to cut back on fuel, which led to failing crops. With UNDP’s help and funding from the Republic of Korea, 300 farms received solar-powered irrigation systems, helping to maintain livelihoods in a clean and cost-effective way.

Helping Communities Grow

UNDP partnered with the UN Interim Security Force of Abyei to provide support for individuals in communities by creating jobs, supporting farmers, empowering women, providing clean water and offering training to ensure conflict resolution and peacekeeping. UNDP set up a local community management committee, giving people a voice and enabling each community to assess needs and assistance priorities. This committee identified the need for home-grown gardens, providing women with seeds, tools and training to produce food for their families while giving them the initiative to sell excess produce. UNDP established the Village Savings and Loans Association to empower women, support small businesses, and provide financial stability for more than 170 women. In one case, the association brought together 25 women from different communities to set up and run a produce business, sharing the capital and profits.

Achievements

UNDP has been working to help the people of Sudan. These efforts have:

• Reported reaching more than 6.3 million Sudanese people, refugees and migrants.
• Distributed 150 metric tons of certified seeds to strengthen agricultural resilience.
• Created more than 200,000 temporary cash-for-work jobs.

The work UNDP does would not be possible without the backing of governments in other countries and funding from supporting partners. However, the need is still growing. UNDP Sudan Resident Representative Luca Renda stated, “To truly match the courage and determination of the Sudanese people, we must do more.” UNDP continues to support the Sudanese people and its communities, helping Sudan grow in its economy, agriculture, clean energy initiative, and peace.

– Shannon Waters

Shannon is based in Middlesbrough and focuses on Business and New Markets for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr