The January 2011 referendum which ultimately granted South Sudan its independence was a defining moment for Sudan and for Africa. However, splitting the country has had ripple effects on Sudan, which are still manifesting in slow economic growth and increased tensions over scarce resources including oil.
Sudan has suffered through generations of civil conflict since the country gained national independence in 1956. While the Comprehensive Peace Agreement signed in 2005 ended decades of fighting between the north and south, communities still struggle to rebuild after years of devastation that claimed countless lives and wrecked vital infrastructure. Many communities in the Kordofans and Blue Nile, as well as Abyei, remain affected by violence, which affects agriculture and livelihoods, disrupts public services such as health clinics and schools, and causes widespread displacement as people flee their homes with nothing but the clothing on their backs. The violent, ongoing conflict in Darfur has torn the country apart since February 2003 – over 300,000 Sudanese civilians have been killed, and more than 2.5 million individuals are displaced within Sudan while 220,000 refugees have fled Sudan for Chad and South Sudan, among other places. Since 2004, Relief International has responded to the widespread ramifications of these crises, providing relief and development support to Sudan’s most vulnerable populations of women, children and families struggling to survive each day with dignity.
RI’s programming is built around providing health and nutrition services for internally displaced communities settled in camps around El Fasher, in North Darfur. RI helps build the capacity of the Sudanese Ministry of Health to serve malnourished women and children, including giving many various behavioral change trainings and lessons in breastfeeding and childcare. RI-managed clinics treat thousands of malnourished children, providing therapeutic foods and proper vaccinations and medicine. RI also is managing a successful agriculture and livelihoods program for the IDPs, through community savings and loan groups, farmer training, providing vouchers for improved agriculture inputs (such as animal traction and improved seeds), and improved access to water for garden and crop irrigation.
Sudan - Current Programs
Sudan: Integrated Emergency Support to Flood Affected Populations in Khartoum and North Darfur
Since July 2013, Sudan has received unusually high levels of rainfall. Communities in Khartoum and North Darfur have been severely affected by repeated flash flooding. RI’s emergency response project will work to restore access to clean water, improve sanitation and waste removal, and supply essential food and non-food items to communities. Learn More...
Sudan: Early Recovery and Resilience in Darfur
RI is providing life-saving health and nutrition services as well as agriculture and livelihoods support that will help strengthen food security and resilience of IDPs and host communities. Learn More...
Sudan - Past Programs
- Sudan: Emergency Health for Populations in Darfur
- Sudan: Combating Malnutrition in Darfur
- Sudan: Village Empowerment for Sustainable Peace in Darfur