3rd of April, Port Sudan – More than 60,000 people will benefit from higher yields, new employment opportunities and access to clean power and water as part of a new programme targeting food insecurity and poverty in Sudan’s Red Sea state, announced today by the Government of Japan and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

The 1-year project, which is funded with US$1 million from the Government of Japan and implemented in partnership with Federal and State Ministries, national NGOs and the Japan Volunteer Centre (JVC), will provide training, equipment and loans to farmers and small business operators, including women and youth. It will also offer short-term employment on solar power and irrigation schemes and offer capacity building for local institutions and civil society groups that provide basic services.

“With more than 25 million people facing hunger, Sudan needs long-term solutions to go hand-in-hand with humanitarian aid,” said Luca Renda, UNDP Sudan Resident Representative. “This generous contribution from the people and Government of Japan will allow us to build self-reliant communities, reduce resource-based conflicts and decrease aid dependency.”

The project will provide over 4,000 people working in agriculture and fisheries with machinery, tools, agricultural inputs and training, as well as offering livestock for breeding and home consumption to almost 1,000 IDPs and women-headed households.

Vulnerable groups, associations and micro-enterprises, including IDPs and host community members, will be able to access micro-grants and village lending schemes, enabling 720 people to start up or continue small-scale businesses activities. UNDP will also provide emergency employment to almost 2,500 young people on the construction and rehabilitation of solar power and water infrastructure. This includes solar-powered irrigation systems and solar streetlights that will enhance nighttime safety for girls and women at IDP gathering sites and in host communities.

 “I am pleased to announce our continued contribution to UNDP for its valuable efforts in responding to the food crisis and supporting sustainable agricultural production and vulnerable populations in Sudan.” said Kentaro Mizuuchi, Chargé d’Affaires of Japan to Sudan.

In addition to direct support for farmers, women and youth, the project will strengthen the capacity of community and local institutions, including civil society and technical departments at the state and local levels, to improve service delivery. It will also set up and train Community-based Management Committees to ensure the voices of women and community members are heard in all project decision-making.

For more information and to arrange interviews, contact:

Hajer Suliman, UNDP Sudan, Head of Communications, hajer.suliman@undp.org (Mobile and WhatsApp +249 918 008 819

Yui Suzuki Arai, UNDP Sudan, Partnership and Programme Analyst, yui.arai@undp.org 

About UNDP Sudan 

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