The Republic of Sudan is the third-largest country in Africa, with a total area of 1,882,000 square kilometres. It has an estimated population of 42 million people, of which 5.5 million are estimated to be in need of humanitarian assistance (4.8 million with insecure food supply and 2.3 million children suffering from acute malnutrition).
The Republic of Sudan is the third-largest country in Africa, with a total area of 1,882,000 square kilometres. It has an estimated population of 42 million people, of which 5.5 million are estimated to be in need of humanitarian assistance (4.8 million with insecure food supply and 2.3 million children suffering from acute malnutrition). Sudan faces major humanitarian challenges caused by the impact of conflict that has led to large-scale population displacement, climatic and socio-cultural changes and subsequent high levels of food insecurity and malnutrition. The discontinuation of wheat and flour subsidies in February 2018, coupled with continuous devaluation of the Sudanese pound (SDG), caused shortages of essential commodities (especially fuel) and hard currency. This led to an economic crisis disrupting public services, impacting agricultural activities, and resulting in dramatic price increases for staple foods.
VSF Germany programmes in Sudan provide lifesaving, as well as longer-term, assistance to affected populations including displaced, pastoral and agro-pastoral communities, ensure that the assisted communities’ immediate needs are met and that their resilience is built to withstand future impacts.
The project was funded by the Sudan Humanitarian Fund (SHF) and implemented in the South Kordofan State between January 2018 to February 2019. South Kordofan has seen various episodes of conflict in recent decades that have left many communities vulnerable. Hence, the project goal was to reduce food and livelihood insecurity of vulnerable IDPs (60,946 individuals), returnees (42,396 individuals) and destitute host communities (29,148 individuals) through promoting agricultural and livestock production and income generating activities in the South Kordofan State.
Increased animal movement due to large-scale displacement places affected populations of animals and humans alike at the risk of diseases. 30 CAHWs from the targeted population were provided with refresher training and equipped with CAHWs kits and veterinary drugs to better enable them to provide animal health services to their respective communities. 600,000 heads of livestock belonging to 24,000 households were vaccinated and 18,114 heads of livestock were treated. Provision of community-based veterinary services, including vaccination and treatment, contributed to the beneficiaries’ livestock asset protection and reduced morbidity and mortality rates.
6,150 pregnant or lactating goats were provided to 1,230 vulnerable households (5 goats per HH) to rebuild livestock assets of displaced households and avail milk for small children, hence contributing to reduce child malnutrition. Goat restocking with pregnant and lactating goats has improved access to milk for small children of the targeted destitute households.
300 women and girls were trained on fabrication of fuel-efficient stoves (FES) and 650 men and boys were organised in groups (10 members each) and trained on manufacturing stabilised soil blocks to promote resilience through the introduction of diversified income generating activities. Trained men and women received start-up kits and equipment (FES kits and soil-blocking machines). According to beneficiaries, clay fuel efficient stoves have reduced charcoal consumption, and hence the expenditure for cooking fuel, from 30 SDG per day to 10 SDG per day. Some beneficiaries make the stoves for their own domestic use, others for sale in the local markets. The raw materials needed are locally available and inexpensive. Beneficiaries make a good profit from selling stoves for 50 SDG each.
Emergency Food Security and Increasing Livelihoods Opportunities for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), Returnees and Vulnerable Host Communities in Abassiya, Habila and Dalami localities in South Kordofan State
I received five goats from VSF Germany; some of them are pregnant and some are lactating. I was also shown how to care for them, to isolate those that fall sick and to treat them appropriately with the help of a community animal health worker. It has been great; my small children are now getting milk from the lactating goats. I would like to thank VSF Germany for their efforts in assisting us.
The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development of the United Nations calls for urgent action to end poverty and other deprivations. At its heart are the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Our Project in the Spotlight contributes to achieving the following SDGs:
VSF Germany supports healthcare management of livestock to improve production and productivity. Livestock provides labour and income, builds social capital, provides resources to maintain and improve livelihoods, increases financial capital, serves as a liquid assets and savings account and is a buffer against sudden disasters. Over decades, the involvement of VSF Germany in eradicating rinderpest and in the on-going peste des petits ruminants (PPR) eradication campaign has contributed significantly towards protecting livestock assets of the rural poor in Africa.
Regular consumption of animal source foods improves children’s cognitive and physical development. Income from livestock can cover the costs of education. VSF Germany also contributes to capacity building for farmers and pastoralists to improve production/husbandry techniques/skills.
Pastoralists in the Horn of Africa live in arid and semi-arid regions where water is a scarce resource. VSF Germany supports communities in improving their access to and management of safe water for human and animal consumption. VSF Germany also helps livestock keepers in the application of sanitation and hygiene standards for improved human and animal health as well as food safety.
Esmael is an Ethiopian veterinarian who has specialised in development studies, and particularly in rural development. Since January 2018, Esmael has been Country Director for Sudan.
He has also attained an advanced certificate in Humanitarian Leadership and Management. Previously, he worked for GIZ, CARE, AMREF Health Africa and the Regional Veterinary Lab, Afar Region, Ethiopia. He joined VSF Germany’s Ethiopia Country Programme in 2012. Between 2012 and 2017, he served in various capacities, among other things as Project Manager and Country Programme Manager.
Esmael calls VSF Germany to invest in livelihood know-how and programme work aimed at strengthening resilience in the medium and long term and at enabling sustainable development. He always feels empowered and free to exercise his experience and skills. He derives his motivation from the desire to always be occupied and doing something useful for people in need with VSF Germany’s support. His long-term goal is to become an eloquent development and humanitarian professional with sound practical knowledge about the region, contributing towards reducing poverty by working for a reputable organisation like VSF Germany.