July 2011: ACTED launches an emergency call for donations, to support populations affected by the drought and famine in the Horn of Africa

The road to early recovery: supporting improved access to basic services and food security in Sudan

In 2010, ACTED’s mission in Sudan focused on ensuring emergency access to basic services, while also supporting early recovery and rehabilitation in both Darfur and South Sudan. In the Darfur region, ACTED continued to provide emergency water, sanitation and hygiene support in camp areas for internally displaced populations, while also expanding its support to vulnerable local communities in rural parts of West Darfur.

Broadening support to host communities in conflict-affected areas of West Darfur

In West Darfur, where tens of thousands of people remain displaced in the context of ongoing conflict between the central government and rebel groups, ACTED continued to provide essential emergency support within IDP camps. This support focused on sanitation and hygiene services, which are critical to ensuring the health and dignity of the people. At the same time, ACTED extended its support to include underserved rural populations living in conflict-affected areas in West Darfur. Few international organizations have intervened in these rural communities because of insecurity in the area and a focus on the heavily populated IDP camps.  However, the water, sanitation, and hygiene situation in rural areas is similarly urgent. ACTED therefore provided life-saving support by improving access to water and sanitation facilities, and conducting hygiene promotion activities. In total, 14 latrine blocks were constructed, 3 refuse pits installed, 6,000 people were trained in hygiene promotion, and 225 people engaged in drainage improvements. In addition to improving access to basic services and improving the general health and hygiene situation in the targeted areas, ACTED’s parallel interventions in the rural, host communities and IDP camps mitigated the risk of conflict between populations, by addressing grievances among local residents who feel neglected by the international community.

Scaling up support in an historic year of change in Sudan

Sudan has undergone historic changes in 2011. With the formal separation of the South in July, 2011 is a critical year for recovery and development throughout the country. In Darfur, although emergency support continues to be an urgent need in the IDP camp areas, return migration and continual internal displacement is ongoing in rural areas outside the camps. ACTED therefore continues to expand its activities into these conflict-affected and underserved areas, to support both local host communities and IDP populations, in order to address emergency WASH needs, but also support early recovery and local livelihoods.