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SUDAN

Support to food security and to the
populations' coping capacities

AREA OF EXPERTISE

Food security and livelihood

Food security and livelihood

FUNDING

MAE

BENEFICIARIES

35,000
people

FROM 2011/11 TO 2012/05

7
months

BUDGET

250,000
euros

The state of Gedaref - like the two other states in eastern Sudan - has human development indicators ranking among the worst in Sudan. According to the Sudan Household Survey of 2006, only 37.3% of the population has access to "improved" water sources against an average of 56.1% in Sudan. Similarly, only 14.6% of the population has access to health facilities against a national average of 31.4%.

However, the number of international solidarity actors is extremely low in Gedaref; only one international NGO is operating and the presence of UN agencies is very limited.
The population of Gedaref is estimated at between 1.35 and 1.87 million people (1.35 in 2009 according to UNDP and 1.87 in 2011 according to UNICEF), and nearly 50% live below the poverty line , estimated at 114 SDG per person per month (UNOCHA figures, Workplan 2011).

Gedaref region is known as the "breadbasket" of Sudan. Indeed, the rich clay soil and heavy rains between June and September (500 to 900 mm in the villages in southern Gedaref during these four months) are very favorable factors for the growing of cereals (83% of sorghum, but also millet, sesame and sunflower), mainly produced under rainfed conditions. However, productivity is very low, due to unsuitable agricultural practices and to the lack of means implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture in order to train farmers. Thus, productivity is 100 kg of sorghum per feddan (= 0.42 ha), when it could easily reach 500 or 600 kg, considering the performance achieved in other regions. Similarly, the production of fruits and vegetables is very low, due to the misuse of water (no mastering of simple irrigation techniques), a lack of general knowledge, but also the mass involvement of farmers in cereal production, which has diverted them away from all the other productive activities.

Gedaref is also a breeding territory, with 5.2 million head of cattle (UNDP, 2009), cows, sheep, goats and camels. Gureisha is one of the 10 towns in Gedaref, populated by 83,394 people (according the 5th census of Sudan in 2008). Located at the eastern end of the state, this town ranks among the less provided with basic services, and is sealed off from the rest of the country during the rainy season because of the lack of passable roads. The choice of Gureisha has been confirmed by field visits conducted by TGH, but also by the recommendations of local authorities: the local representation of the HAC, the general manager of the Ministry of Agriculture as well as the general manager of the Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation were all favorable to the focusing of TGH’s activities on this locality, which they consider to be the poorest in the state of Gedaref.