The 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement ended a brutal civil war between North and South Sudan which left the country's infrastructure in tatters and some 1.5 million people dead. Sudan's first multiparty elections since 1986 were concluded and a referendum took place in Southern Sudan in January 2011 on whether the region should remain a part of Sudan or become independent. The South gained its independence in July 2011 and it is hoped that the separation will be the first step to a more permanent peace for both countries.
Ongoing projects
Millet farming in Kassala State in eastern part of Sudan. Photo/Ssenkali Mulondo.
ACORD has been working in North Sudan for over thirty years combining practical livelihood interventions and advocacy work. ACORD's goal is for the people of Sudan to live within an inclusive and a peaceful society, exercising their rights and enjoying improved livelihoods. To meet the immediate needs of communities and refugees in North Sudan ACORD is implementing livelihoods (livestock, fishery, agriculture, micro-finance) and water and sanitation projects combined with advocacy and awareness raising activities designed to create and mobilise social movements.
>> Livelihoods: ACORD is enabling small-scale farmers to meet their immediate needs through access to agricultural inputs, including improved seeds and tools, and training and organizational development for small farmer groups. Through restocking activities households are being provided with resilient livestock breeds and community animal health workers are trained in animal health care ensuring that pastoralists and animal herders are accessing veterinary and extension services. Fishing communities in the coastal areas of the Red Sea have been provided with inputs including nets and ice-boxes, and rehabilitation and supported in manufacturing of boats. The construction of reservoirs has also improved access to potable water for domestic and animal use. ACORD is also helping over 3000 poor households in particular women to access micro-finance services to initiate income generating activities. To date loans exceed $690,000.
Read more about the challenges facing small scale banana producers in Kassala State.
>> HIV/AIDS: interventions are enhancing the inclusion and care of people living with HIV/AIDS and ensure the rights of women and men in Sudan for HIV prevention with special emphasis on youth, adolescents, children, the socially excluded and marginalised internally displaced peoples (IDP) and refugees.
>> Peace-building: community sessions are organized to promote awareness and understanding of peace agreements, with focus on the Eastern Sudan Peace Agreement (ESPA). The sessions target women in rural communities, IDP camps and pastoral groups because of their limited access to normal means of communication. The overall aim is to adapt common advocacy agenda around peace in eastern Sudan. ACORD is supporting over 70 grass-roots organisations through training, institutional support and increased networking.
Where we work
ACORD works in Khartoum, Kassala and Red Sea State.
View ACORD in North Sudan in a larger map
Communities in Northern Sudan tell their stories
Elshareef is the Chair person of People Living with HIV AIDS Care Association in Gadaref State (Eastern Sudan). During an interview with ACORD, he had this to say:
"When I discovered that I was HIV positive in 2003, I found myself in a very difficult situation suffering from stigma and isolation. One day I heard that there is an organization called ACORD working in Kassala State, 200 Km from my area, so I decided to pay them a visit. I have received support and enjoy the feeling of dignity and respect not only from those working on HIV program, but also other staff working in food security, and micro finance".
Our partners in Northern Sudan
ACORD in North Sudan is one of the key actors working on HIV, especially in areas on research, advocacy, and capacity building. We are a key partner of the Ministry of Health, Sudan National AIDS Program, UNAIDS, and UNDP as the primary recipients of the Global Fund for HIV. ACORD is working closely with PLAN International (working in Kassala) to conduct a socio-economic survey to assess the current situation and prevalence of FGM in Kassala state.
ACORD receives valuable support from other donors including Oxfam Novib, USAID, CCFD-Terre Solidaire, Manitese, UNICEF and IRC UK.
Photos, videos and publications
Addressing FGM in North Sudan (DVD, 2010). This 12 minute video puts the spotlight on female genital mutilation and captures the feelings of local communities in Red Sea State. The video shows that there are deep cultural and economic implications surrounding the harmful practise therefore making its eradication an uphill task.
Arabic
In need of a new Silif, Breaking the silence on FGM among the Beja pastoralists in Eastern Sudan. It reflects on some of the socio-cultural aspects related to female genital mutilation practice among the Beja. The paper is advocating for a new Silif (tribal convention) that would legitimize the call for abandoning this harmful practice.
english
Cycles of Violence. Gender relations and armed conflict. Presents findings of ACORD's research carried out in five communities living in the
shadow of violent conflict in Sudan, Angola, Mali, Uganda and Somalia - in addition to
analysis from Eritrea and Rwanda. It finds that while gender is a factor in perpetuating violence,
it is also a factor in rebuilding social relations and peace.
english
Photos of ACORD's work in North Sudan can be sent upon request by writing to communications@acordinternational.org
How you can support communities in Northern Sudan
Financial donations and in-kind support to ACORD's North Sudan Area Programme go a long way in providing support to farming and fishing communities in rural Sudan and enhancing the inclusion of people living with HIV. Commitments and ownership by communities themselves to sustain their own facilities ensures that our programmes have a lasting impact on their livelihoods and their development.
For more information on our work in Northern Sudan please sign up to our newsletter, visit your nearest ACORD office or call us.
Ssenkali Mulondo, Area Programme Manager for ACORD in north Sudan.
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