Sudan

Practical Action Sudan

Practical Action has been working in Sudan since 1974, with a permanent country office established in 1992.

‘Normal’ life for the people of Sudan is very hard to imagine. Of those who have survived, many have been displaced and are living in IDP (International Displaced Persons/refugee) camps, and those who are still in their own villages are struggling. Violence is a fact of life, with women being particularly vulnerable to attack. Life is incredibly hard life, and the search for food, water and adequate shelter is daily battle in itself.

In the half century since Sudan gained independence, the country has been gripped by a bloody civil war that has worsened in recent years. As a result hundred of millions of people have been displaced and hundreds of thousands killed. The droughts, in addition to lack of resources, has meant tensions have risen.

However out of this suffering there is some hope, and Practical Action has been working with the people of Sudan to improve their quality of life and to empower them to move forward, out of poverty and crushing need.

Practical Action Sudan is currently operating in three geographical areas, eastern Sudan in Kassala and Gedarif States, western Sudan in North Darfur State, and Blue Nile State. Examples of the simple technologies we demonstrate include:

Improved cooking stoves These simple clay stoves use one third of the amount of firewood as a traditional fire, saving time and reducing the risks to women gathering wood. Greening Darfur with dams We are helping to build dams that collect and store the rain that falls in Darfur’s brief rainy season, turning barren deserts into fertile farmland. Using sand and gravel to filter polluted water We are using Sudan’s sand to alleviate drought. Simple sand and gravel filters can protect traditional reservoirs from contamination and silting.

Ceramic fridges The zeer pot uses evaporation to keep food fresh in the heat of Sudan. One earthenware pot is set inside another, with a layer of wet sand in between. Donkey ploughs Working with local communities in Sudan, Practical Action has introduced a light, inexpensive metal plough that can be pulled by a donkey. Animal-drawn carts A simple donkey cart allows a Sudanese farmer to transport all his produce to market in one trip, saving packing costs and journey times.

Read more about our work in Sudan on the Practical Action Sudan website