Sudan

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Development Challenge The USAID Program Other Program Elements Other Donors Program Data Sheets Summary Tables USAID Search: Sudan Previous Years' Activities 2002 Last updated: 22     THE DEVELOPMENT CHALLENGE: Sudan has been embroiled in a civil war for the past 19 years. Two million Sudanese have died of war-related causes. The war, coupled with frequent droughts, has caused a long term humanitarian crisis, requiring humanitarian assistance of $1.3 billion over the past 11 years from the United States alone. Conflict and related human rights abuses are the primary development challenges for USAID in southern and eastern Sudan. The isolation of some opposition-controlled areas, such as the Nuba Mountains, in combination with continued warfare, have effectively stalled development in some regions and prevented access to even the most essential goods and services. Ongoing civil war has internally displaced more than 4 million Sudanese; people-to-people reconciliation has mitigated a long-standing ethnic conflict that caused displacement. The vast areas over which assistance needs to be provided, the enormous physical challenges - from swamp to desert-like conditions - and the lack of basic infrastructure make development logistically very difficult and costly. Many Sudanese in areas outside of Government of Sudan (GOS) control lack the capacity to manage their own rehabilitation and development as a result of little or no access to basic education, agricultural skills, business opportunities or markets for the past several decades. Extremely high rates of illiteracy, poor quality production and inaccessible markets are the results of historical underdevelopment in southern Sudan and 19 years of war. There has been a near-total disruption of health care services in areas outside of Government of Sudan (GOS) control. Polio, malaria, Guinea worm, river blindness, and other diseases are prevalent. HIV/AIDS is a significant threat in opposition-held areas of Sudan. Many communities in areas outside of government control are working hard to help themselves, but need support in becoming more efficient and effective. The U.S. national interests in Sudan are to end international terrorism, promote regional stability, and safeguard human rights. Given its size, potential oil wealth, and location in the volatile Horn of Africa, it is important to U.S. interests to see the Sudanese reach a just, negotiated resolution to the civil war in Sudan. THE USAID PROGRAM: FY 2002 Estimate: $12.249 million FY 2003 Request: $22.3 million In order to strengthen the momentum for reconciliation, increase the engagement of the various factions in the peace process, and address severe constraints to development in stable areas outside of GOS control, USAID is expanding its program beginning in FY 2002. The Program Data Sheets provided below cover the three objectives for which USAID is requesting funding. These objectives concentrate on conflict prevention, food security, and primary health care, with the overall goal of building Sudanese capacity and reducing their dependency on external assistance. FY 2002 Development Assistance funds will be used to implement programs in: improved governance, including rule of law; expanding and consolidating peace-building among communities, including pastoralist groups; conflict mitigation; voluntary return and resettlement of displaced persons; economic rehabilitation, including agricultural revitalization; basic and vocational education; and improved access to health care. The specific activities to be funded by FY 2002 and FY 2003 appropriations are described in more detail in the following Program Data Sheets. USAID will use a portion of the FY 2002 funding to begin new agriculture and education activities, while the remaining amount will fund ongoing efforts. The current strategy for Sudan is scheduled to expire in FY 2002, and it is likely to be extended with modifications. ONGOING PROGRAMS FOR WHICH NO FY 2002 OR FY 2003 FUNDING IS REQUESTED: Prior to FY 2001, USAID funds for Sudan were obligated under a Regional Economic Development Services Office for East and Southern Africa (REDSO/ESA) strategic objective. USAID is not requesting new funds for this objective, but is continuing to expend funds already appropriated. Number: Title: Last Notified: Planned Completion: 623-003 GHAI Implementation FY02 CBJ, p. 763 FY 2003 OTHER PROGRAM ELEMENTS: USAID integrates humanitarian and development assistance in addressing the challenges posed by Sudan. Various USAID funding sources (DA, emergency assistance and food aid) are jointly programmed to achieve U.S. Government objectives and to avoid duplication or overlap. The United States provides over 80% of total food assistance to Sudan. In FY 2001, USAID together with the U.S. Department of Agriculture provided 133,000 metric tons of commodities (worth more than $110 million) in P.L. 480 Title II food assistance to meet critical food needs of vulnerable populations in both northern and southern Sudan. The World Food Programme (WFP) is USAID's largest implementing partner, helping to deliver food in the more remote areas countrywide, especially in southern Sudan. Humanitarian access to a number of locations is often difficult due to harsh environmental conditions and insecurity, requiring the food be flown in, and allocated through a direct distribution program. Even under these conditions, food assistance reached over 3 million beneficiaries last year. In relatively stable areas, food assistance complements development activities by providing an increased focus on school feeding and food-for-work activities to enhance rural development. USAID's Africa Bureau implements the Strategic Analysis for Capacity Building activity to foster policy studies and build Sudanese expertise in agriculture and natural resources management. USAID's Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance supports emergency programs to meet basic service, food security and health care needs of vulnerable groups in drought affected and conflict prone areas. The Department of State provides funding to strengthen the negotiating capacity of northern and southern opposition movements affiliated with the umbrella group, the National Democratic Alliance. The Department also supports refugee programs in Kenya and Uganda. USAID's Regional Economic Development Support Office for East and Southern Africa manages the programs outlined in the Program Data Sheets while other, primarily humanitarian, programs are managed by USAID/Washington and the Department of State. It is important to note that humanitarian assistance is provided in both government controlled and opposition controlled areas of Sudan (to war and drought affected populations), whereas development assistance is provided only in areas outside government control. OTHER DONORS: The U.S. is the only major donor providing development assistance to areas outside Government of Sudan control. The European Commission may re-establish its assistance program in selected food insecure areas of southern Sudan in 2002. Program Data Sheets 650-001  Enhanced Environment for Conflict Reduction 650-002  Enhanced Food Security through Increased Reliance on Local Resources 650-003  Enhanced Primary Health Care through Greater Reliance on Local Capacities Country Background Information Resources     CIA Factbook Library of Congress National Geographic Country Maps State Dept. Country Information

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