Practical Action & World Food Programme Launches Lifesaving Water and Food Security Project in Sudan
Water & wastePress release
Practical Action is proud to announce the launch of a new initiative aimed at improving access to water, enhancing food security, and building resilience among vulnerable communities in Kassala and Gedarif states in Sudan.
The “Building Resilience for Food-Vulnerable Households through Food Assistance for Assets (FFA)” project is aided by a $2.5 million grant, with the World Food Programme (WFP) providing the fund and USAID serving as a backdoor contributor.
The project will serve five localities: Girba, New Halfa, and Telkok in Kassala; and Central Gedarif and East Galabat in Gedarif, and will commence in October 2024 and conclude by mid-February 2025, with ongoing community consultations and assessments to ensure the most effective and inclusive implementation.
Targeting communities reliant on agriculture and casual labour, the initiative addresses long-standing issues of marginalisation, underdevelopment, and chronic poverty. Many of these communities have struggled with limited access to clean drinking water, persistent food insecurity, and vulnerability to natural disasters, such as annual floods. Additionally, the conflict that began in April 2023 in Sudan has displaced over 10 million people and devastated Sudan’s infrastructure and economy. With 25.6 million people facing acute food insecurity, the need for intervention is urgent. By improving water access, the FFA project will directly support health, nutrition, and sustainable livelihoods.
Muna Eltahir, Sudan Country Director at Practical Action said: “At Practical Action, we recognise the immense challenges faced by communities in Kassala and Gedarif, where water scarcity, food insecurity, and environmental degradation have impacted livelihoods for decades. This project is a vital step toward empowering these vulnerable populations, particularly women, to rebuild their lives and strengthen their resilience against future shocks. By improving access to clean water and enhancing agricultural productivity, we aim to provide not just immediate relief, but also long-term solutions for sustainable development and food security”
Project Objectives
This initiative will provide critical water infrastructure, improve agricultural productivity, and promote long-term resilience by addressing the root causes of food insecurity. Key activities include:
- Access to Clean Water: Construction of 16 solar-powered water yards, installation of solar irrigation systems, and rehabilitation of abandoned water yards and irrigation canals to support 1,500 families.
- Sustainable Land and Water Management: Implementation of soil and water conservation techniques, afforestation, and flood control measures to enhance productivity and reduce vulnerability to climate shocks.
- Community Empowerment: Women, who are disproportionately affected by food insecurity, will be central to the project. The initiative will provide training and resources to help them increase productivity and improve their families’ health and nutrition.
About Practical Action
Practical Action is an international development organisation that uses technology to challenge poverty in developing countries. We work with poor communities to develop innovative, sustainable, and scalable solutions that improve access to clean water, enhance food security, and reduce vulnerability to climate-related disasters.
For more information
Please contact:
Dami Ahmed – [email protected]
Senior PR Officer
Practical Action