SUDAN

Facts & Figures

The Republic of Sudan is a country in Northeast Africa. It is Africa's third-largest country by area and the third-largest by area in the Arab league. Egypt borders it to the north, Libya to the northwest, Chad to the west, the Central African Republic to the southwest, South Sudan to the south, Ethiopia to the southeast, Eritrea to the east, and the Red Sea to the northeast. It was also the largest country by area in Africa and the Arab League by area before the secession of South Sudan in 2011.

Area: 1,886,068 square kilometers (728,215 square miles)
No. of states: 18 States
Capital: Khartoum, the largest city
Population: 44.91 million people
Ethnic groups: Sudanese Arabs (approximately 70%), Fur people, Beja people, Nuba people, Nubian people
Languages: Arabic language: Sudanese Arabic, Najdi and Hejazi Arabic, Chadian Arabic, Nubian language, Beja/Bedawit language.

For more than three decades, Sudanese people have been filled with resentments, having experienced much affliction due to the instability of politics; more than thirty years of marginalization and vulnerability of communities across the country lead to deterioration of living conditions below the recognized poverty line. The situation has become unendurable. Even after the political transition, which did not last long, being seized by an oppressive military coup, the need for humanitarian support continued to grow in all parts of the country, including the capital city, Khartoum. The problem is driven by an economic crisis exacerbated by COVID-19 containment measures, protracted internal displacement, unprecedented flooding in 2020, disease outbreaks, and more than 1.1 million refugees and asylum seekers hosted by Sudan. The situation is intricate and needs much effective planning to get out of those crises, especially in the absence of essential infrastructure services such as clean water, sewage, roads, electricity, telecommunications, to name a few, to support the primary livelihood of the citizens and businesses. Hundreds of forgotten areas with economic potentials have been left behind, where inhabitants suffer marginalization and lack of self-realization. Such areas are our target sites, with the assurance of residents' enthusiasm to grow and thrive.

Sudan has the longest river in the world with the sweetest water one can ever drink. However, an estimated 13 million people have difficulty obtaining water for human or agricultural benefits. Only 68 percent of households have access to water, with many disparities in access between rural and urban populations.

78% of the urban population don't have access to water

64% of the rural population don't have access to water

32% of the population is drinking contaminated water

The high incidence of debilitating diseases persisting for decades had increased dramatically, reflecting difficult conditions and inadequate diets, which are hard to control without substantial capital inputs, a much more adequate health care system, and the population's education in preventive medicine. There is a significant gap in the availability of medical centers, treatment, and medical equipment on which medical care mainly depends.

Health Workforce Density

5.6 physicians per 10,000 population

47.6 nurses and midwives per 10,000 population

Education is one of the most powerful instruments for reducing poverty and inequality and lays a foundation for sustained economic growth. And although Sudan is the cradle of Nubian civilization and has one of the oldest educational institutions globally, the University of Khartoum, many barriers to education still exist. Unavailability of funds and classrooms, lack of educational materials, and prolonged walking commute.

Out of school children - 47.1% of boys and 52.9% girls

Adolescents who didn't receive an education - 49% male 51% female

It is imperative to provide water and sanitation to people living in marginalized areas, especially since access to health, education, and other social and cultural services, is unattainable. And as villages expand, the cost of living increases, and the strain on the environment and natural resources elevates.

Sudan is endowed with rich natural resources and productive, fertile land that can provide lifetime sustenance and a foundation for social and economic development. Therefore, the need to utilize and safeguard them is also critical.