As Sudan endures the world’s largest humanitarian crisis, UNDP and the Government of Switzerland are working not just to meet emergency needs but also to lay the foundations for long-term recovery.

The challenges are immense. 

Sudan is experiencing some of the world’s worst violence and most shocking human rights abuses. In Darfur and Kordofan, fighting rages, accompanied by mass executions and rapes, and there is little sign of a peace agreement.

More people are hungry in Sudan than in any other country. With irrigation systems crippled, farming decimated, markets inaccessible and costs for diesel and fertiliser spiralling, over 21 million people are acutely food insecure, including nearly 5 million malnourished children under five. 

More people have been forced from home in Sudan than anywhere else. Almost 14 million people are estimated to have been displaced, many seeking refuge in already vulnerable communities where basic services are overwhelmed. 

However, most parts of the country can still be reached and projects to boost crop yields, livelihoods and living conditions can still save lives, even as the war continues.

In early 2025, Switzerland committed CHF 3.5 million to the “Strengthening the Resilience of IDPs, Refugees and Vulnerable Host Communities in East Sudan (STRIDES)” project. This two-year initiative targets 160,000 people in Kassala, Gedaref, and Red Sea States, which together have absorbed nearly 1.8 million displaced people since the conflict began.

The project supports 20,000 smallholder farmers to restore agricultural productivity by providing them with seeds, training and equipment like tractors and harvesters. It also helps restock livestock and offers veterinary services to improve animal health. In addition, the initiative creates employment opportunities through cash-for-work schemes and provides micro-grants to help small businesses restart and grow.

As yields grow, market prices come down and people have more purchasing power, contributing to a fall in the number of people who are acutely food insecure from 26 to 21 million in the last few months.

For farmers like Hanadi in Al-Mafaza, new machinery is a game changer. The short planting season in Al-Mafaza makes it essential to prepare the land as quickly as possible, which can’t be done at scale without machines. Now Hanadi can plow, plant and harvest at the right time every year. She’s currently preparing to plant sesame and corn and expects her yields to be the highest she’s ever had. 

STRIDES rehabilitates and solarizes water systems to ensure reliable access to clean water. It distributes solar lighting, radios and phone chargers to displaced households to improve daily living conditions. The project also installs solar streetlights in key areas to enhance safety and reduce the risk of gender-based violence.

To help build long-term stability, the project organizes peace dialogue forums and cultural events that promote coexistence and mutual understanding – both essential for any future peace process to be sustainable. At the same time, STRIDES empowers women and youth by encouraging their active participation in decision-making and leadership roles.

By investing in rural recovery, UNDP and Switzerland are helping to reduce food prices through increased production, creating jobs and restoring local economies. By making sure our projects involve both displaced populations and host communities, we also strengthen social cohesion.

For Hanadi, this approach has been very welcome. When war broke out, her relatives were displaced and lost everything. Now they live near Hanadi and can support themselves through farming with the help of the project.

But Sudan remains the world’s largest humanitarian crisis and the needs are immense. UNDP and Switzerland are showing what’s possible when emergency aid is paired with strategic investment in recovery, but we must urgently scale up support and replicate successful models like this in other communities across Sudan. 

We call on the international community to redouble its support. Together we can support millions of people crying out for assistance and minimize the toll of war beyond the growing battlefield.  

Check our UNDP/Switzerland Partnership for a snapshot of 🇨🇭 Switzerland’s priorities, delivered through UNDP.