Background

Nearly 70% of Sudan’s population lives in dryland areas where life depends on rain for crops, livestock and water. Over recent decades, these regions have been hit by declining rainfall, rising temperatures and repeated droughts. Families who rely on small farms or herding are finding it harder each year to grow enough food or keep their animals healthy. Many have seen their crops fail, their livestock die and their incomes shrink, deepening already widespread poverty.

These climate pressures are especially hard on subsistence farmers and nomadic pastoralists whose livelihoods are closely tied to land, water, and rangelands. There are few safety nets, credit is hard to access and support systems for farmers and pastoralists are limited. As droughts become more frequent, families have little time to recover before the next shock hits. This leaves many with no option but to sell off assets, move to cities or take on risky coping strategies that increase hardship and undermine long-term resilience.

National and state authorities also struggle with limited resources to respond to climate change. Research centres and government services produce climate information and improved farming technologies, but this knowledge rarely reaches villages at scale. Communities have repeatedly voiced the need for reliable water sources, more resilient farming options and stronger local governance to help manage land, water and grazing resources more sustainably. Women, who play a central role in food production and household wellbeing, are often the most affected but have the least support and limited ability to influence decision making.

This project responds to these challenges by supporting rural communities to adapt to a changing climate and protect their livelihoods in the years ahead.

Project details

Funded by: Green Climate Fund,

Implemented by: Higher Council for Environment and Natural Resources,

Project duration: 2020-2027,

Budget: US$ 41,185,114,

Geographic coverage: Kassala, Northern State, Red Sea State.

What we do

The project aims to strengthen resilience to climate risks by improving food production systems, increasing access to reliable and climate-resilient water sources, and enhancing the capacity of communities and institutions to manage climate impacts.

By integrating climate risk management across agriculture, water, and rangelands and reinforcing community-based governance structures, the project intends to improve water and food security while laying the foundation for long-term adaptation beyond the project period.

To improve food security, the project helps farmers use crop varieties that can withstand heat and low rainfall. It also supports women-led farms, home gardens and community seed production so families can grow more food throughout the year. Training sessions and demonstration plots show communities practical techniques for conserving soil, using water more efficiently, and adjusting planting times to match changing weather patterns.

Ensuring reliable access to water is another major focus. The project repairs and builds water yards equipped with solar pumps, constructs sand dams to capture seasonal water flows and creates improved hafirs (small reservoirs). These systems provide drinking water for households and animals, and support small-scale irrigation. Better water access reduces conflict over scarce resources and helps communities get through long dry periods.

The project also invests in people and institutions. Local councils, village committees and government extension workers receive training on climate risks, drought planning, natural resource management and early warning systems. Women’s groups gain opportunities to lead community nurseries, manage farms and access small loans to expand their activities. These efforts help ensure that knowledge and decision-making power are shared more widely.

Expected Results

The project will directly benefit 1.2 million people in 138 dryland villages across nine states. Key results will include:

• At least 200,000 farming and pastoralist households adopt more climate-resilient ways of producing food, with significant participation from women

• Communities gain reliable water through:

  • 30 repaired water yards,

  • 50 new solar-powered water yards,

  • 30 sand dams and 50 solar-powered pumps,

  • 75 new and improved hafirs,

• 2,000 hectares of degraded rangelands restored and a further 2,500 hectares managed more sustainably,

• 30 community nurseries and new tree shelterbelts established to protect farmland from sand and wind,

• Local leaders, extension workers and village committees equipped with stronger skills to plan for and manage climate challenges,

• Women gain better access to training, leadership roles and small loans to support their livelihoods,

• Improved food security, more stable incomes and greater resilience to drought across nine states.