Canadian Red Cross

Published purpose

Eastern Sudan in general -and Kassala state in particular -remain desperately under-developed parts of the country, suffering the legacy of years of recurring drought and regional conflict leading to large-scale internal displacement and refugee influx. More than 62,000 people are currently displaced in the region, overstretching already inadequate state services and local coping capacity. With the help of CIDA funding, the project aims to improve access to primary health care, water, and sanitation facilities for the conflict-affected communities (internally displaced persons, refugees, and locals) in Kassala state. The Canadian Red Cross Society and its partners (the Netherlands Red Cross and the Sudanese Red Crescent Societies) are providing an integrated package of assistance with a focus on health-related activities. These include providing support to three primary health care units and outreach activities for targeted communities. Other activities include the creation or repair of 37 wells, the construction of community latrines, and the provision of hygiene awareness training. The project is expected to reach an estimated 105,000 persons in the target communities.