Sudan
Internal conflict and drought have devastated the Sudan for decades. Famine and fighting between the mainly Islamic north and Christian south has claimed the lives of as many as 2 million people and displaced 5 million more since 1983. Fighting in Darfur province between 2003 and 2006 alone killed approximately 200,000 people and displaced another 2.5 million.
Sudan: the facts
Eighty percent of the population relies on agriculture for a living, but less than 7 percent of the land is arable and water is scarce. Only 30 percent of the rural population has access to safe drinking water and diarrhea related illnesses and guinea worm are subsequently widespread. Diseases such as malaria, typhoid, hepatitis A and E and dengue fever are also common. Although only 1.1 percent of the population – 350,000 people – are living with HIV/AIDS, this is rising.
The Sudan’s average life expectancy is only 62 years, and the infant mortality rate is 57 deaths per 1,000 live births.
There are large regional disparities in economic and social development, especially in Southern Sudan and Darfur. Primary school enrolment, for example, is 63 percent nationwide. However, in some western and southern States it’s below 20 percent. Just 30 percent of students graduate to secondary school and only half of adult females are literate.
The Republic of South Sudan achieved its independence in July 2011, although fighting in border regions has claimed hundreds of lives since. Fighting also continues irregularly in the Darfur region.
Our Sudan emergency appeal is helping provide humanitarian assistance to vulnerable southern Sudanese communities as South Sudan builds on its independence.
Sudan’s $36.8 billion external debt continues to be a significant constraint to economic and social developments.
Caritas Australia in Sudan
Through our 2 local partners Caritas Australia implemented 5 projects in the Sudan in 2010/2011. A total of $928,322 was spent on projects covering a variety of issues including HIV/AIDS, Education, Disaster Risk Reduction and Emergencies.
Snapshot of our recent work
Caritas Australia has provided basic HIV/AIDS training to church members and parish development committees in South Sudan. These trainees have carried out awareness campaigns and educational programs in their parishes and a further 273 people in their communities.