As the crisis in Sudan continues to unfold, the Agence Française de Développement (AFD) announces the signature of a partnership with the Danish Refugee Council (DRC), in close collaboration with local feminist organizations, to provide comprehensive support to conflict-affected populations in Sudan and Ethiopia.
This €8 million initiative, funded through a grant from France and implemented by DRC, will run over a 24-month period. It focuses on access to essential services, promotes women’s economic empowerment, and fosters social cohesion in Gedaref (Sudan) and Benishangul-Gumuz, (Ethiopia), two regions heavily impacted by internal displacement and cross-border migration linked to the Sudanese conflict.
Women and girls at the heart of the response
Since 2023, the war in Sudan has triggered one of the world’s most severe displacement crises, with over 11 million people internally displaced and nearly 4 million refugees seeking safety in neighboring countries. Women and girls, who make up 54% of displaced populations, face heightened risks of gender-based violence (GBV), food insecurity, and limited access to essential services.
This project places women and girls at the center of recovery efforts, recognizing both their specific vulnerabilities and their essential role as drivers of positive change. It will establish Women and Girls Safe Spaces offering trauma recovery services, childcare support, and financial literacy programs designed to strengthen women’s collective agency and bargaining power.
The initiative will also support Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs) and women-led cooperatives, enabling women to save, invest, and progressively access formal financial services, while reinforcing the capacity of local women’s rights organizations to improve access to legal protection and expand economic opportunities.
Promoting economic resilience and food security
Beyond protection services, the initiative seeks to reinforce economic resilience and reduce aid dependency through locally driven and innovative solutions. It will support local production of fortified foods to combat malnutrition while reducing reliance on imports and strengthening local markets. The project will also encourage joint economic initiatives between refugees and host communities, including the co-cultivation of 300 hectares of land in Ura Woreda, fostering
livelihoods while promoting peaceful coexistence and social cohesion.
In Sudan, where inflation and liquidity shortages severely constrain economic activity, the program will explore innovative financial mechanisms such as digital wallets and diaspora financing tools to facilitate safer and
more reliable access to financial resources.
A strong political commitment from France
The project builds on the momentum of the Paris Conference on Sudan held in April 2024, a major political milestone demonstrating France’s commitment to the Sudanese people amid the crisis. During this conference, France mobilized significant financial support to respond to urgent humanitarian and development needs.
Working towards long-term recovery
This initiative also forms part of AFD’s broader support to Sudan, which amounts to €73 million, with a strong focus on food security and social cohesion. Supporting development programs is essential for Sudan’s long-term recovery, as they reinforce public service capacities, sustain economic activities, and bolster food production systems.
Working closely with local authorities and community-based organizations, these programs bridge the gap between immediate humanitarian relief and long-term stability, ensuring that communities are not only surviving but building a pathway toward self-reliance.
While this partnership represents an important step forward, the scale of the crisis demands sustained international attention and resources. AFD and its partners urge the global community to maintain support for initiatives that empower women and girls, strengthen local organizations, and foster resilient, inclusive communities across Sudan and Eastern Africa. “We are all with HER because Her is for all of them,” said Jean-François ARNAL, Regional Director for AFD in East Africa.
Danish Refugee Council is Denmark’s largest NGO. We are a leading international NGO – one of the few with a specific expertise in forced displacement. In 32 countries across the world our 6,000 employees work to protect, advocate and build sustainable futures for refugees and other displacement-affected people and communities.
