The Agence Française de Développement (AFD) has partnered with the Danish Refugee Council (DRC), in collaboration with local feminist organisations, to launch an €8 million initiative supporting conflict-affected populations in Sudan and Ethiopia. Funded through a grant from France and implemented over 24 months, the project focuses on access to essential services, women’s economic empowerment, and social cohesion in Gedaref (Sudan) and Benishangul-Gumuz (Ethiopia), regions severely impacted by internal displacement and cross-border migration linked to the ongoing Sudan crisis.
Women and girls, who make up 54% of displaced populations in the region, face heightened risks of gender-based violence, food insecurity, and limited access to services. This initiative places them at the center of recovery efforts, establishing Women and Girls Safe Spaces that provide trauma recovery, childcare support, and financial literacy programs. The project also supports Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs) and women-led cooperatives, enabling women to save, invest, and access formal financial services, while strengthening local women’s rights organisations to expand legal protection and economic opportunities.
The initiative aims to reinforce economic resilience and food security through locally driven solutions. It supports the production of fortified foods to combat malnutrition, encourages joint economic initiatives between refugees and host communities, and promotes co-cultivation of 300 hectares of land in Ura Woreda to foster livelihoods and social cohesion. Innovative financial mechanisms such as digital wallets and diaspora financing tools are also being explored to provide safer and more reliable access to financial resources in areas affected by inflation and liquidity shortages.
This project builds on the political momentum of the Paris Conference on Sudan in April 2024, reflecting France’s strong commitment to addressing the humanitarian and development needs of Sudan. It is part of AFD’s broader €73 million support to Sudan, which prioritises food security, social cohesion, and long-term recovery by strengthening public services, sustaining economic activities, and supporting food production systems.
Through this partnership, AFD and DRC aim to bridge immediate humanitarian relief and long-term development, ensuring that affected communities not only survive but also build self-reliance and resilience. The initiative underscores the importance of sustained international support to empower women and girls, strengthen local organisations, and foster inclusive, resilient communities across Sudan and Eastern Africa.
