Three decades of civil unrest, coupled with recurrent drought, left the Sudan ranked near the bottom of the 2010 Human Development Index, at 154 out of 169 countries. Poverty is deeply entrenched, particularly among small-scale farmers who practise rainfed agriculture. Sudan’s people face severe inequalities in access to education, sanitation, clean water, infrastructure, natural resources, income opportunities, justice and political protection.

The Sudan faces numerous challenges. Population growth is high. Poor natural resource management has had a negative impact on fragile ecosystems, resulting in erosion, loss of soil fertility and damage to watersheds. A further threat is presented by climate change impacts such as water scarcity. Low agricultural productivity and volatile food prices are hampering household food security. Farmers lack technical knowledge and access to credit and to distribution and marketing channels.

Yet gross national income per capita has more than tripled over the past decade, growing from US$340 in 2000 to US$1,220 in 2010. Agricultural spending as a proportion of the national budget almost doubled, increasing from 10 per cent in 2000 to 18 per cent in 2007 – a hopeful sign in a country where agriculture is the main livelihood of 60 to 80 per cent of the population.

IFAD-supported projects in the Sudan have shown that development in war-affected states can work. Since 1979, these projects have benefited almost 500,000 households. We have invested a total of US$257 million in financing for 19 programmes and projects with a total value of US$604 million. All of our initiatives are community driven and focused on achieving self-reliance, and they actively engage women in the development process.

IFAD-financed programmes have helped increase agricultural production and provide crucial infrastructure while aiding communities to assert traditional rights to resources and promote good local governance. More than 700 community associations have been formed, including village development committees, water users’ associations and savings and credit groups. Availability of extension services has improved. Around 30,000 households have gained access to social services such as health centres and schools. These are crucial components of resilience.

In July 2011, the southern region of the country became the Republic of South Sudan. In both countries, IFAD will continue to concentrate on tackling issues that underlie conflict and aggravate poverty. Our response will include support to the agricultural sector, land reform, equitable distribution of resources and participation of communities in decision-making.