Where We Work | Africa | Sudan

Sudan

The largest country in Africa, Sudan embodies some of the continent’s most pressing and enduring divides and challenges. It is a multi-ethnic and multi-religious country with nomadic and agrarian peoples. Sudan has a wealth of natural resources, particularly oil, yet remains desperately poor. These tensions, along with enduring fallout from its colonial legacy, have resulted in decades of conflict. The 20-year conflict in Southern Sudan between the Sudanese government and the Sudan People’s Liberation Army/Movement (SPLA/M) has caused the death of over 1.5 million people and the displacement of millions more who left their homes to seek refuge in other parts of Sudan or surrounding countries. In a related conflict that began in 2003 between the government and rebels in the western area of Darfur, nearly two million people have been subjected to massive human rights abuses, driven from their villages, and forced to relocate in hastily created camps where they continue to be harassed by militias. Though the Darfur Peace Agreement was signed in May, 2006, violence in the region continues.

The recent signing of the Comprehensive Peace Accord (CPA) that addresses the North-South conflict offers a real chance for peace in the South, but true reconciliation will require broad engagement and the empowerment of churches, women’s groups, and other civil society actors as a driving force for both political dialogue and socioeconomic reconstruction. After 20 years of war, southern Sudan has virtually no infrastructure. The return and reintegration of huge numbers of internally displaced persons (IDPs) and refugees must take place in ways that do not exacerbate tribal tensions and economic inequities.

OUR HISTORY IN Sudan

LWR has a longstanding commitment to the people of Sudan dating back to work with farmers in the early 1970s. LWR’s presence continued through the famines of the 1980s and the devastating civil war that began soon after. LWR is responding to the crisis in Darfur, assisting with IDP and refugee resettlement in Southern Sudan, and working with Sudanese refugees across the border in Kenya.

LWR WORKS WITH LOCAL PARTNERS

To create sustainable rural livelihoods by:

• Establishing vocational centers in refugee camps to train refugees in skills useful for both life in the camp and back in their home countries, as well such as teacher training and school administrator training;
• Constructing schools and providing them with basic equipment;
• Helping returning refugees to restart agricultural production by providing seeds, tools, and agricultural training;
• Supporting Sudanese women living in Kenya with business management training and access to working capital through microfinance institutions.

To build peace and justice by:

• Encouraging local leadership and training leaders in gender issues, human rights, and advocacy;
• Protecting women who are vulnerable to abuse and assault in and around IDP camps while providing counseling to those who have been traumatized by rape and violence.

To respond to emergencies by:

• Providing shelter, water, food, health services, and sanitation for those displaced by the conflict in Darfur.

ACCOMPANIMENT: HOW WE WORK
Lutheran World Relief believes working with local partners is the key to lasting changes that end poverty and bring justice. We work together with trust, respect and accountability in order to most effectively serve those for whom we work.

Lutheran World Relief is a ministry of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod (LCMS), individuals and parish groups in international relief, development, advocacy and social responsibility.