Kuwait, November 20, 2025 - The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development (KFAED) today signed two new development projects totaling USD 4 million in financing from the Kuwait Fund, complemented by an additional USD 4.2 million from the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) for one of the initiatives, to expand clean energy access, strengthen food and water security, and enhance community resilience across Sudan amid escalating humanitarian needs.

Sudan continues to face the world’s most severe humanitarian crisis. More than 14 million people have been displaced, over 30 million require humanitarian assistance, and 21 million face high levels of acute food insecurity. The new projects aim to provide immediate support while advancing long-term recovery for communities hosting internally displaced populations and refugees.

“Our partnership with the Kuwait Fund is driven by a shared commitment to helping countries move from relief to recovery, rebuilding systems, not just responding to crises. This is not our first collaboration in Sudan, and we are grateful to the Government of Kuwait for its continued and generous support. Kuwait is an important contributor to international development and humanitarian action, and its leadership is making a difference for communities in Sudan and beyond who are facing some of the toughest challenges.” said Ms. Emma Morley, Resident Representative of UNDP in Kuwait.

“Our support for Sudan reflects the State of Kuwait’s longstanding commitment to standing by nations in times of crisis and embodies its deeply rooted humanitarian approach that calls for assisting communities affected by disasters and severe humanitarian conditions. The challenges facing the Sudanese people today require collective efforts and strengthened cooperation to alleviate their suffering and help them overcome the current situation.
This is achieved through practical solutions that contribute to improving living conditions and enhancing community resilience. The joint projects we have implemented in cooperation with the United Nations Development Programme, which have reached eight contributions amounting to 18.6 million United States dollars since 2013, demonstrate that international cooperation can create real impact. These efforts help Sudanese communities produce their own food, access safe drinking water, and create job opportunities that enable families to support themselves and build a stable future.” said Mr. Waleed Shamlan Al Bahar, Acting Director General of the Kuwait Fund for Development.

The first project, Strengthening the Resilience of Internally Displaced Persons, Refugees, and Host Communities in East Sudan, is co-funded by the Kuwait Fund, Switzerland (USD 4.2 million), and the United Nations Development Programme, with a total value of USD 6.8 million. The initiative will support 160,000 people across Kassala, Gedaref, and Red Sea states. It will restore livelihoods by supporting climate-resilient agriculture, strengthening fisheries and livestock production, and expanding access to solar-powered water and energy solutions for communities and essential services. It will also build local capacity by training Community Management Committees, with at least 50 percent women’s participation, to ensure sustainability and inclusive governance.

Sudan’s agricultural sector is under severe strain, with 30 percent of farming households reporting serious irrigation challenges and 70 percent of farmland dependent on increasingly unreliable rain-fed agriculture. Last season, more than 40 percent of farmers were unable to plant due to water scarcity, financial constraints, and damaged irrigation systems, underscoring the urgent need for sustainable water solutions.

The second initiative, Powering Sudan’s Agriculture: Renewable Water Solutions for a Sustainable Future, is funded solely by the Kuwait Fund with USD 2 million, supporting 500,000 smallholder farmers in White Nile, Al Jazeera, Kassala, and Red Sea states. It will enhance water security and agricultural productivity by installing solar-powered irrigation systems, rehabilitating critical irrigation infrastructure, training farmers in efficient water management, and strengthening community water user associations to support fair and sustainable governance.

“With these two vital projects, Kuwait is helping to make the people of Sudan healthier and more resilient in the face of huge suffering,” said Luca Renda, UNDP Sudan Resident Representative. “These joint efforts show how, despite the horrors of war, we can support people across vast areas of Sudan to grow more food, drink safe water and find employment to support their families.”

Together, the Kuwait Fund, SDC, and UNDP are investing in recovery efforts that combine immediate support with long-term sustainability, restoring essential services, strengthening agricultural productivity, and expanding access to clean energy and water systems across Sudan.