Background

The current conflict in the Darfur region of Western Sudan which erupted in early 2003 has caused suffering to civilians .The estimated 2.5 million of the civilian population that has been forced to flee from their rural homes are relying on food aid in displacement camps. Before the conflict, agriculture and livestock used to be the main livelihood strategies for rural Darfurians. However, livestock was either looted during attacks ,or sold through distress when displaced people first arrived to the camps. In addition, livestock migration routes have been blocked due to the conflict causing serious overgrazing. In the present setting, the loss of land and insecurity have hindered the potential of agriculture as a livelihood strategy. Trading patterns and markets have been severely disrupted. Host communities have not been spared from price distortions, mainly as a result of food aid.

The situation in Darfur is complex and volatile. The conflict is rooted in competition over natural resources such as water between nomads and rural communities, economic marginalization of the Darfur region as well as tribal and ethnic clashes. For the past several years, the international community has focused on life-saving interventions creating dependencies and disempowering people. The assumption that food rations cover all the food needs of displaced people is mistaken. Studies conducted in camps have shown that families sell their rations to cover other needs and this has resulted in malnutrition particularly among children.

Local people have certain preferences for example they prefer locally produced sorghum and cooking oil and therefore sell their rations to buy local food which is more expensive. There is general consensus among practitioners on the need for the incorporation of longer term support with conflict resolution potential to cover livelihoods needs of all communities (Internally Displaced Persons, urban and rural communities including nomads) in Darfur whilst at the same time providing relief.

To help fill this gap, UNDP with the support of its Bureau for Crisis Prevention and Recovery (BCPR) started the Darfur Livelihoods Programme involving a large number of local, national and international partners.

Objectives
The Darfur Livelihoods project aims to prepare the ground for enhanced socio-economic recovery. The specific objectives are:
• To enhance employment opportunities through vocational training in such skills as construction, motor and bicycle repairs, carpentry, welding.
• To enhance the recovery of the local economy ownership and sustainability through capacity development of local NGOS and CBOs.
• To support the development of curricula and delivery of certified skills training for youths including girls and particularly IDP youths for access to formal employment.
• To enhance exchange of knowledge, experiences and information on livelihoods and natural resources management in Darfur through the establishment of a web based platform.
• To strengthen enterprises and increase their income through capacity development of economic organizations such as cooperatives and farmers unions and assisting producers to maximize profits by developing commodity value chains.

Snapshots of the project's major achievements
• Provided financial support to the organization of the First National Consultative Forum on Microfinance entitled: “Microfinance best practices in conflict-affected countries –challenges and opportunities for Sudan”. The event led to several recommendations for the microfinance sector in Sudan, which have been embraced by several players in the Finance Sector including the Central Bank of Sudan and the General Assembly of the Sudanese;
• Developed a web-based platform for sharing microfinance related news in Sudan;
• Priority activities and areas of relative stability that are conducive for implementation of early recovery initiatives in North Darfur were agreed upon at a stakeholders workshop in El Fasher; and
• Mobilized $1 million from the Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zeyd Al Nahyan Foundation for the construction and rehabilitation of water sources in Darfur.