Oxfam’s work in northern Sudan

On 4 March 2009, the Government of Sudan revoked Oxfam GB's license to operate in northern Sudan. All of our assets were handed over to the government, our staff made redundant, and our programmes and offices in Khartoum, Red Sea State and Darfur all closed down.

Given the enormous humanitarian needs that remain across northern Sudan, we hope we will be able to return and resume work as soon as possible. We appealed against the government's decision, and we continue to try and reach an agreement with the Government of Sudan.

We remain deeply concerned about the long-term impact of the expulsion on the poorest and most vulnerable people in northern Sudan. At the time of the expulsion, Oxfam GB was providing 600,000 people with clean water, sanitation and other vital services.

Slideshow: Oxfam's work in northern Sudan

We have operated in northern Sudan since 1983 and at the time of expulsion had 450 staff, 90% of whom were Sudanese. Some examples of our work in northern Sudan are illustrated below.

Darfur

Floods in Kalma camp: Oxfam distributed wheelbarrows, shovels and empty sacks to help build new flood defences. [Photo: Oxfam]

Darfur was Oxfam’s biggest single emergency programme in the world, providing vital humanitarian aid for more than 400,000 people affected by the ongoing conflict. Most of our work was in the vast camps – where over two million people have sought shelter from violence – but we also worked to help people in rural communities. Here’s how we responded when severe floods hit Kalma camp in August 2008.

In pictures: flooding in Kalma Camp

The crisis in Darfur remains extremely serious. Following the expulsion of Oxfam GB and other organisations, the remaining international and Sudanese agencies, along with the United Nations, have made concerted efforts to sustain the supply of life-saving aid. A major humanitarian catastrophe has been averted but there remain long-term concerns about the impact of the expulsions. People are not getting as much aid as before, and education, livelihoods and protection projects – the type of work needed if Darfurians are ever to recover and rebuild their lives – have been particularly badly affected.

Red Sea State

Villagers draw water from a well installed by Oxfam. [Photo: Alun Macdonald]

Red Sea State, in the east of Sudan, is one of the most impoverished areas of the country. People have little access to basic services such as healthcare and education. It is an extremely hot and dusty region for most of the year, but also suffers from frequent severe flooding – it is a very harsh environment in which to live.

Oxfam has worked there for 25 years, providing water, small grants and supporting projects to improve people's livelihoods, education and access to services.

In pictures: Oxfam’s work in Red Sea State on Flickr

Khartoum

Single mother Fatima Hamid set up a small shop selling credit for mobile phones. [Photo: Alun Macdonald]

In recent years, Khartoum has experienced massive growth, but many in the sprawling suburbs still live in grinding poverty. There are few opportunities to earn an income, no regular supply of electricity or water, and limited access to basic services.

Oxfam was working with local partners and women's groups providing small loans that give people the opportunity to lift themselves out of poverty.

In pictures: Oxfam’s work in Khartoum on Flickr