According to the UN, the armed conflicts between the Sudanese government, opposition forces and ethnic groups have caused the forced displacement of 3.1 million people inside the country, including 2.6 million in Darfur and more than 550,000 in South and West Kordofan and Blue Nile. In the early months of 2016, the number of internally displaced persons rose further owing to new emergencies, especially in Darfur.
The population of Sudan is dependent on humanitarian aid. This is partly due to the war, but also to repeated natural disasters such as droughts and floods, which have created food insecurity and malnutrition.
By contributing to pooled funds, Switzerland helps to ensure that emergency relief projects quickly receive the necessary financing. At the same time, longer-term reconstruction is required, as livelihoods and resources have been destroyed. Since 2011 the SDC has been contributing to a reconstruction programme in Darfur (Darfur Livelihoods and Recovery Programme) implemented by the United Nations Development Programme UNDP.
One component of this programme is geared towards the integration of smallholder farmers in different value chains. People are given support in restoring their livelihoods in traditional market products such as honey, hibiscus, peanuts, hides and skins.