Disabled people's organisations were not idle during the civil war they set up group, mostly impairment specific, so the pieces are in place for the development of a national cross-disability federation linking all these groups together to become the voice of Sudan's disabled people. ADD's priority is to assist disabled people in making this happen and ensuring that disabled people are not be left out of the development opportunities that now exist for having a better life.
Despite the formation of the Sudan Government of Unity in January 2005 the upheaval has continued in the Darfur region and ADD Sudan had to suspend its direct work with DPOs in Nyala until the security situation has become more stable.
Arrangements to ensure funding and indirect contact have been put in place to so that disabled people's organisations that ADD has been working with for the past 12 years were not left without support.
In Sudan ADD works with 25 partners with support increasingly focussed on organisational capacity building. ADD’s capacity building work over the last few years through a mix of training, supported applications and advocacy is reflected in disabled people's organisations increased capacity to fundraise and to maintain multi-donor budgets.
ADD's role as a facilitator
Another way that ADD works is to strengthen links between disabled people's organisations in all areas of the country they are working in.
For instance in Sudan, the National Union of Blind approached ADD to assist the White Nile Union of the Blind in the organisation of an event for prominent residents in Khartoum state to raise funds for new premises.
Although ADD Sudan does not support groups in the White Nile state they decided that by providing non-financial, technical support, they are helping to strengthen the disability movement as a whole. So they responded by providing power point and photocopying facilities, use of a vehicle and someone with IT experience.
The event was really well organised with comprehensive plans and maps, and estimated costs for the premises, furniture, computers. Consequently it was a success, attended by many VIP visitors, representatives from the federal and state government, members of the National Union of blind, famous singers and poets. Many people, on the day, confirmed their contribution, both in kind and financial. The White Nile state representative committed to provide the group with computers and other equipment.