Supporting disabled people affected by the crisis in Sudan.
The conflict in Sudan is affecting our ADD Sudan team, the organisations we work with, and the disabled people they represent. Many people are displaced and in need of basics like food, shelter and medication. Disabled people are facing additional challenges and may require health and mobility support, which is now even harder to access.
ADD is working with our network of organisations run by disabled people in Sudan, who have formed committees to respond. We ran an appeal to raise money for Sudan, and those committees decided how it should be spent.
In this emergency situation, the various groups decided to work together and share out all the money between their members. They didn’t want to waste time working on ideas that might not get funded through a competitive process.
Each group asked their contacts what they needed most, and found the aid being provided by larger agencies covered food and shelter but not vital things disabled people need like assistive devices and cash for hospital bills.
The network of organisations set about getting the money to disabled people in Sudan, through different channels like cash delivery and mobile money. They were innovative in how they reached people who had been displaced. They made sure everyone was included.
Disabled people in Sudan told us that they were able to get emergency medical care, food, and transport to safer areas. One woman who received money explained why this was important:
The money support me to have safe delivery as I have to admitted to hospital for the surgery I was very sad because I haven’t money to pay the fees of hospital but when I received the money I paid the fees and delivered my child safety.
A woman with a disability from Gedarif.
When disabled people themselves decide how money is spent, it has more of an impact. Read more about this work here.
The situation now.
The situation in Sudan is still very difficult. The ADD team have told us of new challenges. Conflict is making the areas they relocated to unsafe, as well as food shortages, and electricity and water cuts. We want to share more money with the network of organisations of persons with disabilities, who we know will get the help to those who need it. Higazi, ADD International, Sudan Team, tells us:
“We are working with a network of organisations of persons with disabilities (OPDs) across the regions and we trust them.
“They are using the grant very well. OPDs have joined up to form networks to work together and give out cash to disabled people in their networks. This includes OPDs for women with disabilities, physical disabilities and intellectual disabilities.
Sudan is also facing flooding in an area that is usually desert. Houses have collapsed. Disabled people are being displaced and have to travel far to find safety. More funding is needed to support disabled people in Sudan.
Higazi
In solidarity with disability rights movement.
ADD has been working in Sudan for 33 years, as a trusted partner and ally of Sudan’s disability rights organisations. We work with a large network of groups supporting people with various types of disabilities, especially specific disability led groups and organisations run by women.
As a person with a disability, I am affected by the war many times more than others. Even if I am safe, I am in a place that is not prepared for my special needs.
Elkhansa, young leader in Sudan.
These networks are vital in providing support through organisations of persons with disabilities. We are now preparing for the next round of grants to provide further support. The situation continues to be very serious in Sudan, and help is needed.
ADD are continuing to provide urgent assistance to disabled people in Sudan through participatory grants. A donation from you could support this.
Funds raised through this appeal will be used for emergency assistance to the ADD Sudan team, our partner disability organisations in Sudan, and disabled people in Sudan, as well as for the rebuild and recovery from this crisis. Any additional funds we raise above the amount needed for our Sudan emergency response will be used to make grants to other disability rights activists and organisations in Africa and Asia.