In a bold move to address Sudan’s deepening humanitarian crisis, the African Development Bank Group (AfDB) has approved a $62.13 million emergency grant aimed at restoring essential social services in regions devastated by civil conflict.
The grant will support the newly launched Sudan Integrated Social Sector Infrastructure Rehabilitation Project (SISSIRP), a two-year initiative (2025–2027) focused on rebuilding health, education, and water infrastructure across four affected states: Aj Jazira, River Nile, Sennar, and White Nile.
Approved on July 11, 2025, the funding package includes:
- $44.57 million from the Transition Support Facility (TSF), Pillar 1
- $17.56 million from the African Development Fund (ADF), the AfDB’s concessional arm for low-income countries
Sudan is currently grappling with one of the world’s most severe emergencies. Since the eruption of armed conflict in 2023, over 30.6 million people are in urgent need of humanitarian aid. Among them are 11.5 million internally displaced persons (IDPs), more than half of whom are women.
The violence has ravaged infrastructure, with schools, hospitals, and water systems either damaged or destroyed. This collapse has exacerbated poverty, disrupted access to education and healthcare, and widened social inequalities.
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The SISSIRP aims to rehabilitate critical infrastructure and build long-term resilience through three strategic pillars:
- Strengthening Social Infrastructure and Systems
- Rehabilitation of schools, hospitals, and WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) facilities
- Restoration of safe drinking water, basic health, and education services
- Capacity Development and Community Engagement
- Empowering communities and institutions to sustainably manage and maintain restored services
- Governance and Implementation Support
- Promoting transparency, accountability, and effective delivery through monitoring and oversight frameworks
“This project is a crucial step towards rebuilding lives and livelihoods,” said Mary Monyau, AfDB Country Manager for Sudan. “By restoring access to clean water, healthcare, and public infrastructure, we are not only addressing immediate needs but also building a resilient foundation for the country’s future.”
The initiative aligns with AfDB’s Extended Country Brief for Sudan, its Ten-Year Strategy (2024–2033), and the “High 5” development priority: Improve the Quality of Life for the People of Africa. It also addresses essential service delivery, youth inclusion in education, and equitable access to opportunities.
