Resource Mobilization

Improving food security in Sudan

The project aimed to address food insecurity in four target states in Sudan (Blue Nile, Gedaref, Kassala and Red Sea). This involved strengthening capacities to prioritize and formulate food security policies and strategies, and including lower-level governance structures and major non-state actors in prioritizing and decision-making processes. 

What did the project do

The establishment of vertical linkages among various government structures, food security and nutrition (FSN) institutional arrangements and stakeholders enhanced data and information flow. Training courses organized for state-level line ministries in planning, monitoring and budgeting greatly improved their skills in these areas. An evidence-based FSN strategy was developed for each of the four states through a consultative process, strengthening the respective governments’ capacities to address FSN challenges. The project initiated the implementation of important policy actions by the states’ governments, as well as by the Government at national level; in particular, the establishment of the Higher Council for Food Security and Nutrition, and the finalization of the National Food Security and Nutrition Policy Framework. A number of research activities carried out on FSN-related topics contributed to creating a knowledge base on challenges, and to underlining the causes of food insecurity in the four states.

Impact

The capacities of the four target states to deal with food security policies and strategies, and decision-making processes were greatly enhanced, enabling them to make more inclusive, and better integrated, informed and monitored food security decisions. This has contributed to achieving long-term improved food security in these states.

Activities

  • Food Security Committees and Food Security Technical Secretariats (FSTS) established/strengthened in the four target states.
  • Food Security and Nutrition Technical Working Groups created, which are the major vehicles of FSTS for information sharing and joint analysis, and for building consensus on recommendations for addressing food-security-related challenges in the states.
  • 67 policy papers produced by state government staff concerning macropolicy issues; natural resources development and conservation; low productivity and production; physical and social infrastructure issues; and health and nutrition issues.
  • Training activities organized for line ministries staff on principles of FSN policy, policy review and analysis, and their implications in addressing FSN problems.
  • Food security reports, policy briefs and bulletins produced by the four FSTS, to be used by line ministries, United Nations agencies and Non-governmental Organizations for formulating policies and design programmes.
  • Joint training programmes delivered to state FSTS teams and line ministries staff, to improve understanding of market information in the context of food security monitoring and analysis.
  • Training courses organized for line ministries staff to strengthen livestock and fisheries monitoring.
  • Capacity-building activities targeting non-state actors implemented on various topics, such as FSN concepts and principles; FSN policy advocacy; food security and conflict mitigation.
Project symbol: GCP/SUD/038/EC
Project title: Food Security Policy and Strategy Capacity Building Programme
Contact: FAO Office in Sudan
Email: [email protected]
Download PDF: http://www.fao.org/3/a-bs927e.pdf