UN provides tractors to refugees in eastern Sudan
June 18, 2009 (KASSALA) — The UN Refugee Agency provided two Massey Ferguson tractors with accessories, ploughs and planters, to the NGO partner that is implementing livelihood projects in refugee camps in eastern Sudan.
There are around 100,000 refugees in eastern Sudan. 62,410 are registered in 12 UNHCR-assisted camps in Kassala, Sennar, El Jezeera and Gedaref States. In addition, close to 40,000 Eritrean and Ethiopian refugees reside in various rural and urban locations, including former refugee camps.
The Agency for Cooperation and Research in Development (ACORD), an international aid group, will deploy one of the tractors between Abuda and Um Gagour camps. The second one will be deployed to Fau V and the Suki camps.
The intention is to expand the area of land that the refugee population cultivates and hence increase crop production. The support aims to enable to produce their own fare and should not be dependent on food aid.
This year UNHCR is targeting 850 households in crop production with an average of 5 feddans (a unit of area) per household. The new tractors are expected to help reduce production costs and substantially increase the productivity and output of arable land.
Some progress has been made in strengthening the livelihoods sector in eastern Sudan. Ongoing activities include crop and livestock production, revolving funds and income generating activities.
(ST)