‘Best Practices in Addressing Food Security from Gedaref State, Sudan.’

In the midst of scarcity, vulnerable groups like persons with disabilities face exacerbated challenges in accessing essential services. Acknowledging this reality, the We are Able (WaA!) project in Sudan has been working to foster resilience among Organizations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs) and Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in responding to food security shocks. Through collaborative efforts, some best practices have become evident that not only address immediate needs but also support long-term sustainability and inclusivity. These were captured in a commissioned report by Dr. Jamal Hashim Khalil in January 2024, the main conclusions of which are shared here.

The basis of WaA!’s success thus far lies in its commitment to fortifying the capacity of OPDs and CSOs. Through tailored training programs encompassing organizational management, advocacy, and financial skills, participants from different civil society actors have been able to strengthen their organizational and collaborative capacities. This, among other things, has resulted in the formation of financing portfolios with several local banks to help finance future food security and livelihood (FSL) associations. Moreover, a new ODP, the Union of Persons with Mental Disabilities, was established at the Gedaref state level.

The dedicated work of ZOA and Al Tawaki Development Organization has led to a significant increase in inclusive Food Security and Livelihood (FSL) associations in the six localities, 110 and counting. By equipping participants with the tools to launch income-generating activities, WaA! has created new opportunities for entrepreneurship, with several new FSL associations now accessing crucial financing previously unavailable to them. Building on the success so far, the WaA! consortium recommends adopting a value-chain approach in the future, which builds on the commitment to sustainable growth and market integration.

In order to overcome barriers for inclusive food security for people with a hearing impairment, the African Disability Forum (ADF) together with the Sudanese National Union of Deaf (SNUD) provided sing language training to sign language translators, activists, and educators. By establishing a more robust support network for persons with a hearing impairment, the WaA! consortium has opened doors to improved access to information and services for the hearing impaired, fostering a more inclusive society.

One thing is for WaA! partners to work on a stronger societal position for persons with disabilities in their community, the other is to amplify the voices of the people we serve and supporting their own efforts towards inclusive change. Through stakeholder consultations and awareness sessions, WaA! has cultivated a deeper understanding of disability rights and inspired new collaborative efforts between service providers and OPDs. By fostering dialogue and dispelling misconceptions, WaA! has paved the way for meaningful reforms and inclusive practices, including increased representation of persons with disabilities in public offices.

The culmination of grassroot empowerment, strengthened local networks and raised awareness on the rights of people with disabilities is found in the participatory design of Local Inclusion Agendas (LIA). Through the facilitation by VNG International and The Hague Academy (THA) of inclusive dialogue and joint planning, WaA! has allowed for communities to defend their rights, and integrate their priorities in local government planning, fostering a sense of ownership and accountability among stakeholders.
The result is a list of commitments from local and state officials to address disability rights and priorities. Through joint monitoring committees, the Local Inclusion Agendas are monitored and evaluated at regular intervals, ensuring accountability and feedback loops. The collaborative approach to the implementation and evaluation of shared initiatives ensures localized implementation and constant evaluation of inclusion activities.