Last 14 and 15 December 2022 the conference “Bridging Gaps in Community Mental Healthcare: Towards a Shared Path for Mental Wellbeing in Sudan, Cameroon, Chad and Central African Republic”, organized by Agenzia Italiana per la Cooperazione allo Sviluppo and the Mental Health Department of Trieste #ASU GI, took place in a symbolic place such as the Teatrino Franca e Franco Basaglia, Parco Culturale di San Giovanni in Trieste.

The Conference gathered international practitioners from Sudan, Cameroon, Chad, and CAR who shared their contributions, from which it emerged that they all work towards the same goal: creating a functional, resilient, and highly reactive mental healthcare system. Great attention was paid to cross-cultural mental health conceptualizations and how to include them in local and international interventions and programmes. Michele Morana, head of AICS Cooperazione Khartoum con competenza per Eritrea-Camerun-RCA e Chad, stated “almost 50% of our budget is dedicated to interventions on the health sector, with a special attention to mental health”.
Ample space has been devoted to the stigmatization and social exclusion people with mental health conditions face, often preventing them from accessing treatment. The discussion continued on the relationship between modern and traditional medicine and the role traditional healers can play in early identification and intervention.
Representatives from the DSM Trieste have illustrated in detail the structure of the mental health department of Trieste, whose main characteristic is to put people first and whose services are firmly rooted in the community. “A delay in accessing appropriate care is one of the biggest challenges in the mental health sector“ has underlined Alessandra Oretti, Deputy Director of DAI DSM. The personalized rehabilitation and therapeutic project, a result of this person-centered approach, is a powerful tool to empower people with mental health problems, transmitting hope and optimism for the future.

The last day Dr. Alessandra Oretti concluded stating that “we had the opportunity to discuss different aspects, situations, and topics concerning mental health. These exchanges have confirmed the relevance of promoting an integrated multi-level approach, networking the different resources of individuals, families, and communities, but at the same time focusing on universal principles. This is the challenge today to address mental health issues in any part of the world, and even more so in countries facing such challenges with limited resources.”
"This conference represents an important starting point” reported Michele Morana, AICS Khartoum Director. “Interesting insights arose from the experiences of our international guests who presented the context of their own countries, difficulties, and potentials, showing their strong commitment and dedication. We listened to the stories of those struggling to de-stigmatise stereotypes and prejudices towards mental health, and of the emblematic experience of Trieste. I hope that this initial collaboration will pave the way for a joint work in collaboration with diverse actors from different backgrounds and countries for the launch of new initiatives in the field of mental health promoting the concept of Leave No One Behind” concluded the AICS Khartoum Director Michele Morana.

The conference has been the occasion to present the research "Assessment on access to primary mental health care in Kassala" aimed at analyzing the access to mental health services of the population in Kassala State.

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More than three years after the Sudanese revolution that led to the dismissal of President Omar al-Bashir on 11 April 2019, the concrete opportunities for democratic transition and economic recovery, widely supported by the international community, appear negligible today; for relevance and progress. The coup d'état of 25 October 2021 and the persistence of a very serious humanitarian crisis, largely forgotten, exacerbate the profound structural problems, of an economic nature and linked to internal conflicts affecting different regions of the country. Over the past twelve months, Sudan has observed the progressive flare-up of the protracted humanitarian crisis that has affected the country for over three decades and suffered the impact of the generalized destabilization of the sub-region of the Horn of Africa. The mixture of political instability and natural disasters that affects much of East Africa is particularly evident in Sudan: the arrival of over 60,000 Ethiopian refugees fleeing the Tigray conflict, the resurgence of inter-ethnic conflict in Darfur and the floods of exceptional gravity in the last 3 years, have forced over half a million people to abandon their places of habitual residence. With more than 1 million refugees and 3 million internally displaced people, Sudan is currently the fourth country in the world in terms of forced displacement . The dramatic overlap of the protracted humanitarian crisis and the current economic situation in which the combined effect of very high inflation (359% in 2021, the second highest inflation rate in the world), economic stagnation and financial measures to reduce the budget deficit, has further aggravated the living conditions of the population. The overall humanitarian situation represented by OCHA appears to be seriously deteriorating: 14.3 million people are in need of humanitarian aid (up 55% compared to 2019) and 9.8 million in food assistance (more than double compared to 2017).
In this scenario, the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation has a portfolio of ongoing programs of over 100 million euros, divided into different sectors and supported by the widespread presence in the country, through five field offices and a coordination office in the capital Khartoum. With a view to expanding the audience of NGOs with which AICS collaborates in Sudan, and in consideration of the limited number of Italian NGOs registered in the country, the Khartoum Office, through this conference, intends to promote the registration of CSOs in Sudan, illustrating the operational scenario, the registration methods and the necessary requirements to be possessed to operate in the country in line with the provisions of the national regulatory framework

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The operating block at the Teaching Hospital in Port Sudan has been inaugurated.
The new block has three rooms, a delivery room with 3 beds and a labor room with 8 beds. The intervention has been implemented by OSC AISPO, present in Sudan since 2017, and funded by the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation. The hospital hosts about 30 daily deliveries.
The day ended at the Dem Mayo health center built as part of the EU funded project aimed at supporting refugees, migrants and host communities. AISPO took care of the rehabilitation and equipment of the center and provided training to the staff on the prevention of breast and cervical cancer
The center has catching area of around 5,000 people.
Pictures: before and after

The EU funded project HealthPro targeting North and South Darfur for a total amount of 15 Meuro has been launched today at the presence of the Federal Minister of Health Dr. Osama Abd Elrahim, the European Ambassador Robert Van Den Dool the Italian Ambassador Gianluigi Vassallo and North and South Darfur Ministries of Health respectively Mujtaba El Tigani and Rehab.

The project in line with the EU humanitarian-development-peace Nexus Action approach in Sudan – fostering the transition from humanitarian aid to a sustainable health system - promotes durable solutions for displacement-affected communities and access to quality health services in target localities in North and South Darfur. The initiative strengths the different building blocks of the decentralised health system, sustaining democratic inclusion and community participation for a sustainable development.

The AICS Head of Office – Vincenzo Racalbuto – recalled that Sudan health services accessibility at community and facility level is still limited and less than 40% of the health facilities provide minimum health care package, maternal mortality rate is still unacceptable high and undernutrition can dramatically undermine the future productive generation of youth. It is, thus, against this challenging backdrop that EU-Italy and Sudan commit themselves. We believe that a sustainable and inclusive growth requires investment in the main component of human development, argued Vincenzo Racalbuto.

The initiative is a real contribution to stability during the present transitional process in Darfur. We are strongly committed to support our Italian and Goal partners to provide equitable accessible care to IDPs in their new residential areas and to host communities, echoed jointly the Ministries of North and South Darfur.

Tornai alla mia gente dopo una lunga assenza, sette anni per la precisione, durante i quali ero stato in Europa ad apprendere. Avevo appreso molto, e molto mi era sfuggito, ma quella è un’altra storia, l’importante è che tornai con dentro un’immensa nostalgia per i miei cari in quel piccolo villaggio sull’ansa del Nilo. 

E on line la pubblicazione “Life at the curve of the Nile”, rappresentazione teatrale promossa dall’AICS Khartoum, con la collaborazione dell' Ambasciata Italiana a Khartoum, del National Sudanese Theatre, del College of Drama della locale Univ. UMST e della PAC - Italian Theatre Association.

La rappresentazione teatrale si rifa' al romanzo di Tayeb Salih “La stagione della migrazione a nord” di Tayeb Salih, tra i più tradotti al mondo e a lungo vietato in Sudan.

Si racconta il ritorno a casa di un giovane dopo anni di permanenza in Europa e la sua difficoltà a reintegrarsi.

Per tutta la durata del viaggio assaporai la sensazione di non essere in nessun posto, di essere solo, davanti e dietro di me l’eternità o il nulla. [La stagione della migrazione a Nord, citazione pagina 48]

A humanitarian flight – organized on the initiative of the Vice minister Emanuela Del Re - coming from the United Nations Humanitarian Emergency Response Center in Brindisi landed last night in Khartoum Airport with a cargo of 10 tons of emergency Non Food Items (NFI), notably consisting of blankets, family tents, kitchen sets, mosquito nets, jerry cam, squatting plate and latrines.

This humanitarian assistance initiative comes from the Italian Government to support the Sudanese Government who has declared for the next three months the State of Emergency, stated the Italian Ambassador Gianluigi Vassallo. Sudan over the past weeks has been affected by flooding and displacement leading the Government to declare a three-month State of Emergency in the country. 650,000 people have been affected by floods in 17 out of Sudan’s 18 states, and more than 111,000 houses were either destroyed or damaged, according to UN OCHA updates.

The living conditions of the population are terrible: drinking water sources have been contaminated and toilets damaged. The stagnant water is increasing the risk and spread of diseases such as watery diarrhea, malaria and typhoid fever.  The floods damaged 1,700 hectares of agricultural land and killed 5,500 heads of livestock aggravating the food insecurity in Sudan with part of the population facing a protracted crisis, underlines the Ambassador

The Director of the Peace and Humanitarian Assistance Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs -  Ambassador Hamad Hassan -  emphasizes the excellent and long-lasting relationship between Italy and Sudan and echoed thanks to the Italian Cooperation for the Humanitarian flight whose items will be distributed to the more needed people in the coming days.

The items will be taken in charge by a Sudan's Higher Committee-  composed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Social Development, HAC (Humanitarian Aid Coordinator) and other institutions – who will coordinate the operation of distribution to the most affected people.

The Undersecretary of the Ministry Labor and Social Development, H.E Mohamed Elshabik, the newly appointed Commissioner General of Jabel Awlia Locality Ehad Asheem Ismail, the Italian Ambassador, H.E Gianluigi Vassallo and the head of the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation in Khartoum, Vincenzo Racalbuto, paid a visit to Mayo today, where Italy is implementing  several project aimed at easing the difficulties of the local population.

“In those difficult days, where Sudanese people have been affected by heavy rainfall and floods causing the death of 110 people and affected more than 650,000 people across the country since July, it is imperative for us to show our support to those who are suffering because of this calamity and a more severe food insecurity” stated the Italian Ambassador.

The Italian cooperation is active in all the four areas in Mayo through different interventions with an overall amount of 4.850 million euros. In Mayo Angola, Maymouna School - hosting more than 350 students - has been completely rehabilitated with the support of Hope Sudan, a local NGO named; four channels and three crossing bridges have been realized and rehabilitated with the participation of Jabel Awlia Locality and the participation of the local community. The interventions are following the assessment made by the Italian Civil protection –CIMA research Foundation – last march aimed at assessing ponding-prone areas in Mayo and defining possible surface water disposal solutions.

“The Italian Cooperation is deeply engaged in Mayo area and we will continue to support the most vulnerable people. In this framework we are working through DRR (Disaster Risk Disaster) approach: 1.800 jute soil sacks and 225 plastic cover have been distributed to the local population in the areas of Yarmouk, Gabboush, Angola and Mandella, channels will be completed within next week, and we are about to start the construction of a new school in Mayo Mandella using local material and a bottom up approach,” underlined Racalbuto, Director of AICS Khartoum

Alongside the visit to the channel and Maymouna School, the delegation visited the pediatric clinic run by the Italian Ngo Emergency and funded among other donors by Italy. The clinic offers fully free of charge pediatric care for children up to age 14, an antenatal/postnatal care and screening programme for malnutrition and basic hygiene rules. In Yarmouk area, within the Italian funded emergency programme, the Italian Ngo AISPO has installed rainwater tank to collect and store rain water runoff, typically rooftops via pipes.

The Undersecretary of Labor and Social development echoed thanks to Italy and the local communities for their commitment for Mayo, and highlighted that it is our joint duty to ensure and promote sustainable wellbeing for the most vulnerable population.

A day above Mayo: watch the video !

During a visit to Khartoum, the Italian Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hon. Emanuela Claudia Del Re, reinforced Italy’s support for education, peace and stability, and livelihoods in Sudan.

The Deputy Minister Foreign Affairs Minister inaugurated a new block of the Mayo Girls Basic School in Al Yarmouk’s Block 7 in Mayo, Khartoum State, and signed a new UNDP-Italy agreement – seeing a further €1.3M committed for peace and social stability projects in Khartoum State and South Darfur. The focus for this work will include job and community infrastructure creation, and peacebuilding.

Building on previous Italian support for the school, the newly inaugurated block includes eight new classrooms and rooms, three latrines, and drinking water stations - integrating into the school’s existing three rooms - for 1,800 students.

Speaking at the inauguration, alongside Sudanese and UNDP officials, Deputy Minister Del Re said Italy is committed to supporting education, as education is the best investment we can make to give a better chance to our children, and promote resilience to future radicalization and violent conflicts.

In her speech, the Deputy Minister recalled Paolo Dieci – who the school is named after – as an invaluable colleague who dedicated his life to international cooperation, lately as President of Link 2007, the Italian network of NGOs.

Alongside the school block inauguration, the Deputy Minister met with Mayo youth and women who have taken part in vocational training for leatherwork and commodity product creation, intended to develop livelihoods and new opportunities.

Deputy Minister Del Re was joined at the event by H.E. Lt. Gen. Ahmed Abdwn, Governor of Khartoum, and Let. Gen. Hussam Aldeen Mohammed, Jabel Awlia Commissioner.  The ceremony was attended also by the Ambassador of Italy – H.E Gianluigi Vassallo, UNDP Resident Representative Selva Ramachandran, and the head of the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation in Khartoum, Vincenzo Racalbuto.

The new school block, and vocational training, were funded by Italy in partnership with UNDP and the Sudan Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration Commission. These and the new agreement are just a small part of Italy’s support for UNDP's work, specifically its Community Security and Stabilization Programme (C2SP) – which supports communities and people most at risk of becoming involved in conflict.

During the ceremony, UNDP’s Selva Ramachandran thanked Italy for their support. He also highlighted the success of C2SP, particularly its expansion to 55 more communities across Sudan, supporting greater results in community-level inclusive development, youth employment, displaced population support, and women’s empowerment.

The Governor of Khartoum echoed thanks to Italy and UNDP for their commitment to Mayo, and highlighted that it is our joint duty to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.

In the occasion of the International Day of Zero Tolerance for #FemaleGenitalMutilation on 6th February, many were the celebrations organised to say no to #FGM in #Sudan and all over the world. #FGM comprises all procedures that involve altering or injuring the female genitalia for non-medical reasons and it is recognized internationally as a violation of the #human #rights of girls and women. It reflects deep-rooted #inequality between the sexes, and constitutes an extreme form of discrimination against women and girls.

In Sudan about 86% of women have undergone #FGM. It is important since primary school to raise awareness among families, the community and girls about the serious consequences of mutilations, including a higher risk of maternal mortality during childbirth, bleeding during the practice and forms of #disabilities.

In the framework of the project “Fostering Inclusive Economic Growth in Kassala State Through Agro-value Chains Development and Access to Financial Services” financed by the Italian Government and implemented by UNIDO, on January 18th at Kassala University the Entrepreneurial HUB has been inaugurated in the presence of H.E the Governor of Kassala, Gen. Mahmoud Hamid, the Vice Chancellor of the University of Kassala, Prof. Youssef Elamin, the Director General, Minister of Production and Economic Resources – Kassala State, Dr. Ali Mohammad Ali, the Ambassador of Italy Gianluigi Vassallo and the Director of AICS Khartoum Office, Vincenzo Racalbuto.
“Through the entrepreneurial HUB, UNIDO project is offering a set of non-financial services, whose main output will be a duly-prepared business plan; moreover, the University of Kassala will also provide constant technical assistance and follow-up, with the goal of strengthening the business and promoting its growth”, stated the Italian Ambassador.
Our goal – through the HUB – is to laying the foundations of a mechanism which has the long-term goal of becoming the center of any initiative aimed at supporting entrepreneurship in the State of Kassala, with no difference if it is promoted by public, private actors or technical cooperation projects, concluded Ambassador Vassallo.
Following the inauguration, the delegation has participated to a visit to the Department of Horticulture, Minister of Production and Economic Resources where almost 15 representatives of producers’ associations - among which 5 women associations - exposed their own products. “1,488 small-holder farmers cultivating sesame and horticultural products and fodder were financed by financial institutions under the support of UNIDO for the purchase of agricultural technical packages; UNIDO support has contributed to the employment of about 400 seasonal workers, increasing job opportunities in the targeted areas (wadi El Hilew, New Alfa and Kassala)” stated the UNIDO representative.
Ali Mohammad Ali, Director General, Minister of Production and Economic Resources – Kassala State thanked Italy for its continuous support in the Sustainable Development Sector and assure his commitment to achieve SDG 8 aimed at boosting economic growth by acknowledging high level of productivity and through technological innovation.

On November 30h, the launching of the 2nd edition of the Italian-Sudanese MBA in Global Impact Entrepreneurship took place at the University of Medical Sciences (UMST) in Khartoum with the aim of sustaining aspiring entrepreneurs to start up or scale-up businesses that combine economic profitability with high social and environmental impact.

Following the success of the first edition, the 2020 MBA Edition will benefit from the support of the E4Impact Foundation of the Catholic University in Milan, ALTIS (School of Business and Societies), the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS), the Italian Embassy in Khartoum and is funded by companies such as VueTel and CTC Group.

“The 1-year MBA – implemented between Khartoum and Milan – is based on two main cornerstones”, added the Italian Ambassador Gianluigi Vassallo. “On the one hand it boosts a generation of new entrepreneurs through the development of trainings, incubators and coaching activities, on the other it supports Sudanese entrepreneurs to be key actors of their future and to support their own country through new ideas and the promotion of social inclusion of the most vulnerable. What is not inclusive is not sustainable”, concluded the Ambassador.

The representative of AICS Khartoum Vincenzo Racalbuto recalled that, as for the past edition, the Italian Agency for Development cooperation – though TADMEEN initiative – will guarantee the full coverage of eight scholarship (for 6 women and 2 disables). Our goal is to be aligned with the slogan “Leave non one behind” and with the SDG #4 and #8 aimed at boosting education, inclusive socio-economic actions and access to financial services for all.

The Director of the programme dr. Fabio Petroni recalled the importance of promoting a portfolio of entrepreneurship programs in 11 African Countries with the aims of training entrepreneurs in order to support start-up and businesses growth.

Finally, the director of UMST Hassan M. Ahmed expressed his deep gratitude to Italian Institutions and E4Impact Foundation for supporting and investing into the courage of young Sudanese entrepreneurs, actors of the new Sudan.

The World Health Organization (WHO), Sudan Federal Ministry Of Health, and Italy launched the project of defining and implementing effective nutrition counselling and practices at primary health care level to reduce stunting and wasting in Sudan.

The project will be implemented by WHO in partnership with the FMOH through the generous contribution of €1,5 million euros granted to nutrition in Sudan by the Government of Italy.

“Italy is committed to strengthening the health care system and to fighting malnutrition in Sudan. Our Country is currently implementing - through AICS – a number of projects in the Health Sector equivalent to 62% of the total budget allocated to Sudan”, stated the Italian Ambassador. “As Donor Convener for the UN SUN Movement since 2017, we must explore new ways to embed nutrition in all relevant sectors ranging from health, to water and sanitation, education and social protection systems”. He added as well that improving health awareness and knowledge is just one, albeit crucial, step to start fighting malnutrition.

‘The road to nutrition isn’t straightforward, and there are many interconnected factors aside from food supply that must be addressed — including linking livelihood opportunities, engaging community members and education in a wider understanding of nutrition interventions”, concluded the Ambassador.

“The Federal Ministry of Health thank Italy and WHO for their continuous engagement in ensuring that children in Sudan, without exception, have access to nutritious, safe, affordable and sustainable foods,” said Dr.  Akram Ali Altoum, Federal Minister of Health in Sudan. “We again stress that the fight against malnutrition is one of the main missions of the Government of Sudan,” Dr.  Altoum concluded.

“WHO would like to acknowledge with appreciation the excellent and long-standing relationship with the Italian Government and in particular the efforts in the most vulnerable areas of Gedaref, Red Sea State, Khartoum and Kassala states,” said Dr Naeema Al Gasser, WHO Representative in Sudan and Head of Mission. “Sudan can overcome the nutrition gap by boosting agricultural production, community empowerment with particular attention to vulnerable groups, and by developing comprehensive national food composition tables with more focus on the traditional food to improve appropriate nutritional counselling messages,” Dr.  Al Gasseer explained.

Picture in the front made by Laura Salvinelli

On October 20^th 2019, at Teaching Obstetric Hospital in Port Sudan, the Nutrition Unit funded by the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS) was inaugurated in the presence of the Director General of the Ministry of Health, Dr. Alfatih Rabee, of the Governor of the Red Sea State, H.E. Hafiz Altaj, of the Italian Chargée d'Affaires Valeria Romare and of the AICS Representative Vincenzo Racalbuto, together with representatives of the Hospital. The Italian intervention provided equipment for 15 beds, one kitchen, 3 nutrition clinics, outpatient offices and an external area with veranda for cooking classes for nutrition and health promotion.

At the same time, the inauguration of rehabilitated Central Lab and of Pediatric Hospital (implemented by the Italian Ngo AISPO and University of Sassari, in partnership with the Ministry of Health and funded by AICS) took place. The commitment also included training workshops for nurses and pediatricians, the rehabilitation of 4 general wards, 2 neonatal and respiratory wards and connected facilities such as bathrooms, rest rooms and ambulatories.

“Italy is deeply committed in Sudan through a number of initiatives strengthening the health system: at the moment Italy is implementing - through AICS – a number of projects in the Health Sector equivalent to 62% of its total budget allocated to Sudan” stated the Italian Chargée d’ Affaires, underlying that Italy is deeply committed in the fight against malnutrition and to improve the health system in Sudan. Those interventions are in line with the Italian role as donor convener for the UN Programme SUN - Scaling Up Nutrition - aimed at prioritizing nutrition as central to national development and imperative to improve maternal and child nutrition.  All the efforts will be in line with the Strategy and the Roadmap (2016-2020) in order to achieve SDG #2 “Zero Hunger by 2030” he concluded.

The representative of AICS Khartoum stressed the importance of Sudanese ownership so as to guarantee the sustainability and success of all interventions. The Italian cooperation – he added – is committed in Kassala – Gedaref and Khartoum through a number of initiatives tackling hospital services improvement; primary health care development; and clinical quality.

The Governor thanked the Italian Government for the commitment in enhancing global health security in order to strengthen the response to the population’s needs.

The day has been the occasion to visit as well other AICS funded projects such as TADMEEN project. In particular, AICS has supported almost 60 women with the women prison through the sudanese Women Awareness Raising Group; the women counselling center Dar El Naim providing support and information session on GBV, maternal and infant health and family planning; the women association Al Raidat where 65 women have started micro-entrepreneurship activities through the use of dryers.

On September 18th in at Rashid Diab Arts Center in Khartoum, the Embassy of Italy in Sudan, the Italian Minister of Cultural Heritage and Activities and the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation, together with PAV, the Sudanese National Theatre and the College of Music and Drama della Sudan University of Science and Technology di Khartoum present the Community Development Theatre Life at the curve of the Nile inspired by a novel of Tayeb Saleh Season of migration to the North.
The goal is – though the Community Theatre - to promote awareness on Italian Cooperation’s priority sectors in Sudan among which
- migration/forced displacement,
- social inclusion
- gender equality and women’s empowerment.
The theater must be used to disseminates messages, sensitize communities about their objective and acting to better their condition. Community theater for sustainable development occurs through the process of using drama and comics to promote developmental values in a given community.
From the ancient times, theater have assumed a considerably potential role as a means employed to stimulate thoughts and to initiate community engagement on issues as diverse as health, education, awareness, ending violence against women and migration while transforming them into actual communicable forms that will help a community re-image its way of life.
The script – adjusted from the original version to nowadays - deals with:
- migration
- gender
Concerning the migration issue, the show is tackling the ‘DOUBLE ABSENCE’ of migrants – their absence within their host society and from their place of origin. This suggests that migration must be constantly legitimated by all concerned, often by economic needs, health or by humanitarian motivations.
Concerning the gender issue, the show is based on three main pillars:
a) the perceptions of European women in foreign societies
b) the FGM
c) the forced marriage
In theater there is a special license: the unsayable can be said, the hidden can be reveled people can cover and discover aspects otherwise overlooked and unknown.

Brochure

An humanitarian flight coming from the United Nations Humanitarian Emergency Response Center in Brindisi landed today in Khartoum Airport with a cargo of 10 tons of emergency surgical supplies, notably consisting of trauma kits; medical kits; medicines and hospital equipment.

This humanitarian assistance initiative comes from the Italian Government to a request made by the World Health Organization who is on the front line to provide urgent assistance to all the hospitals in Sudan, supporting national, following the violence occurred during last clashes in the country.

The humanitarian supply will contribute timely to the serious needs registered in the Sudanese hospitals, said Ambassador Fabrizio Lobasso. In most Sudanese hospitals, the conditions are critical, the health structures continue to suffer great pressure and all the medical staff face a severe shortage in medical supplies and an increase of wounded patients, underlines the Ambassador.

The WHO Representative in Sudan - Naeema Al Gasser - emphasizes the excellent and long-lasting relationship between the UN Agency and the Italian Cooperation. Thanks to this humanitarian flight we will be able to ensure our support in emergency unit at key hospitals in Khartoum and in States across Sudan closely working with Ministry of Health addressing immediate critical gaps, she added.

The medical health supplies will allow Sudanese hospitals to cope - at least in the short term – with surgical and traumatological needs, concluded Lobasso.

Watch Sudan News 25

The main focus of the European Development Days 2019 - is Addressing inequalities: Building a world which leaves no one behind in line with the Sustainable Development Goal # 10 aimed at reducing inequalities within nations and the disparities according to the Agenda 2030.

The slogan Leaving No One Behind is one of AICS priority in Sudan.
The action of AICS is aimed at:

1. supporting the institutions in increasing the accessibility of public services;

2. developing  inclusive public policies through capacity building interventions and technical assistance;

3. supporting NGOs and civil society associations, combating the phenomenon of social marginalization and facilitating the process of participation in the life of the community.

AICS presented TADMEEN: TADMEN is about Social Inclusion, Human Capital Development, Protection of Vulnerable Groups within Migrants, Refugees and Host Communities in Sudan. The initiative aims to promote gender equality, social inclusion and protection of children and persons with disabilities to have equal access to goods and services by increasing resilience through activities of poverty reduction, shared prosperity and human rights in line with SDGs #4#5#8#10 for an equitable education, participation, and economic growth. Italy in Sudan implements projects aimed at strengthening resilience of the most vulnerable.

AICS Khartoum projects have been described through the use of a new video technology  which allows every single person to experience a 360° stereoscopic, full body, in motion, immersive experiences for virtual reality.

Wearing the headset, the protagonist can relate with other characters and objects that are an essential part of the story making the content engaging and full of interactions. Movements, gestures, and actions allow us to create effective links between various scenes in the storyline.

This journey around Sudan will last in your memory. This virtual experience will introduce the traveler to a colorful, vibrant, strong and intriguing Sudan.

Coming back from Sudan.... experiences

On February 13th, H.E. Mashair Ahmed Alamin, Minister of Education, H.E. Ahmed Mohamed Osman Hamid, State Minister of Security and Social Development, Mr. Bdradeen Ahmed Hassan Mohamed, Secretary General, National Council for Persons with Disabilities and the Director of the Italian Cooperation Office in Khartoum, Vincenzo Racalbuto, open the workshop on inclusive education, organised in framework of Tadmeen Project funded by the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation.

Inclusive Education means accessible environment in the schools; adoption of a no-rejection clause within legislation and inclusive pre-school programs and early intervention support in order to guarantee equitable opportunities to people with disabilities, stated the Minister of Education H.E Mashair Ahmed Alamin concluding that “education is the most powerful investment in our future”.

The Italian Agency for Development Cooperation recognizes that more work is needed to ensure inclusive education. Inclusion is embedded in all aspects of school life, and is supported by culture, policies and every day practices. All children deserve the opportunity to be in school and learn so they acquire the skills and knowledge to thrive regardless of their diverse educational needs, declared AICS Representative in Khartoum, Vincenzo Racalbuto. Italy has a portfolio of 9.7 M Euro in Social Inclusion initiatives aimed at “leaving no one behind”.

The Secretary General of the Council of Persons with Disabilities, from his part, recalled the relevance of the “nothing about us without us” approach, highlighting the importance of partnership and consultation of persons with disabilities in inclusion-related matters in Sudan, especially in education issues, because education is the most powerful investment in our future, concluded Mr. Bdradeen Ahmed.

On February 11th, at the premises of the Federal Ministry of Health in Khartoum, the Minister of Health H. E Awathaf, the Ambassador of Italy, H. E Fabrizio Lobasso, the Representative of WHO, Dr Naeema Al Gasseer, the Representative of the Italian Agency for Development cooperation Office in Khartoum Vincenzo Racalbuto officially rehabilited five key entry points in al Galabt (border with Ethiopia), El Genina (Border with Chad) Argin, Ashkate, Halfa (border with Egypt) and delivered medical equipment in health centers in gedaref, Red Sea and Kassala and Western Darfur State States.

The intervention is part of the programmed funded by the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation and implemented by WHO aimed at strengthening the Public Health Security of people in Sudan, complying to International Health Regulation 2005 (IHR-2005).

The International Health Regulation is, since 2005, an international commitment for all WHO member States: its main objective is to protect the world population from any communicable disease. Its main pillars are surveillance and control. Sudan is a signatory Country of the IHR/2005 and the IHR is now part of Sudan national health policy and health strategies, stated the representative of WHO Office in Khartoum.

The program is the concrete sign of the Italian Government commitment in the health sector in which Italy is involved with approximately 40 initiatives for a total amount of 42 M Euro (2017-2019), added the AICS Representative Vincenzo Racalbuto recalling that last November six countries – among which Sudan - in WHO’s Eastern Mediterranean and African Regions have signed the Khartoum Declaration on Sudan and Bordering Countries committing themselves to strengthening preparedness and response to public health threats and events across borders in an effort to further the implementation of the International Health Regulations (IHR 2005) and enhance global health security. Italy is proud to support WHO in their effort in Sudan to support the alignment of the country to international Standard.

As you know – declared the Italian Ambassador Fabrizio Lobasso - Italy and EU are strongly engaged in Sudan to ensure the universal accessibility to quality health care for migrants and host communities. Social security and universal accessibility to primary social services is part of the Italian DNA and historical tradition. Moreover, in the present junction, when migration and migrants protection and right to access to global health care is at the top of the international debate, the IHR becomes a cornerstone for world population health security, concluded the Italian Ambassador.

Italy and UNWOMEN has signed today the technical agreement for the two-year project aimed at enhancing women’s entrepreneurial capacity in Fisheries and Agribusiness in Red Sea State, in particular in traditional area of intervention such as Port Sudan, Suakin and Mohammed Gool, funded by the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation and implemented by the UN Agency.

The initiative wants to contribute to women’s economic empowerment and to support livelihoods through three main tools of intervention: introduction of new technologies to increase the productivity of women in fisheries and agribusiness; access to financial and non-financial services and promotion of women’s cooperatives and associations. The project will improve the competences of the women involved in terms of small business management and techniques of processing and commercialization of agri-business products, especially fish, a precious resource in the State of Red Sea. Moreover, the objective is to produce food with high nutritional content, especially baby food.

To boost the development of key agricultural value chains and market access are our main goal to support Sudan in its efforts to revive its agriculture, affirmed the Italian Ambassador, H.E Fabrizio Lobasso. Italy is committed in supporting women’s empowerment and gender equality and the UNWOMEN initiative is in line with our strategy. Women are the are key to agriculture and food security in Sudan. This project will close the gaps between men and women in their value chain, thereby creating new opportunities for the agribusiness and fisheries sector as a whole, concluded the Ambassador.

Women carry out a major portion of agricultural activities and bear almost the entire burden of household work, including water and fuelwood collection and food processing and preparation. Empowering women to play their active role in the production and enjoy the benefit is the most sustainable way to positively transform poverty and leave no one behind, said Adjaratou Fatou Ndiaye, UNWOMEN Country Representative in Sudan. Agriculture and fisheries can be an important engine of growth and poverty reduction and women are a crucial resource facing constraints that reduce their productivity.

Through this project Italy and UNWOMEN will boost gender-smart solutions in agribusiness in order to increase the sector’s productivity and profitability and lead to stronger, more integrated value chains.

On November 29th at the premises of the Sudan National Museum – the most comprehensive Nubian archaeological collection in the world giving a good narrative of Sudanese history – the ceremony for the signature of the Technical Agreement of the project “Protecting and Promoting the Sudanese Cultural Heritage in a Social Development Perspective: Rehabilitating the Sudan National Museum” funded by Italy and implemented by UNESCO took place.

The ceremony - in the presence of the State Minster of Cultural Heritage H.E Sumeia Okud, the Ambassador of Italy H.E Fabrizio Lobasso, the UNESCO representative in charge Mr. Aiman Badri and prof. Fantusati, from ISMEO – has been the occasion to present the astonishing objects preserved in the Museum from the Paleolithic through the Islamic period originating from every site of importance in the Sudan and to present the project aimed at rehabilitating and promoting the Museum as a symbol of the Sudanese Cultural Heritage.

The Ambassador recalled that Italian contribution to the protection of the cultural heritage is developed along two main guidelines: support for archaeological missions and an engagement, within a multilateral context, to achieve increasingly close co-operation in the Cultural Heritage sector. The technical agreement we are signing today is the evidence of the Italian commitment for the promotion of the Sudanese Cultural Heritage through a real NET between Italy – Sudan and UNESCO, concluded the Ambassador adding that cultural heritage is a key to unlock our enhanced understanding of life through the history, to promote inter-cultural communication, recognition, tolerance and peace.

The State Minister H.E Sumeia Okud warmly thank Italy, UNESCO and Prof. Fantusati who dedicated his life in excavation in Sudan supporting the reveal of the Nubian culture. The replica of the new stand of King Natakamani from Abu Erteilaq, donated by Italy reflects one of the treasures of Sudan highlighting the Nubian civilization that existed between the 1st century BC and 1st century AD.

Finally, Mr. Aiman Badri, representative in charge of UNESCO, stressed that the project will contribute to the education of youth, to the development of a common national identity enhancing the “social capital” which will positively affect the National Dialogue and the peace building process, to the tourist attraction of Sudan.

Within of TADMEEN Programme aimed at supporting the social inclusion, human capital development and protection of vulnerable groups within the migrant, refugee and host communities, AICS Khartoum has rehabilitated the Al Yarmouk School in Mayo with the remaking of the floors, the installation of doors and windows, the installation of a tank for the supply of drinking water, and the distribution of school desks. The school of Al Yarmouk is attended by about 1.800 students distributed in 20 classes (about 100/120 students per class).

Next to the school, the construction of 8 news classrooms, 3 latrines and water points for drinking - by UNDP and SDD Commision in the framework of the C2SP programme funded by Italy - is almost completed. The new school will host a Women Community Center where community members will be able to access a public space to exchange their knowledge and to organize different kind of civic education programmes such as income generation projects and literacy courses that will support the revitalization of the community.
The school of Al Yarmouk is of primary importance as it will be carried out in a neighborhood with a high rate of school non-attendance and dropout, and isolation during the rainy season.

In the framework of the initiative AID 1821 "Support to the development of human resources in the health sector of the State of Red Sea" financed by AICS and carried out by AISPO and the University of Sassari, the month of September was dedicated to training courses realised at the Maternal Hospital in Port Sudan on hospitals waste management. There were 7 training courses for doctors, nurses, midwives, laboratory workers, security personnel and cleaner for a total of approximatly 80 people.

Objective of the trainings was to increase the awarness on the correct hospitals waste management, in order to minimize the contact of uninfected materials with potential infectious sources and reduce the production of infectious waste, encourage the separation of medical waste and urban waste.

To this end, new waste bins - specially colored so as to be easily identifiable - were purchased. In October a second training will be organized by the Ministry of Health - Red Sea - on the hospital protocol for the management of hospital waste and transport to the area incinerator

On September 29th, the launching of the 1st Italian-Sudanese MBA in Global Impact Entrepreneurship in Khartoum took place at the University of Medical Sciences (UMST) with the aim of training young African entrepreneurs in business management and administration with particular attention to social development and solidarity.

The initiative foreseen, in the particular, partnership with the E4Impact Foundation of the Catholic University in Milan, ALTIS (School of Business and Societies), the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation and is co - financed by Italian companies such as VueTel, Ascot, Leonardo-Selex, and Sudanese companies as Capital Radio 91.6.
Key speaker of the event has been the Deputy Minister of Industry and Commerce H.E Abdelrahman Youssif who expressed his deep gratitude to Italian Institutions for this unique initiative never realised before in Sudan.

The MBA is a 1-year business – implemented between Khartoum and Milan - aims at supporting active and aspiring entrepreneurs to start up or scale-up businesses that combine economic profitability with social and environmental impact. The master wants to boost a new entrepreneur’s generation through the development of trainings, incubators and coaching activities.

The representative of AICS Khartoum Vincenzo Racalbuto – recalled that six young Sudanese women will benefit of 6 scholarships awarded within the TADMEEN project aimed at promoting the rights and the socio-economic inclusion of women, persons with disabilities and the most vulnerable groups in line with the Sustainable Development Goals # 8 and with the strategy of the Italian Cooperation in Sudan aimed at boosting inclusive socio-economic strengthening and improving access to financial services.

At the Saudi Hospital in Kassala, the five-day training course on the use of the 10 community midwives (CMW) of Hamashkoreeb and River Atbara was carried out as part of the IHSVP Delegated Cooperation program.
The training was very successful because for the first time the women of the Hamashkoreeb community were allowed to leave the village.
Once a month, the Italian cooperation team in collaboration with the CMW Head of State and the Doctor who performed the training, will go to the hospitals of Hamashkoreeb and River Atbara (Arab 6) to follow up the activities and assist the midwives. Two ultrasound scans were donated.

With Resolution 72 the Joint Committee approved the contribution in favour of UNESCO for the realization of the program of protection and enhancement of the cultural heritage of Sudan with a view to support social development. The program is aimed at the rehabilitation of the National Museum of Sudan, which, with its rich collection, testifies to the presence of civilizations rich in culture that have inhabited and characterized the history of the country from the Palaeolithic era to the X century after Christ.

The objective of the initiative is to enhance the only museum structure present and active in the national context. The re-development of the museum will ensure the start of innovation processes in the cultural sector of the entire country as well as economic development linked to the improvement of the capacities of relevant institutions in the field of planning and management of cultural events, heritage and in the tourism industry of the country.

With a turnover of 100,000 tourists per year, the Khartoum museum - built in 1955 and opened in 1971 - houses the largest and most complete Nubian archaeological collection in the world, including artefacts from the Paleolithic period to the Islamic period from important archaeological sites in Sudan.

Some of the interventions that Italy will finance in favor of UNESCO are to re-design, according to good practices of contemporary museography, an innovative exhibition layout that facilitates the museum visit; carrying out ordinary maintenance works of the building envelope and services; the restoration of the frescoes of the 9^th and 13^th centuries from the Nubian churches and saved during the UNESCO Savage Champaign mission in 1977; and finally the digital cataloging of 100,000 artifacts stored for more than 40 years to avoid illicit trafficking in museum material are just
The project also provides specific training courses for the Museum staff, so that it is able to support the promotion plan and cultural activities at the Museum itself.

It has germinated - and it is flourishing! As part of the multilateral program financed by AICS "Development of agricultural supply chains and access to credit for inclusive economic growth in the State of Kassala" (AID 11259), UNIDO offers 350 small-scale farmers, dependent exclusively on rainwater, a "technical package" (high yield seeds, modern fertilizers and mechanized services) for the production of about 700 feddan (300 hectares) of sesame.

Farmers, almost all of whom had never had access to credit, were able to purchase the "technical package" thanks to a loan of around € 85 per feddan, offered by a local microfinance institution, Kassala Microfinance Institution, and partially guaranteed by UNIDO, through an associations of local producers.

Furthermore, farmers will be offered constant and timely technical assistance, from sowing to harvest, scheduled for November: UNIDO has formed the agronomist team of the Ministry of Agriculture which, in turn, are implementing the so-called "farmers" 'field school' (30 sessions in total) and monitor the growth of sesame every day.

With the intense rains of the last days, which follow the already abundant ones at the end of last July, the already catastrophic situation that is affecting the Sudanese populations of the State of Kassala, West Kordofan, El Gezira and Sennar has severely worsened.

The latest evaluation of the absolute priority needs, updated to August 13^th by the IFRC, estimated over 45,000 people directly affected and about 9,200 houses damaged or completely destroyed by the torrential rains and subsequent flooding. The damage caused by floods to roads, bridges, and to essential health services as well as to the waste water drainage network, with a high risk for foreseeable health consequences, is very high.

The serious situation in Mayo (one of the poorest areas on the outskirts of Khartoum with a population of about 300,000 displaced) continues, where heavy rains have caused 36 victims, the destruction of 21,500 homes and 68 schools, the majority of housing of mud have literally "melted" leaving the inhabitants without any shelter. AICS Khartoum had already intervened last August 1^st with the distribution of food items such as sugar, flour, lentils, oil, and powdered milk and continued with the distribution of NFIs such as blankets and tents in favor of the affected communities

IFRC - Emergency Plan of Action - Floads 2018

On 29 July 2018 at the Federal Ministry of Health of Khartoum, the Technical Agreement was signed on the collection of nutrition data according to the S3M (Simple Spatial Survey Method) meditative. The Italian contribution – 100,000 Euros - is part of a wider contribution made available by EU, DFID, UNICEF and WFP.

The survey, which will be completed by December 2018, will be a valuable tool for both the Sudanese government as well as International partners, as it will gather up-to-date data on the nutritional status and other Sudanese health variables that will enable policy makers and international donors to develop better policies and strategies based on Sudan's priorities and needs.
Following the great results obtained during the first S3M survey, the second survey will collect and disseminate disaggregated data on multiple indicators related to key determinants of malnutrition in children, pregnant and lactating women.
The survey will be carried out at national level.
With 2.2 million undernourished children under the age of 5, strong mobilization is urgently needed to contribute to the reduction of malnutrition in Sudan: this survey will provide assured equity in programming and in the allocation of resources.

The meeting was an opportunity to remember the role of Italy as Donor Convener of the SUN movement in Sudan and its role in ensuring the implementation of efficient and sustainable actions in line with the Strategy and the Roadmap (2016- 2020) in order to reach SDG 2 "Zero Hunger by 2030".

AICS Khartoum participated in the Congress, organized by the Ministry of Health, for the approval of the National Plan for Global Health Security, based on the indications and recommendations of an external evaluation team from WHO - EMRO.
The "National Action Plans for Health Security" is the prelude to the implementation of the definition and implementation of the "International Health Regulation" and "Health Risks and Hazard" Protocols.

The approval of the first National Plan that incorporates the principles of global health security, able to respond promptly to the risks of public health, regardless of it nature and origin, has great relevance for Sudan, a crossroad of migration flows coming from all over the Horn of Africa.
The congress was chaired by the undersecretary of the Ministry of Health, Dr. Isameldin Abdalla, and saw the participation of WHO delegates and the WHO Sudan Mission Leader Dr. Naheema Al Gasser, representatives from all departments of the Ministry of Health and Institutions and Authorities in charge of ensuring safety standards in area such as environmental risks, epidemics, management of chemical and radioactive substances, monitoring and border control for people and goods.

The Under Secretary and Dr. Naheema have repeatedly emphasized the appreciation of the AICS contribution as a member of the Committee for the definition of the National Program of International Health Regulation through funding of 1 Million Euros to the WHO (AID 11110). Equally appreciated was the continuous collaboration assured in the management of health emergencies (especially during the recent cholera epidemic) and the national "Health Surveillance for Infection Control" program realized with the AID 11002 Emergency Programme, which involved 7 States in order to guarantee a timely transmission of data from sentinel structures to higher structures.
The recognized commitment of the Italian Cooperation to these health issues - in line with SDG 3, is part of the AICS Office in Khartoum strategy to ensure the Right to global health in contexts where there is great fragility and therefore the greatest risks of serious epidemics.

Foto credits Laura Salvinelli

As part of the collaboration between AICS and the Sudan Ministry of Health, the signing ceremony for the start of the two-year Master in Family Medicine - in the context of the AID 11188 DICTORNA initiative - which will involve 300 new graduates in medicine from the States of Kassala, Gedaref, Red Sea and Khartoum.

The master will contribute to the strengthening of the Family Medicine system with the aim of integrating this professional figure in health centers.
The activity is part of the effort that AICS is carrying out in Sudan to strengthen the PHC in line with the National Strategy and SDG 3.

The ceremony for the delivery of 25 diplomas took place community of Jabel Awlia, in Mayo. The diplomas were distributed to the 17 men and 8 women who took part in the "Peace Building and Conflict Resolution" course organized by the NGO HOPE in the framework of the C2SP project funded by AICS and implemented by UNDP.
The course has trained women and young people on issues such as peaceful coexistence and conflict resolution through the do-no-harm approach that identifies and mitigates the risks of exacerbating conflict and recognizes opportunities to contribute to positive change.

The training course is part of a more ambitious program that involves the entire Mayo area - characterized by a high population density as well as Internally Displaced Persons and refugees - aimed at strengthening the function of the Popular Committee and conducting comprehensive training for the capacity building in project management and monitoring, financial management, vocational training and literacy.
The C2SP program aims to pursue activities aimed at developing peace and social cohesion in the States of Khartoum and Blue Nile, in line with SDG 4 and 8, which promote fair and inclusive education, and lasting inclusive and sustainable growth for all.

On June 29^th, 2018 at the Complexe Pediatrrique of Bangui (CPB) there was a ceremony for transfer of activities between the NGO Emergency and CUAMM, which from July 1^st will perform the technical work in the Hospital of one of the poorest countries in the world, where the war of recent years has caused thousands of deaths and about 1,2 million refugees and IDPs. Part of the Emergency team will continue to operate in the pediatric clinic now dedicated to the treatment of chronic diseases (active since 2009) and in support of the National Center of Transfusion (CNTS).
The ceremony saw the participation of S.E. the Minister of Health and the Population Mr. Pierre Somse, the Deputy Director of the Field Operations Department of Emergency Emanuele Nannini, the Director of the European Cooperation Paolo Curradi and the Director of AICS Khartoum Vincenzo Racalbuto. It was noted that the success of the operation is the result of a partnership that has seen the contribution ofthe Italian Cooperation, the European Commission, the United Nations, ACF (Action contre la Faim) and private funds of Emergency, managing to ensure the complete gratuity of the care in these years.
Italy has always been at the forefront in supporting the health sector in CAR and continues to do so thanks to interventions aimed at strengthening the national health system, to improve access to health, train qualified personnel, provide specialized and quality care. The Director of European Cooperation affirmed that from 2014 to date, the funds allocated to the health sector in CAR have reached the quota of 90 million Euros and were disbursed through the FED (European Development Fund), the Trust Fund Bekou and ECHO (European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operation).

The launch ceremony of the three-year project TADMEEN - financed by the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation - was held on May 7th in Khartoum. TADMEEN: Social inclusion, human capital development and protection of vulnerable groups within migrant communities, of refugees and hosts - aims to promote the Rights and socio-economic inclusion of disabled persons, women and the most marginalized groups, in line with the SDG 4, 5, 8 and 10 that encourage quality education, equitable and inclusive, gender equality, decent work for all and reduction of inequality.
Italy, in collaboration with Sudanese Institutions and Civil Society Organizations, has always worked to promote inclusion and respect for the most marginalized groups, playing a propulsive role because disability must be considered as a natural condition to be approached with the purpose of increasing respect for ourselves.

The Italian Cooperation promotes - as described in the recent Guidelines on Disability and Social Inclusion and on Guidelines for Gender Equality and Women's Empowerment - the mainstreaming of the concept of disability and gender equality and empowerment in International Cooperation. In Sudan, AICS has 6,7 million Euros in initiatives aimed at strengthening equality, inclusion of vulnerable groups, gender equality and women's empowerment by strengthening the capacities and skills of the Sudanese public administrations.

The opening ceremony of the semi-intensive and nutrition therapy Units that were rehabilitated through an intervention by the NGO AISPO and the University of Sassari, took place on May 6^th at the University of Obstetrics Hospital in Port Sudan. The rehabilitation, which strengthened the operational capacities of the largest Red Sea State Hospital, were carried out as part of the project "Support to Teaching Obstetric Hospital in Port Sudan to tackle the malnutrition of pregnant women, young mothers of children under the age of five and their children".
The initiative - lasting 9 months for the value of 350 thousand Euros - offered a training course on nutrition issues, the KAP method (Knowledge Attitude and Practice), and equipment for semi-intensive therapy involving 65 local health workers between gynaecologists, nurses and midwives. The intervention also saw the rehabilitation of two spaces for the hospitalization of patients with nutritional problems, which allowed an increase in number of beds, and the improvement of two rooms for semi-intensive therapy with filter area, nursing control station, porches and drains that will guarantee the reduction of the risk of infections. The availability of preventive and therapeutic drugs and treatment aids such as iron and folic acid, vitamins A and D, K, iodine, have also been strengthened. As a whole, the program has reached over 12,000 beneficiaries among pregnant women, new mothers and their children under 5.
Italy is at the forefront in the fight to tackle malnutrition in pregnant women, young mothers and children under 5 and to improve the Sudanese health system so that the majority of the population can be guaranteed access quality health services. It was also recalled that the Nutrition Operative Unit is in line with the role of Donor Convenor of Italy in the Scaling Up Nutrition - SUN movement, a global movement born in 2010 to boost the fight against malnutrition aimed at contributing to the implementation of Objective 2 of the Agenda 2030, namely "Ending hunger, achieving food security, improving food and promoting sustainable agriculture".

The signing of the Technical Agreement for the construction of water infrastructures in the Blue Nile State between the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation, represented by its Head of Office Vincenzo Racalbuto, took place today at the Headquarters of the Sudanese Ministry of International Cooperation, with the Minister of Public Services Abdedlmoneim Alnezir and the Commissioner General of the Disarmament and Rehabilitation of former combatants (DDR), General Salah Alyaib.The ceremony was also held in the presence of the Italian Ambassador Fabrizio Lobasso, the Wali of the State of Blue Hussain Yasseen and the Minister of International Cooperation, Idriss Suleman.
The signing of the Agreement - as part of the humanitarian aid initiative funded by AICS - is the first step for the construction of wells and water networks in favour of the communities of Eddamazin and El Roseries, in the State of Blue Nile, which do not currently have access to drinking water.
The aim of this intervention is to ensure the availability and sustainable management of water and sanitary conditions for all, in line with the SGD 6. The initiative concerns a region on its way to complete peace and in which it is possible to increase Italian efforts. Helping the people of Blue Nile will contribute to establishing an environment that is prone to progress and harmony. Water projects will facilitate peace, particularly in high-density pastoral areas. Sudan urgently needs to bridge Sudan's severe water deficit by investments of at least a billion dollars.

The launch ceremony of the European programme “Bridging the Gap: inclusive policies and services to guarantee the equality of the rights of people with disabilities", took place in Khartoum.
The initiative - funded by the EU and co-funded by the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS) and coordinated by FIIAPP (Spanish Cooperation) - promotes the rights and inclusion of people with disabilities in five medium-and-low-income countries including Burkina Faso, Ecuador, Ethiopia, Paraguay and Sudan.
In Sudan, AICS Khartoum is responsible for the implementation of the activities and focuses on universal access to work in line with the provisions of Art. 27 of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
The initiative aims to strengthen the skills and competences of public administrations and support organizations of people with disabilities, and to promote the mainstreaming of the concept of disability in International Cooperation consistently promoted by the slogan "nothing about us without us".
Upcoming events: a training for the promotion of self-employment of women with disabilities or mothers of children with disabilities in the State of Gedaref, and a study for the development of a database on the offer and job request that includes people with disabilities in the country.

Guidilenes on disability 2018