The U.K. Department for International Development expects to require more infrastructure and conflict expertise in Sudan “in the immediate term,” according to its recently released operational plan for the African country.
The operational plan covers the years 2011 to 2015. It aims to help provide better livelihoods and greater security, promote accountability and fight corruption in Sudan by focusing interventions on water, sanitation, health, education and access to justice. It also outlines a transition of the U.K.’s aid to Sudan from humanitarian assistance to more durable and sustainable livelihoods.
It says: “Focus on improving the design of programmes and portfolio quality over the next four years, indicates the need for more in-country technical capacity, some of which can be achieved through shared resources with other partners. However, in the immediate term, in order to deliver on the OP, we will require additional expertise in Infrastructure and Conflict. Depending on how our potential programmes on Basic Services evolve, additional expertise in Health or Education may be required. Stronger corporate systems and a greater focus on developing skills and careers will also be essential. The need for sufficient staff in DFID Sudan is strongly supported by results of the office’s People Survey.”
The plan likewise indicates that the U.K. will continue to channel its aid through non-governmental organizations, private sector firms and multilateral agencies rather than the Sudanese government, even as it says it will prioritize work with Sudan’s government institutions in building their capacity and systems.
The U.K. came up with its operational plan for Sudan following a comprehensive review of its bilateral and multilateral aid. The review findings identified the North African nation, where half of the population are poor, among 27 countries with the greatest need and where U.K. support will make the biggest difference, DFID says.
The operational plan for Sudan comes several months after the U.K. released its action plans for most of its aid recipients and two weeks after South Sudan declared its independence (July 9).
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