Cleaning the streets of Sudan

30 November 2009

A wide-ranging new UK environmental programme to tackle the devastating effects of climate change in Sudan got over 75,000 volunteers onto the streets for a clean-up the southern city of Juba.

The clean-up tackled the growing health hazard caused by public dumping of waste in the town, which is leading to an increase in disease and pollution.

It is part of a three-year programme with the United Nations Environment Programme to improve management of natural resources in Sudan, in particular water and forestry.

Conflict in Sudan is closely linked to environmental damage, with tensions breaking out over rights to water, timber and other natural resources, and conflict reducing people’s ability to manage them well. This agreement will build mutually beneficial relationships between farmers and animal herders.

It will also safeguard groundwater in areas where reserves are critically low and improve the management of timber, halting the loss of trees which have been felled for cash to support the conflict.

Part of the £20 million will be used to support Sudan in its efforts to adapt to climate change.

DFID Minister Gareth Thomas visited Juba last month, where he saw for himself the situation on the ground.

He said: "The UK is playing a leading role in addressing climate change internationally, but we are also doing what we can to support national and local initiatives here in Sudan.

"Juba has seen welcome economic growth since the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) was signed in 2005, but this has had a severe impact on the environment.

"I have had the opportunity to see evidence of this, which only strengthens my conviction that the environment matters to us all.

"While tackling rubbish will make Juba more pleasant and healthier, good management of water and forestry resources across Sudan will reduce the risk of conflict and bring economic development. So it makes sense to lay the foundations for a peaceful future now."

The UK-funded programme will be carried out by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) and the UN Office for Project Services (UNOPS), working closely with the Governments of National Unity and Southern Sudan over the next three years.