Sharpening the Strategic Focus of

Livelihoods Programming in the Darfur

Region
A report of four livelihoods workshops in the Darfur
region (June 30 to July 11, 2007)

Date of report: 12th September, 2007

Authors and co-facilitation team:

Helen Young, Feinstein International Center, Tufts University ([email protected])
Abdalmonium el Khider Osman, Feinstein International Center, Tufts University
([email protected])
Margie Buchanan Smith (independent) ([email protected])
Brendan Bromwich (independent) ([email protected])
Karen Moore, UNOCHA/RCO, El Fasher, North Darfur, ([email protected])
Stacey Ballou, UNOCHA/RCO, Nyala, South Darfur ([email protected])
 Contents

Summary ..............................................................................................4
1. Background.......................................................................................6
2. Purpose and outputs.........................................................................7
3. Workshop process ............................................................................8
4. Understanding and analysing livelihoods........................................12
5. Review of current livelihoods programming ....................................16
6. Future strategic directions for livelihoods programming..................19
7. Conclusions and Next Steps ...........................................................24

Annexes
1. Workshop agenda (includes working group activities)
2. Local resource teams in each workshop
3. Livelihood Groups in North Darfur – El Fasher Workshop
4. Livelihood Groups in West Darfur (excluding Zalingei corridor) – Geneina
Workshop
5. Livelihood Groups in South Darfur – Nyala Workshop
6. Livelihood Groups in Zalingei Corridor, West Darfur (Zalingei Workshop held in
Nyala)

Boxes
1. Understanding livelihoods in conflict settings by building a shared analysis using the
livelihoods conceptual framework
2. How conflict destroys livelihoods, and how adaptation of livelihoods in turns fuels
conflict: an example from those recently displaced in South Darfur due to tribal conflict
3. Key points emerging from the workshop analyses on pastoralist livelihoods

2
Acronyms

ACF Action Contre le Faim

CBO Community Based Organization
CEAP Community Environmental Action Plan
CEMP Community Environmental Management Plan
CRS Catholic Relief Services
DAI Development Alternatives International
DFID Department for International Development (British Government)
DRC Danish Refugee Council
EPI Expanded Programme of Immunization
IDPs Internally Displaced Persons
KSCS Kebkabiya Smallholders Charitable Society
NCA Norwegian Church Aid
NGO Non Government Organization
PIPs Processes, Institutions and Policies (part of the Livelihoods Conceptual
Framework)
RCO Resident Coordinators Office
SRM Sustainable Resource Management
UNAMID the hybrid UN and AU Mission in Darfur
UNOCHA United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs
USAID/OTI U.S. Agency for International Development/ Office for Transitional Initiatives

3
Summary

It is well known in the Darfur region that peoples’ livelihoods have been devastated as a
result of the conflict, both as a result of the direct asset-stripping of conflict affected
households, but also as a result of the continuous erosion of the livelihood asset base of all
groups in Darfur – even those who have not been directly affected by conflict.

Growing recognition among the national and international humanitarian community of the
importance of supporting livelihoods in the current context has been offset by the ever
present and increasing operational challenges they are facing. Early in 2007 the need for a
strategic review of livelihoods programming was articulated by local actors to
UNOCHA/RCO. In response to this OCHA/RCO organized a series of four State level
workshops, which brought together more than 180 local and international actors, from
government, UN agencies, international and local NGOs, members of universities and civil
society.

The objectives were to collaboratively develop a shared and common understanding of the
impact of conflict on livelihoods, and based on this to develop a more strategic approach for
support of livelihoods through humanitarian assistance, as well as a series of more specific
recommendations on livelihoods programming. This process was facilitated by a small team
from Tufts University, who has been engaged in livelihoods analysis in Darfur since 2004,
supported by two independent consultants with considerable Darfur experience. The Tufts
team designed a participatory process to develop a comprehensive livelihoods analysis, and
using this undertake a programming review and make strategic recommendations.

The success of this novel approach was the result of consistent group work that focused on
locally specific livelihood groups and used the livelihoods conceptual framework adapted for
conflict settings throughout the two days; and also the commitment to a carefully designed
participatory process where local experts served as resource people within each working
group.

The results of the participatory analysis were remarkably consistent across the four
workshops and confirmed some of the findings of former studies, but it also contributed
significant detail and analysis on more recent developments within the different areas. The
livelihoods conceptual framework helped to distinguish how conflict has impacted on all
components of the framework: goals, strategies, processes, institutions and policies (PIPs)
and assets, and helped to identify protection risks and mechanisms through which
livelihoods fuel conflict. Important common themes that emerged included:
• Conflict and insecurity are continuing to destroy livelihoods, and the adaptations that
particular livelihood groups make, in turn fuel the conflict.
• The continued disruption of markets and trade, particularly impacting those who are still
able to engage in some of their pre-conflict livelihood strategies, namely pastoralists and
resident farmers.
• The breakdown and failures in local governance, particularly in relation to competition
over natural resources and local conflict resolution.

4
• Acceleration of environmental degradation, particularly in areas of high population
concentrations as a result of displacement, but also as a result of the breakdown in natural
resource governance and the impact of conflict in constraining livelihoods.
• The inequitable distribution of humanitarian livelihoods programming, with some groups,
particularly pastoralists widely neglected.

A review of current livelihoods programming found that there are examples of good practice
where interventions are responding to critical livelihood needs, and are serving to promote
interactions, even dialogue, between different livelihood groups. But it was noted that even
the most successful initiatives will only contribute a part of people’s overall subsistence
needs, thus leaving a gap that must be met by other humanitarian means such as food aid.
And livelihoods programming is still quite limited.

The review also showed the importance of understanding the totality of people’s livelihoods
in order to identify appropriate interventions or actions. Although much of the current
livelihoods programming focuses on supporting or replacing assets, more attention should
be paid to context specific processes, institutions and policies (PIPs). In reviewing the
breadth of humanitarian livelihoods programmes, five issues of more overarching or
strategic relevance became apparent, including:
1) The need for comprehensive livelihoods analysis to inform integrated humanitarian
programming that encompasses interventions of saving lives and livelihoods as well as
interventions to address the wider mediating factors (PIPs) (and wider processes including
peace-building).
2) More strategic coordination and collaboration on livelihoods assessments, analysis and
programming
3) The importance of promoting Sustainable Resource Management (SRM)
4) Renewed efforts to promote partnerships and strengthening local capacities (to
implement more integrated programming and promote dialogue)
5) A strategic focus to include marginalized livelihood groups, particularly pastoralists

These workshops clearly demonstrated that this type of collaboration and participatory
analysis represents a powerful way forward to develop new and stronger partnerships,
building the capacities of all participants, and generating a wealth of lessons learned, new
ideas and commitments for addressing the livelihoods crisis in Darfur and building
foundations for peace.

In order to build on this understanding and commitment and take many of these ideas
forward, broad dissemination and awareness raising of the workshop findings and
recommendations will be needed. This should be targeted not only at practitioners and
policy makers within the humanitarian community, but also at the development, academic
and political actors. Understanding the livelihoods of Darfurians is fundamental to effectively
intervening on multi-faceted levels to support livelihoods. A second key step will be for
interested, multi-sectoral groups to operationalise these strategic priorities in the form of a
plan that will both guide and support livelihoods programming.

5
 1. Background

In the Darfur region the links between conflict and people’s livelihoods are well understood/
documented. As summarized recently, “Conflict and peoples’ livelihoods are inextricably
linked. Livelihoods are integral to the causes of the conflict and the impact it has had, and
therefore will be central to any lasting solutions to the conflict. Moves to find a peaceful
solution must take account of livelihoods, while efforts to support livelihoods must consider
the political economy of conflict and the implications for livelihoods and livelihood
interventions”1. Perhaps what is less well understood are the adjustments different livelihood
groups have made in their livelihood strategies, their motivations for doing so as a result of
the conflict, the multiple contextual factors influencing these strategies, and the
consequence that these can have in fuelling the conflict. This is not a static situation; it
requires continuous local analysis, understanding and knowledge.

As the conflict in Darfur enters its fifth year, how to support, protect and promote the
livelihoods of different groups has become an ever more pressing issue. In the early years
of the conflict the international humanitarian response prioritised immediate life-saving
interventions, although some agencies undertook livelihoods assessments with a view to
introducing livelihoods programming2. More recently this interest has expanded with a wider
range of agencies paying more attention to how livelihoods can be supported. Over the
same time period, the humanitarian community has also begun to respond to environmental
concerns within Darfur, which are key to effectively supporting livelihoods in Darfur.

Meanwhile the conflict itself has become more entrenched with deteriorating and
unpredictable insecurity in many parts of Darfur, and targeted attacks on humanitarian
assets and in some cases humanitarian personnel. One of the consequences has been the
significant contracting of humanitarian space. This is the challenging environment in which
livelihood support is currently being considered and provided

UNOCHA/RCO staff carried out a consultation within the international humanitarian

community across four locations in Darfur in February 2007. This confirmed that there is a
widely perceived need to identify the most appropriate and feasible responses to support
people’s livelihoods, including protecting assets, supporting strategies that “do no harm”
(environmentally, conflict mitigating, etc), and reducing exposure to protection threats. How
to sustain such interventions in the current context also emerged as a clear challenge. In
response, and building upon research and studies that have been completed in Darfur in the
last two to three years3, it was decided to hold a series of four state-level workshops on

1
Young, H., A. M. Osman, et al. (2005). Darfur - Livelihoods Under Siege. Medford, Feinstein International Famine Center, Tufts University.pviii
2
These included the International Committee of the Red Cross, Concern International and Oxfam GB
3
These included:
• Bromwich, B., A. A. Adam, et al. (2007). Darfur: Relief in a vulnerable environment. Teddington, Middlesex, UK, Tear Fund.
• Buchanan Smith, M. and S. Jaspars (2006). Conflict, camps and coercion: the ongoing livelihoods crisis in Darfur. Final report to WFP Sudan.
• Young, H., A. M. Osman, et al. (2005). Darfur - Livelihoods Under Siege. Medford, Feinstein International Famine Center, Tufts University.

6
 livelihoods, to provide the reflective space, conceptual frameworks and other resources for
these explorations to take place. Recognising the daily logistical, security and other
challenges that aid workers are facing in Darfur, there is a real value in providing the space,
facilitation and opportunity for those same people to step back and to be able to think more
analytically and strategically.

In early July these two-day workshops were held in Al Fashir (for North Darfur), Geneina (for
West Darfur), Nyala (for South Darfur), and was planned for Zalingei (for the Zalingei
corridor) although this was relocated to Nyala for security reasons. In total, there were over
180 participants drawn from international and local NGOs, UN agencies, the Red Cross
movement, the Darfur state governments, academics from Darfur universities, and from
donor governments. The workshops were organised and hosted by UNOCHA/RCO (UN
Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Assistance/ Resident Coordinators Office),
logistically supported by DAI (Development Alternatives) and DSI, and facilitated by a Tufts
University team4. In each location the facilitation team worked closely with a small team of
local resource persons who provided invaluable guidance in identifying livelihood groups in
each area and in supporting the workshop discussions. Members of the Resource Teams in
each location are listed in Annex 2. The workshops were funded by DFID (Department for
International Development) and USAID/OTI (US Agency for International Development,
Office for Transition Initiatives).

2. Purpose and outputs

The purpose of the workshops were twofold:
1. to sharpen the strategic focus and strengthen the effectiveness of humanitarian action in
relation to livelihoods in Darfur now
2. to promote a dialogue among livelihood stakeholders with a view to improved
coordination and analysis, and strategic thinking around the issues between key
stakeholders at state level (including identifying strategic priorities and practical next steps).

Designed to be highly practical and output-oriented, the specific outputs of the workshop
were identified at the outset as:
1. A shared understanding and preliminary analysis using the livelihoods conceptual
framework of how conflict has affected livelihoods in the four regions represented at the
workshops (North Darfur; South Darfur; West Darfur – Geneina and border areas; West
Darfur – Zalingei corridor). This includes identifying gaps in our understanding.
2. A review of effective and feasible approaches for livelihoods programming including
assessment, analysis, response and monitoring.
3. An action plan to advance a more strategic approach.

These outputs were achieved for each of the four workshops and are reported upon in more
detail below as well as in the annexes. First the report describes the workshop approach,

4
Led by Helen Young of Tufts University, the team comprised Abdal Monim Osman of Tufts University, Margie Buchanan-Smith
(independent) and Brendan Bromwich (independent, formerly of Tear Fund).

7
 which was designed to be participatory and intended to integrate livelihoods, conflict,
protection and natural resource management (guided by the Tufts/FIC humanitarian
livelihoods framework (Box 1)). The key findings emerging from this analysis are presented
in Section 4, followed by a review of current livelihoods programming in Section 5. The final
section presents the conclusions and next steps.

3. Workshop process
In order to achieve the workshop purpose, the process was designed to be as participatory
as possible. Workshop discussions took place in small working groups with facilitated
summary discussions in plenary. The conventional approach of formal presentations
followed by discussion was deliberately avoided. The aim was to engage all stakeholders as
active resource persons in developing the analyses, and especially to draw upon the wealth
of local knowledge and expertise of the Darfurian participants5. This worked well and greatly
enriched the discussions and ensured that workshop outputs were owned by the
participants.

For each workshop and its corresponding geographical area, a group of local resource
people identified a number of different livelihood groups according to the main source of
livelihood for that group and also how they had been impacted by the conflict. This resulted
in a maximum of six groups being identified in any one area, although usually only four or
five of these were explored in each workshop (partly because little was known about some
of the livelihood groups, for example those living as part of armed groups, and they would
have been hard to explore). Table 1 presents the different livelihood groups identified,
explained in more detail in Annexes 3 to 6.

5
Although English was the main language of the workshops, periodically discussions and explanations took place in Arabic to ensure
that all could participate and contribute.

8
 Table 1 Livelihood groups identified for each of the four workshops
North West Darfur - South Darfur West Darfur -
Darfur Geneina Zalingei
Livelihood 1. Agro- 1. Pastoralists 1. Pastoralists 1. Pastoralists
groups pastoralists 2. Resident farmers 2. Resident farmers 2. Agro-
explored at 2. Resident 3. IDPs in and around 3. IDPs in and pastoralists
the farmers towns around towns 3. Resident
workshop 3. IDPs in and 4. IDPs in rural areas 4. IDPs in rural farmers
around towns and areas 4. IDPs in and
the urban poor 5. Recently around towns
4. IDPs in rural displaced by tribal
areas conflict
5. People living on
others’ land
Additional 6. Organised 3) Organised armed 6. Organised armed
livelihood armed groups groups groups
groups 4. Foreigners/ asylum
identified seekers occupying the
but not land of others
included in 5. Returnees
the
workshop
discussions
6

Day 1 of the workshop was designed to allow participants to analyse collectively the impact
of conflict on the different livelihood groups. Group work, based on the livelihoods
conceptual framework, was designed to capture the existing knowledge of participants. (See
Box 1). Conflict analysis was integrated as part of this process, to capture the impact of the
conflict on livelihoods, specifically the impact on livelihood assets, strategies and the impact
on policies, institutions and processes (PIPs). Some emerging new PIPs were identified.
The livelihoods conceptual framework was welcomed by participants as a very useful tool
that they can continue to use to deepen their analysis using a shared / common language.

Based on the livelihoods analysis from Day 1 and continuing to use the conceptual
framework, discussions on day 2 shifted to how livelihoods can best be supported from a
humanitarian perspective, again according to the different livelihood groups identified in the
area. This started with a brief review of existing livelihoods programming, to inform more
detailed discussions about how livelihoods programming can become more strategic and
coherent in the future. Discussions were also informed by a recap of the core humanitarian
principles (humanity, impartiality and neutrality) and what they mean, to ensure a principled
approach to humanitarian livelihoods programming.

See Annex 1 for a copy of the workshop agenda.

6
Non-poor urban residents were identified at each workshop, but these groups were not considered in detail except the recognition
that they provide a significant demand for the trade in natural resources so should be acknowledged

9
Box 1 - Understanding livelihoods in conflict settings by building a shared
analysis using the livelihoods conceptual framework
Objectives:
1. Familiarise participants with the livelihoods framework using local knowledge to
illustrate the component parts
2. Explore how the different parts of the framework relate to each other
3. Develop a shared understanding of livelihoods for specific livelihood groups and to
review how conflict affects the different parts of the framework, recognizing that
assets may also represent liabilities (protection threats) and that vulnerability is
frequently a result of the PIPs and particularly new PIPs emerging as a result of
conflict.
Tasks (Steps in the participatory analysis)
Discuss in working groups focusing on a particular livelihood group:
1. What are people currently doing to earn a livelihood? Identifies the livelihood
strategies
2. Why are they doing this? Identifies livelihood goals
3. What do they need in order to do this? Identifies livelihood assets that the household
has access to, plus identifies important policies, institutions and policies of relevance
to this group.
4. How has conflict affected or influenced livelihood strategies, goals, assets and PIPs?
In addition to reviewing the impact of conflict, this exercise reveals new PIPs that
have emerged as a result of conflict and clearly illustrates that vulnerability is
embedded within the PIPs box, hence the importance of PIPs.

A LIVELIHOODS ANALYTICAL FRAMEWORK

for understanding the totality of people’s
livelihoods
INSTITUTIONS
PROCESSES,
& POLICIES
ASSETS

OUTCOMES &
INFLUENCE STRATEGIES GOALS
& ACCESS

Back
ed
Fe

Financial
Social
Natural
Human
Physical
Political
13

Integrating livelihoods, conflict, protection and management of natural resources,

with a view to sharpening the strategic direction.
The approach of developing a participatory analysis that integrates livelihoods, conflict,
protection and natural resource management, and then using this as the basis for a
programming review and for developing strategic recommendations, is novel and therefore 10
explained in a more detail below.
 Integrating livelihoods, conflict, protection and management of natural resources, with a view
to sharpening the strategic direction (continued)

By using the livelihoods framework, participants explored the linkages between strategies, goals,
assets and PIPs. For example, livelihood strategies are the different ways a household pursues its
prioritized short, medium and long term goals. These goals are in part determined by the assets
available to the household. The assets or resources available to the household may be either directly
owned or otherwise accessed by the household, and include:

• Natural, land, water, forests, (there may be rights of access to grazing land, water points etc)
• Physical, livestock, stores & stocks, equipment.
• Financial, money, debt, credit, claims and investments
• Human, health and nutritional status, adult labour and care-providers, skills and level of
education
• Social, household social networks, social institutions, social exclusion, norms, trust, values and
attitudes
• Political assets including networks and connections with local governance institutions, armed
groups etc.

While assets influence the strategies that households are able to pursue, they are also influenced by
the prevailing policies, institutions and processes. For example, the provision of livestock health
services (an institution) influences the subsequent quality and number of livestock raised, while
taxation (a policy) influences the financial revenues or capital flowing back to the household following
livestock sales. Hence the feedback loop is useful for understanding how the PIPs influence access
to assets, and also the final value or quality of assets.

In a conflict setting livelihood assets may also represent liabilities, and therefore ownership or access
to these assets or forms of capital can potentially be a protection threat or risk For example owning
valuable livestock, or carrying cash, can mean that a household/ community in Darfur is particularly
vulnerable to attack and looting. This process of ‘asset-stripping’ of civilians during wartime and
conflict has been documented elsewhere7 .

Asset-stripping may be direct – systematic attacks are intended to destroy the livelihoods of people.
For example, the tactics of driving people off their land and stealing their assets. In the process of
displacement, previous livelihood strategies become impossible and people lose access to other
assets such as farmland.

Or asset-stripping may be indirect – the systemic destruction of livelihoods as a result of processes,

institutions and policies, many of which develop as a result of conflict. Young et al (2005 and 2006)8
describes the emerging PIPs in Darfur region. These were not reviewed at the workshop, rather
participants came up with their own analyses.

7
Keen, D. (1994). The Benefits of Famine: Political Economy of Famine and Relief in Southwestern Sudan, 1983-1989 (Hardcover) Princeton University Press
8
Young, H., A. M. Osman, et al. (2005). Darfur - Livelihoods Under Siege. Medford, Feinstein International Famine Center, Tufts University.
Young, H. and A. M. Osman (2006). Challenges to peace and recovery in Darfur. A Situation Analysis of the Ongoing Conflict and its Continuing Impact on
Livelihoods. Medford, Feinstein International Center, Tufts University.

11
4. Understanding and analysing livelihoods

Value of the conceptual framework and process of analysis

Working through the livelihoods conceptual framework, it was possible to disentangle the
complexity of livelihoods in Darfur for each of the livelihood groups concerned, and to trace
some of the key ways in which the conflict has impacted on livelihoods as well as how some
livelihood strategies can, in turn, fuel the conflict. A number of workshop participants
commented on the value of the framework in enabling sensitive conflict-related issues to be
discussed in ways that are not usually possible, partly because of how the component parts
are broken down and also because of the discipline of following the step-by-step analytical
process described above.

Issues that emerged in this process, common to all the workshops and to the different
livelihood groups, indicate the usefulness of the conceptual framework in deepening the
analysis and ensuring common and shared understanding. These included:

(1) The goals that lie behind and motivate different livelihood strategies are rarely
considered in livelihood assessments, yet have often changed during the course of the
conflict. For both pastoralists and herders, whose livelihood strategies have been blocked
either as a result of restricted livestock migration, or limited or no access to land, then
increased farming became a new goal increasing tension and conflict with settled farmers.
Similarly, for the livelihood group ‘resident farmers living under coercion’ in North Darfur
(Annex 3), pursuing a sustainable livelihood in the current context in the Wadi Barei area is
no longer feasible. Instead, new goals have emerged to do with protecting lives, assets and
as far as possible their rural livelihood systems. This means that some families are paying
‘protection fees’ for their own safety, but have purposely decided to continue living under a
coercive regime in order to maintain ownership of valuable fertile land, fearing they will lose
it if they join the displaced in towns and in camps.

(2) Most livelihood assessments and analyses focus on livelihood strategies sometimes
assets and rarely pay attention to the processes, institutions and policies (PIPs).
Whilst the former are important, understanding the key policies, institutions and processes
was essential for each livelihood group in order to fully capture the vulnerability of
livelihoods as a result of conflict processes which are embedded in the PIPs box. This
covered issues such as markets, the impact of the war economy (e.g.fees at checkpoints),
deteriorating security and the breakdown of governance. A strong analysis of PIPs also
distinguishes the level at which they are relevant (local, national and international), as
described in the list of emerging PIPs below. This more detailed understanding of contextual
PIPs is essential for effective programming response. Without it, programme interventions
may be undermined by factors that have not been well understood resulting in minimal
benefit to the targeted population, and possibly fuelling the conflict.

12
(3) Interactions between livelihood groups, as a result of competing livelihoods, were
readily apparent, particularly where one group sought to control access to the natural
resources in question.

In short, working through the livelihoods conceptual framework helped to distinguish how
conflict has impacted on all components of the framework: goals, strategies, PIPs and
assets, and helped to identify protection risks, and mechanisms through which livelihoods
fuel conflict. This in turn can guide decisions about how best to intervene to support
livelihoods: for example to impact on assets and/ or PIPs, further discussed below. The
feedback loop captures the dynamic nature of livelihoods, including interactions between
project inputs and wider PIPs. Once negative feedback loops are identified, there may be
opportunities for mitigating them. For example, the provision of permanent water points in
rural areas may encourage land occupation and land claims by sedentarized pastoralists
and therefore should be avoided, unless there is the agreement of the original land owners.

How assets have been destroyed in the conflict, particularly in the first two years, is well
known and well-documented. The workshops captured this, but also the continuous erosion
of the asset base since 2003, for all livelihood groups. For example, resident farmers in
West Darfur no longer have access to some of their most productive land, such as wadi
land, where it is being occupied by others. Blocked migratory routes and concentrations of
livestock have increased the incidence of overgrazing, disease and epidemics and resulted
in livestock losses for pastoralists. How social capital as an asset has been eroded was
frequently mentioned for different livelihood groups. For agropastoralists in the Zalingei
corridor this was articulated as deteriorating relationships and loss of trust with other
livelihood groups, which has meant that negotiation is harder and the conflict has become
more entrenched, a pattern that was highlighted for other pastoralist groups as well. IDPs
living in large camps around towns, for example around Nyala, have lost much of their
original social capital from the village. Although new leadership and power structures have
emerged in the camps, some of which may be exploitative, workshop participants have
observed that people have become more individual and less community-orientated.

Particularly interesting and important are the emerging PIPs that are negatively impacting on
livelihoods. Common themes that emerged are as follows:

• Conflict and insecurity are continuing to destroy livelihoods, and the adaptations
in livelihood strategies that particular livelihood groups make, in turn fuel the conflict.
An example of this is provided in Box 2. Other examples include:
o Competition over scarce natural resources, especially firewood, around areas of high
population concentration e.g. around towns and IDP camps. This is an example of how
competing livelihood strategies between IDPs and pastoralists have fuelled violence,
especially gender-based violence.
o Blocked migration routes, in part a result of inter-tribal conflicts and expansion of
farming, has partly encouraged pastoralists to graze their livestock on the fields of resident
farmers before the harvest, in turn fuelling the tension between these two groups.

13
 o Some pastoralist groups are becoming increasingly sedentarized as former migration
routes are blocked, resulting in some occupying land belonging to others, thus fuelling
conflict and creating future problems over competing land claims. It emerged during the
workshop that issues around land occupation are poorly understood and require much more
research and exploration.
o The measures needed for sound adaptation to climate change (e.g. improved
community level collaboration over resource management, shelter belts etc) are at odds with
how the crisis is undermining environmental protection activities. For example, intimidation
and gender based violence is currently used by some groups to control access to lucrative
forestry resources (firewood, which is then sold to the groups who have been denied
access).

• The continued disruption of markets and trade, particularly impacting those who are
still able to engage in some of their pre-conflict livelihood strategies, namely pastoralists and
resident farmers. Before the conflict the market was one of the most important institutions
through which different livelihood groups interacted; in many parts of rural Darfur this has
just collapsed. The working group considering pastoralists in West Darfur articulated the
disruption very clearly: many rural markets are now closed and there is a corresponding loss
of reciprocal networks between herders and farmers. Although new routes to access
functioning livestock markets have been found, these are risky, usually longer and therefore
much more costly. Access to international markets has thus been affected. The collapse of
rural markets and of long distance trade in grains and other cash crops has negatively
impacted the livelihoods of resident farmers.

• The breakdown in local governance was often mentioned, affecting all livelihood
groups. Two of the most frequently mentioned aspects were, first the lack of services –
agricultural and veterinary – to resident farmers and to pastoralists respectively; and second
the breakdown of traditional conflict resolution mechanisms as the tribal administration has
been severely weakened. This is most evident around land and water resources and the
inability to manage competing claims which means that the most powerful (i.e. those who
are best armed) usually retain the upper hand. There is little or no evidence of sustainable
natural resource management.

• Environmental degradation is accelerating as a direct consequence of the breakdown

in environmental governance. Concentrations of people and livestock in restricted
geographical areas is at an all-time high in Darfur, severely depleting timber and water
resources in particular. This has been exacerbated by some poorly planned humanitarian
programming that has paid scant attention to the impact on the environment9, especially for
IDPs living in large camps where environmental pressures are greatest. In these areas of
high population concentrations and depleted natural resources sustainable livelihoods are
unlikely to be achievable in the current crisis for the vast majority.

9
Brendan Bromwich reminded workshop participants of some of the processes of environmental degradation that have been accelerated during the conflict in Darfur,
described in ‘Relief in a Vulnerable Environment’. He also gave an example of an agency building latrines for IDPs that required 7 substantial logs in North Darfur for
construction when alternative technology could have been used.

14
 • International humanitarian action emerged as another PIP influencing livelihoods,
often positively as described in the section below. However, one of the more negative
aspects has been the lack of adherence to the humanitarian principle of impartiality. The
evidence for this is that almost all pastoralist groups have so far been largely ignored by
internationally-funded livelihood support programmes. Not only does this undermine the
reputation of humanitarians as impartial, it also perpetuates the long-term marginalisation of
these groups and their exclusion from any peace negotiations. The frustration and
disillusionment of some pastoralists (particularly the Arab aballa10) means that they are now
harder to access. Some of these points are further discussed in the following section. As
pastoralist livelihoods are poorly understood by many international agencies, box 3 captures
some of the key points that emerged from the analysis of this livelihood group in the four
workshops.

Box 2 How conflict destroys livelihoods, and how adaptation of livelihoods in turns
fuels conflict: an example from those recently displaced in South Darfur due to tribal
conflict
A feature of the shifting pattern of conflict in Darfur is the emergence of widespread and violent
conflict between different ethnic groups since 2006, particularly different Arab groups in South Darfur.
The working group looking at this particular livelihood group in the Nyala workshop identified the
following cycle:
• Pastoralists selling livestock to reduce the risk of attack and looting, which in turn depresses
livestock prices
• Pastoralists using the income generated to purchase arms to protect themselves and their assets
• Armed and violent conflict escalating between competing ethnic groups
• Increasing number of displaced – those who have not been able to protect their livestock herds,
but who also feel unsafe residing in official IDP camps, and are therefore staying in rural areas thus
increasing the burden on host families.

Box 3 Key points emerging from the workshop analyses on pastoralist livelihoods
• Livestock migration is designed to carefully manage limited natural resources – water and
pasture. Where migration is blocked transhumant pastoralism is no longer viable. The past 30 years
has seen increasing pressures on livestock migration routes as a result of increasing numbers of
drought years, the consequent earlier migration southwards (which brings pastoralists into conflict
with farmers), expansion in farming in the central rangelands (in part due to pastoralists migrating
southwards and taking up farming e.g. the Zaghawa in the 70’s and 80’s). Combined with an erosion
of tribal conflict resolution mechanisms, this has generated increased tribal tensions, conflict between
farmers and pastoralists and subsequent closure of routes to some groups (the northern Gizou
pastures have been inaccessible to some groups for more than 10 years).
• The livestock trade has all but collapsed in large part because of the closure of the main long-
distant livestock trade routes to Libya, Egypt and Omdurman. And the forced displacement of rural
farmers has had a negative impact on local rural markets which depended on the mutual trade
between farmers and herders, which has been largely destroyed.
• Livestock sales are almost entirely for local consumption rather than export. As migration routes
have become blocked and as livestock markets have collapsed, many pastoralists are unable to
produce and sell enough livestock to earn an adequate living. They increasingly have to resort to

10
Aballa: camel herding pastoralists

15
farming creating issues of land occupation (see below) and to the sale of natural resources e.g.
firewood to earn a living. As already mentioned, this fuels the conflict with IDPs over the collection
and sale of firewood.
• As livestock movements have become restricted many pastoralists are shifting from large stock
(cattle and camels) to small stock (sheep and goats) which are better suited to more sedentary living
and are less vulnerable to looting.
• More permanent settlements are springing up for pastoralist groups as their movement and
migration patterns are constrained. Sometimes this is on land belonging to others which may result in
long-term issues of competing land claims (especially in West and North Darfur).
• Little unity exists between pastoralist groups and tensions are escalating between many of them,
especially in South Darfur, where there has been more than four inter-tribal conflicts between
pastoralist groups in the past year (see annex 5), but also among the northern Rizeigat in North
Darfur.
• A growing culture of militarization, especially among the Aballa youth who are often armed and
wearing military dress.
• While the international humanitarian community has relatively little contact with pastoralist
groups, the private sector is engaged with this group, meeting their needs, including the shift in
demand towards smaller stock, pharmacies selling livestock drugs and water drilling.

5. Review of current livelihoods programming

5.1 What do we mean by livelihoods programming?

Livelihoods programming is potentially very broad in scope, encompassing multiple sectors,
a diverse range of actors or stakeholders and different levels of response (international,
national and local). In the context of these workshops we have taken livelihoods
programming to mean any programming, policy or advocacy response that is based on or
emerges as a result of livelihoods analysis for a particular livelihoods group. This naturally
narrows down response options to those that affect or influence the prevailing PIPs and
portfolio of assets for that particular livelihoods group.

Thus, in reviewing current livelihoods programmes in Darfur, participants in working groups

identified any humanitarian initiatives that are affecting or influencing livelihoods of the group
in question. Thus food aid was sometimes included where it was felt to be critical in
supporting existing livelihoods – either as an income transfer, or a source of livestock
fodder. A review of current livelihoods programmes relating to each of the livelihoods
groups in each geographic area is presented in annexes 3 to 6.

For example, the provision of veterinary services strengthens the physical capital (livestock)
of the participating households, but also is affected by prevailing government policies on
livestock health and pastoralism; the availability of and access to existing animal health
services; the knowledge and skills of available animal health workers; the private sector
supply and demand etc. An intervention that takes into consideration these broader facets
will be far more likely to succeed than an intervention focusing solely on animal disease.

16
For the range of programmes identified, participants went on to consider how their positive
impacts could be built upon or expanded, and how any negative impacts could be mitigated.
Finally participants discussed and identified new and innovative ideas for supporting
livelihoods of these groups. Underpinning these discussions were key points arising from
Day 1, including:
• The conflict/ livelihood cycle and how one fuels the other.
• The risks of livelihood asset-stripping and other protection threats associated with
livelihoods.
• Awareness of the importance of longer term processes such as environmental
degradation caused by population growth and concentration, poor governance and climate
change in informing short term programme design..
.
• Humanitarian principles, particularly the humanitarian imperative and impartiality, and
the importance of comprehensive assessments as the basis for allocating resources
according to need.

5.2 The limited focus of current livelihoods programming

This review revealed that at present livelihoods programming tends to focus predominantly
on supporting people’s livelihood strategies and on their assets, with less understanding or
consideration of how it influences, or is influenced by, the key PIPs for each group. For
example;
• Distribution of seeds and tools without considering access to land,
• Donkey re-stocking among IDPs, without monitoring the potential for increasing
protection threats (e.g. from gender based violence as a result of using donkeys for firewood
collection and travelling longer distances in rural areas);
• Vocational training and provision of related inputs with inadequate market analysis of the
skills or products concerned.
• Drilling boreholes in rural areas without clarifying rights of land ownership or land use by
local inhabitants.

5.3 Key findings from the review of current livelihoods programming

All of the workshops found that once a livelihoods analysis had been completed for a
particular livelihood group, the importance of the prevailing PIPs became obvious, and
were readily included as part of more strategic thinking in planning and designing future
intervention strategies. This was made easier by the continuity of the working groups
focusing on one livelihoods group, and continuing to apply the conceptual framework for
reviewing the implications of the intervention i.e. considering its impact on assets, strategies,
goals and PIPs. (Examples from resident farmers in S Darfur).

Generally the livelihoods analysis had been extremely pessimistic, clearly illustrating the
cyclical nature of conflict between competing livelihoods, particularly between pastoralists
and farmers, and the downwards spiral of impoverishment, environmental degradation and
entrenched localised conflict. In some contexts this cycle is recognized by a small number

17
 of local and international NGOs who are trying to ensure the impartiality of their livelihoods
programming by engaging with all livelihood groups, in turn indirectly supporting initial or
ongoing dialogue between groups. Dialogue is a first and much-needed step towards
resumption of complementary livelihood strategies, and may ultimately lead to the opening
up of opportunities to pursue previously blocked livelihood strategies, access to markets,
and natural resources. In the Darfur region, it is around livelihoods that competing groups
meet and do business. This is evident in many scenarios. For example, in Zalingei the IDP
women purchase firewood from the Arab groups who control firewood collection, and then
the IDP women resell the firewood in the camps. The IDP women are doing business with
their adversaries. Similarly, groups living under coercion are paying “protection fees” to their
adversaries in order to remain on their land and cultivate. Both of these examples illustrate
the day to day livelihood transactions that people are engaged in, even where the
relationship is essentially coercive.

Examples were given where current humanitarian programming has supported processes of
local dialogue and helped break the livelihoods conflict cycle. For example, overland
humanitarian access to one group in the Jebel Mara region was secured by the
humanitarian agency working with all groups, thus developing relationships with groups that
had previously hindered access, as well as those denied access. Similarly there were
examples of local markets re-opening as a result of very local reconciliation following
humanitarian intervention.

But apart from these very limited and specific examples, understanding among the
international community of competing livelihood issues was felt to be very poor. This may
partly account for the second key finding, which is the inequitable distribution of
livelihoods interventions among livelihoods groups, with far less livelihood support of
pastoralists compared with IDPs or resident farmers. Pastoralists are not a homogenous
group and even within this group there are large differences. For example, the camel
herding Aballa who were reviewed as a group in Zalingei were only receiving two
international interventions (EPI and livestock vaccination) as compared to almost 15
interventions for Zalingei IDPs. This was further reflected in the lack of humanitarian
assessments and actual contact with pastoralist groups11.
.
Agencies who are pioneering some of the most progressive livelihoods programming are
usually focussed on community structures and local governance and on how to strengthen
or repair social capital rather than just asset distribution. Examples include work by KSCS in
the Kebkabiya area. Building on their long-term relationships with local communities,
developed over a 20 year period, they have observed how working to strengthen local
community structures within some of the coerced farming livelihood groups has given the
communities greater confidence to articulate aspects of the exploitative relationships they

11
More recently pastoralist issues are receiving renewed interest to review, understand and address, and in Nyala UNOCHA has just formed a Nomad
Working Group with another already existing in Geneina for several years (although suffereing from a lack of strategic coordination and subsequent
action).

18
endure, but also how strengthening community structures and community cohesion has had
an empowering effect as they negotiate with their coercers. A second example is provided
by CRS in West Darfur. They have pioneered seed vouchers and seed fairs as well as the
local manufacture of tools, avoiding the conventional approach of buying seeds and tools
outside the area and then distributing them. CRS has consciously worked to strengthen
community groups (for example seed fair committees as well as local blacksmith groups)
and to support local markets and local traders. They have also used training programmes,
for example of fuel efficient stoves, as an opportunity to bring together local communities
and to rebuild damaged community relationships.

In conclusion, this brief review has shown that although current livelihoods programming is
fairly limited, there are examples of good practice where interventions are responding to
critical livelihood needs, and promoting interactions, even dialogue, between different
livelihood groups. It is important to note that in a context of ongoing conflict, humanitarian
livelihoods programming will never be able to substitute completely for food distribution
programmes, and that even the most successful initiatives will only contribute a part of
people’s overall subsistence needs, thus leaving a gap that must be met by other
humanitarian means.

The review also showed the importance of understanding the totality of people’s livelihoods,
and thus identifying appropriate interventions or actions that influence key PIPs as well as
assets and strategies. In reviewing the breadth of humanitarian livelihoods programmes,
issues of more overarching or strategic relevance become apparent, including for example,
coordination, leadership, and appropriate ways of working, which are reviewed in the final
section.

6. Future strategic directions for livelihoods programming

The participatory analysis completed on Day One was crucial for informing the discussions
on programming, and the more strategic recommendations (shown for each working group
in Annexes 3 to 6). A series of consistent recommendations emerged from all four of the
workshops. These were clustered into five groups or categories as shown below.

1) Comprehensive livelihoods analysis to inform integrated humanitarian

programming and wider processes
A more comprehensive and informed understanding and analysis of livelihoods is essential
as part of assessments and for planning, implementing and monitoring humanitarian action
to support and protect livelihoods. This analysis should be based on the livelihoods
conceptual framework, and on integrating conflict, protection, natural resource management
and gender. It should also be based on participatory, inter-disciplinary and inter-agency
approaches.

19
Specific recommendations related to this include:
a) Emphasis on analysis of the context specific processes, policies and institutions, (PIPs)
including those that operate at local level, state level, nationally and internationally.
b) More market analysis & interventions, to include more market analysis of trade routes
between primary, secondary and tertiary markets; particular commodities (livestock, cereals,
food aid); transport constraints and complementary trading systems (livestock and cereals).
Support of microfinance services for local businesses and traders. Seed vouchers and fairs
(building on CRS experience)
c) In programme design, more emphasis on understanding the links between conflict and
livelihoods, particularly how failing livelihoods drive conflict, which in turn impact on
livelihoods, thus identifying opportunities to break this cycle.
d) An example of integrated livelihoods programming is among IDPs where a range of
complementary interventions are provided e.g. vocational training including business
management skills, related inputs, market analysis and support as appropriate, capacity
building of CBOs and programme committees.
e) Use two sector reviews (water and food security) to pilot the integration of many of the
above key factors into a sector strategy so as to advance these ideas at a practical
operational level and at a coordination level.

2) Strategic coordination and collaboration on livelihoods assessments,

analysis and programming
Coordination of livelihoods assessments, analysis and response is essential, and must
prioritise critical strategic issues, strengthen cross-sectoral linkages and multi-disciplinary
approaches.

Specific recommendations related to this include:

a) Improved multi-sectoral coordination (particularly regarding water, pasture, agriculture
i.e. sectors affecting multiple livelihood groups)
b) Strengthening /capacity-building the Food Security/ Livelihoods Working Groups to
provide appropriate guidance, information, analysis to operational agencies, and to play a
more strategic coordination role in the support of livelihoods. Membership of this group
should be expanded. Develop a clear strategic plan for agriculture and pastoralism linked
with agreed milestones.
c) Specific areas that require better coordination include; working with groups that are
occupying land (which would include working with the original landowners as well as the
current land occupants); working with pastoralists (already covered in South Darfur by a
pastoralists forum, but needs to be expanded and prioritized) capacity development of civil
society, including local NGOs, CBOs and programme committees (see point 4 below)
d) Coordinated advocacy on the importance of livelihoods and sustainable natural resource
management targeted at grass roots level, to donors, UN agencies, government, parties to
the conflict, international actors – UN mediators and incoming hybrid AU/UN mission in
Darfur (UNAMID.

20
 e) Network for knowledge-sharing, more learning and linking with on-going experiences i.e.
lesson learning and sharing.

3) Promoting Sustainable Natural Resource Management (SRM)

In a subsistence economy, natural resources are foundational assets for livelihoods. In
times of crisis livelihoods are unlikely to be sustainable, but support should be provided to
livelihoods to promote sustainable management of resources, because without the resource
base sustainable livelihoods will not be rebuilt. This puts an emphasis on sustainable
resource management12 in the humanitarian context.

Specific recommendations related to this include:

a) Agencies to screen all existing programmes for environmental impact and introduction of
sustainable natural resource management.
b) Livelihoods analysis should identify negative feedback loops impacting on resources and
seek to mitigate these – such as the depletion of environmental resources which
undermines livelihoods that depend on these – both now and in the future.
c) Encourage reforestation (woodlots) and forest management including an ‘anti-logging’
campaign
d) Land use mapping, including analysing the land carrying capacity in relation to livestock
needs for water and pasture (relates to points 1 and 5)
e) Apply the 3 basic steps of environmental assessment, identification of: negative impacts;
appropriate mitigation and opportunities for environmental enhancement13.
f) Support introduction of alternative technologies e.g. alternative building technologies and
energy technologies and fuel efficient stoves
g) Monitor environmental changes
h) Promote community environmental management at camps through CEMPs (Community
Environmental Management Plans).10
i) Develop a list of activities that reduce environmental risk and can be integrated into
programmes
j) Raise awareness of adaptation to climate change and to disaster risk reduction.

4) Promoting partnerships and strengthening local capacities (to promote

dialogue and more integrated programming)
The importance of partnerships in implementing successful programmes was widely
recognized, particularly between international and local Community Based Organizations.
Programme committees are also central in the implementation of programmes yet are often

12
Darfur: Relief in a vulnerable environment p29 for an explanation of the framework of sustainable resource management and
subsequent chapters for practical recommendations.
13
Integrating environmental issues in the context of Darfur involves the following three steps:
1. Conducting a Rapid Environmental Assessment (REA)
2. Developing a Community Environmental Action Plan (CEAP)
3. As experience based on CEAPs is built up, a Community Environmental Management Plan is developed. From: Bromwich, B., A. A. Adam, et al. (2007).
Darfur: Relief in a vulnerable environment. Teddington, Middlesex, UK, Tear Fund. (pages 49-52).

21
hastily formed and given limited support. Other important local institutions for international
actors to partner with include local NGOs, local university departments, including in
particular the Peace and Development Centers (Zalingei, Nyala, and El Fasher). A strong
cadre of Sudanese professionals are working in Darfur who represent a significant human
resource which could be mobilized more effectively as a community.

Specific recommendations related to this include:

a) A strategic shift from “provisioning” to more local procurement and production focused
on seeds and tools, market analysis, local market resuscitation, rebuilding economic
relationships and preserving local varieties.
b) Capacity development of local institutions is an essential programme activity, which will
strengthen institutional and governance capacity, and promote dialogue and understanding.
It should not be seen as a means to an end i.e. an add-on to a project proposal intended
simply to achieve that project’s goals.
c) Through programming partnerships with multiple stakeholders, and programme
approaches with multiple livelihood groups, promote dialogue that rebuilds relationships
between communities.
d) Use partnerships with donors and other national and international organizations for
policy related advocacy on the importance of livelihoods and conflict at a policy level (and
other specific livelihood related issues – see pastoralism below).
e) Learn lessons from experienced agencies of capacity building of CBOs (Practical Action,
ACF)

5) A strategic focus on marginalized livelihood groups, particularly

pastoralists
To date, the humanitarian response has favoured certain groups while marginalizing others,
in particular pastoralists, who have received much less international support than either
IDPs or resident farmers. Livelihoods analysis is a prerequisite for ensuring that resources
are allocated according to need between competing livelihood groups i.e. impartiality of
humanitarian response, and for appropriate planning/ implementation of future recovery and
development. Given the relative neglect of pastoralists and pastoralism as a livelihood
system in Darfur, a UN led, inter-agency assessment and dialogue with all pastoralist groups
is an urgent priority and planning steps have already been initiated. However this needs to
be closely linked with appropriate humanitarian action, and relevant responses.

Specific recommendations related to this include:

a) All workshops called for more assessments, analysis and response to the needs of
pastoralists, including developing capacity to undertake such assessments.

22
 b) A participatory community-based review of existing policies and practices on pastoralism
with local and national government and relevant international organizations to ensure it is
linked with appropriate policy change14.
c) Where groups have become ‘hard to reach’ as a result of limited contact e.g. Aballa
Arabs in Zalingei area, existing interventions (livestock health, and EPI) should be used as
an entry point.
d) Improve understanding of customary law as it affects pastoralists.
e) Establish community based organizations among pastoralists to facilitate awareness,
dialogue and participation by NGOs.
f) Complement and facilitate appropriate private sector engagement with pastoralists
g) Examples of possible interventions; revolving fund mechanisms for inputs; livestock
health initiatives and training of community based animal health workers; support of
livestock markets by exploring alternative uses of livestock, e.g. slaughterhouses and
processing plants, food processing vocational training; on migratory routes support of
stopover areas with services; support mobile primary schools, and secondary boarding
schools; provide complementary interventions to farmers and pastoralists, e.g. market
support, that will promote dialogue;
h) Action research needed on; pilot fodder/pasture seed broadcasting; traditional NRM
methods/practices.

14
4. This could also include: A collection and and analysis of all pastoral related interventions and and assessments that have been undertaken
as part of the humanitarian response; A review of pastoralism related development projects within Darfur prior to the crisis; A desk study to
develop lessons learnt from support to pastoralism elsewhere in Sudan and the Sahel (e.g. correspondence with Sahel working group
including their recent study following Niger drought – “Beyond any drought”).

23
7. Conclusions and Next Steps

In these livelihood workshops a participatory approach was highly successful in engaging a

wide range of people from government, UN organizations, international and local NGOs,
and academics. And the livelihoods conceptual framework enabled potentially difficult and
sensitive discussions to take place without major disagreements or delays. All of this was
key in producing a participatory analysis and a clear strategic direction for future livelihoods
programming.

Evaluations following each of the workshops were unanimous that the objectives were met
in full. Participants praised the participatory analytical process and several called for more
similar initiatives and had suggestions for broadening the outreach, including for example
involving representatives of the livelihood groups themselves. There was wide recognition
from both international and national participants of the value of having strong local experts
and resource people, some of whom have been working as professionals in Darfur for more
than 30 years. Those Sudanese who recently came to Darfur to work with the humanitarian
operations should also be acknowledged as their knowledge and experience of the recent
dynamics of conflict, challenges of humanitarian response and implications for livelihoods
were invaluable.

Several agencies who are already developing livelihoods programmes committed

themselves to integrating this new understanding into their work. For example;
• after the workshop ACF in North Darfur applied a similar analytical process in a strategic
planning exercise;
• CARE in South Darfur indicated they would be reviewing new project proposals using
the livelihood framework lens;
• the Kebkabiya Charitable Smallholders Society (a local NGO) proposed to organize
similar workshops with their CBO partners;
• Oxfam GB have committed to integrating livelihoods, NRM, protection and gender and
therefore were interested to learn from the wider regional analysis.
• A number of agencies including Tearfund, Concern, CRS, Oxfam, Practical Action, DRC,
NCA are pursuing the introduction of alternative building technologies which is an effort to
improve the sustainability of the brick industry by providing brick making technology that
does not use timber for firing.

Apart from these specific examples, other participants requested the detailed outputs and
recommendations from each of the working groups in order to take forward some of what
was learned. In particular, the use of the livelihoods conceptual framework in conflict
situations (a simple but comprehensive analysis tool); adopting the three step environmental
screens for their programmes; and exploring the specific recommendations regarding new
opportunities and gaps were considered valuable tools and programming guides to apply.

24
Key Next Steps
As a follow-up to the wide dissemination of the workshop report, the following steps are
essential:

1) Enhance awareness amongst the broader Sudanese, (especially Darfurian civil society),
humanitarian, donor, related government and academic community of the lessons learned
and recommended priorities which emerged from these workshops.
2) Convene follow-up meetings upon release of the report in each of the four locations
across the three States of key agencies engaged in, or supporting livelihoods programming
in order to review the strategic outputs, and to prioritize and develop a strategy and support
mechanisms to take forward these priorities. Multi-sectoral representation of both UN and
implementing partners, both local and international, reflecting a mix of strategic and
operational expertise will be important for these meetings.
3) Support the integration of these livelihoods programming strategic priorities into various
planning processes including the 2008 UN and Partners Work Plan, agencies strategic
planning, donor strategies, government plans, etc

It is hoped these steps can be taken forward in September/ October following the release of
the workshop report.

25
 ANNEXES

CONTENTS

ANNEX 1 Workshop agenda ............................................................................27

ANNEX 2 Local resource teams in each workshop ......................................29
ANNEX 3 NORTH DARFUR – El Fasher Workshop .......................................30
North Darfur Livelihood Group 1: Agro-Pastoralists .......................................31
North Darfur Livelihood Group 2: Resident Farmers ......................................35
North Darfur Livelihood Group 3: IDPs living in and around towns, and the
urban poor. ......................................................................................................37
North Darfur Livelihood Group 4: Resident farmers living under coercion......39
North Darfur Livelihood Group 5: People living on other people’s land that
has been vacated. ...........................................................................................42
ANNEX 4 WEST DARFUR – El Geneina Workshop .......................................47
West Darfur Livelihood Group 1: Pastoralists.................................................48
West Darfur Livelihood Group 2: Resident farmers ........................................51
West Darfur Livelihood Group 3: IDPs in and around town .............................54
West Darfur Livelihood Group 4: IDPs in rural areas.......................................56
ANNEX 5 SOUTH DARFUR – Nyala Workshop...............................................58
South Darfur Livelihood Group 1: Pastoralists ...............................................60
South Darfur Livelihood Group 2: Resident Farmers......................................63
South Darfur Livelihood Group 3: IDPs in & around town ..............................65
South Darfur Livelihood Group 4: IDPs in rural areas ....................................69
South Darfur Livelihood Group 5: Those recently displaced by tribal conflict..72
ANNEX 6 ZALINGEI CORRIDOR - WEST DARFUR.........................................76
Zalingei corridor Livelihood Group 1: Pastoralists (the Abbala).......................77
Zalingei corridor Livelihood Group 2: Agropastoralists ...................................79
Zalingei corridor Livelihood Group 3: Resident farmers .................................82
Zalingei corridor Livelihood Group 4: IDPs in large concentrations around
towns...............................................................................................................86
ANNEX 7 ENVIRONMENT IN DARFUR ............................................................89
ANNEX 8 LIST OF PARTICIPANTS ...................................................................93

26
 ANNEX 1 Workshop agenda
(includes working group activities)

Darfur Livelihoods Workshops

ZALINGEI

10th- 11th July 2007

WORKSHOP AGENDA

Day 1: Tuesday 10th July

8.30 – 9.30 Welcome and introductions

9.30 – 11.00 Understanding livelihoods by developing a shared analysis

–– in working groups
For major livelihood groups in the Zalingei corridor:
1) What are people currently doing to earn a livelihood?
2) Why are they doing this ie what are their goals?
3) What do they need in order to do this?

11.00 – 11.45 Plenary: developing a framework for deepening analysis of

livelihoods

11.45 – 12.30 FATOUR

12.30 – 13.30 Understanding livelihoods – working groups continued

4) As a result of the conflict, or PIPs connected with the
conflict, how have livelihoods been affected for this
group?

13.30 – 15.00 Understanding livelihoods – feedback to plenary

15.00 – 15.30 BREAK

15.30 – 17.00 Exploring the links between conflict and livelihoods

1) What are the key ways in which the conflict impacts on livelihoods,
and vice versa?
2) What are the implications for livelihoods programming –
opportunities, risks?

27
Day 2: Wednesday 11th July

8.30 – 9.00 Recap of day 1, and scene-setting for day 2

9.00 – 11.30 Review of livelihoods programming – in working groups for

different livelihood groups

1) What are agencies currently doing to support livelihoods?

How is this impacting on assets or PIPs?
2) Where there are positive impacts, how can they be built
upon/ expanded?
3) Where there are negative impacts, what do we need to do
differently?
4) What are the gaps eg in terms of our understanding,
programme interventions? What other opportunities are there
(assets and PIPs)?

11.30 – 12.30 FATOUR

12.30 – 14.15 Developing a more strategic and coherent approach for

livelihoods programming, and proposing how this might be
achieved

14.15 – 14.45 BREAK

14.45 – 16.15 Working groups feedback

16.15 – 16.45 Plenary discussion

16.45 – 17.00 Workshop closing

28
 ANNEX 2 Local resource teams in each workshop

Livelihoods Workshops
Key Resource Persons

Resource Persons El Fasher

1. OCHA Farah Omer Humanitarian Officer [email protected] 0912177959
2. Oxfam Dr Adam Bushara Camp Coordinator 0911165227
3. Practical Mohamed Saddig Prog. Coordinator [email protected]
Action 0912492291
4. FAO Bashir Abdel Rahman Agriculture Officer [email protected]
Resource Persons Geneina
1. OCHA Farrah Omer Humanitarian Officer [email protected] 0912177959
2. WFP Abdal Rahman Norein VAM Officer [email protected]
0912844285
3. FAO Mohamed El Hafiz Project Officer [email protected]
0912396240
4. CRS Belihu FS Coord/HoO [email protected]
Resource Persons Nyala
1. UNDP Hussein Bagadi ROL Officer [email protected]
0912846121
2. Univ of Nyala Dr. Abdel Rahman Range management 0912681882
3. Oxfam Yagoub Osman Program Coordinator [email protected]
4. Univ of Dr. Abdal Jabar Professor, Fac Env & [email protected]
EFasher Nat Resources
5. OCHA Idriss Yousif Field Officer [email protected]
6. WFP Malony Tong VAM [email protected]
Resource Persons Zalingei
1. Univ of Zal Abuelgasim Abdalla Dean of Faculty of [email protected]
Faculty of Adam Forestry
Forestry
2. Univ of Zal Dr. Yousif Ahmed 0121593214
Shrafeldin
3. FAO Abdalla Adam Ismail Head of Office [email protected]
0912396253
4. JMRDP Mohamed Ahmed Research manager 0914512803
Ahmed Ibrahim
5. Univ of Dr. Abdal Jabar Professor, Fac Env & [email protected]
EFasher Nat Resources
6. OCHA Zal Abdalla Eltelaib National Field [email protected]
Officer

29
 ANNEX 3 NORTH DARFUR – El Fasher Workshop
LIVELIHOOD GROUPS
1. AGRO-PASTORALISTS - Zaghawa, Meidob, Zayadia, Beni Hussein and Berti .
The Northern Rizeigat in Kutum and Kebkabiya, who are predominantly pastoralists
as few have access to land, were not included in this groups discussions.

2. RESIDENT FARMERS still living in their original communities. This group is

present in many different areas of North Darfur (both government-held and rebel-held
areas) and is affected by the conflict to differing degrees in different areas.

3. IDPs LIVING IN AND AROUND TOWNS, and the urban poor. Living in large
camps around Al Fashir. Livelihood options are limited and many are related to the
urban economy.

4. RESIDENT FARMERS LIVING UNDER COERCION, Mostly Fur farmers

along Wadi Barei, living under coercion regimes imposed by neighbouring ethnic
groups aligned to government, or newly arrived groups.

5. PEOPLE LIVING ON OTHER’S LAND i.e. land that has been vacated in the
displacement process. This group includes; displaced people farming land owned by
others; displaced Mahariya from Kutum in Cuma; Northern Rizeigat who are farming
Fur land near Kebkabiya; people returned from Chad to Dar Zaghawa.

6. Organised armed groups eg militias and bandits (identified but not reviewed by a
working group)

30
North Darfur Livelihood Group 1: Agro-Pastoralists

Location: North Darfur

Several groups spread throughout North Darfur fall into this group, including the Zaghawa, Meidob,
Zayadia, Beni Hussein and some Berti, all of whom have their own homeland or Dar. The Northern
Rizeigat in Kutum and Kebkabiya, who are predominantly pastoralists as few have access to land, were
not included in this group. Combined pressures on pastoralism over the past 30 years have pushed
pastoralists to cultivate. The Zaghawa, Meidob and Zayadia are traditionally Abbala (camel herders),
while also keeping sheep and goats. The Beni Hussein would also keep some cattle. The Berti are
traditionally farmers but keep livestock also.

Processes
Institutions
Assets / Liabilities
Policies
Strategies Goals

Access

Feedback Loop

Assets PIPs Strategies Goals

Financial Institutions • Rainfed cultivation To feed the family
Cash, incentives -Markets • Livestock herding -Insurance against bad
Physical -Social services support (sheep and goats, camels, times
Seeds, tools, other ag -Veterinary services and very few cattle). -Generate income to meet
inputs, livestock -Ag extension services • Labour migration other goals such as
Infrastructure, roads, food -Informal & formal • Remittances to families education, access to
Human money transfer systems for HH needs health services ,
Labour, skills, for remittances • Collection and selling addressing other HH
Social -Commercial transport of charcoal, firewood, needs
Social structure to -Erosion of native grass, local construction -Coping strategies to
manage natural resources administration materials, etc survive
& maintain social -Legal institutions have • Collection of wild -Preserve assets
coherance broken down foods for HH -Maintain control over
Natural consumption land
Rain, land, water, pasture, Policies -Preservation of existing
trees, grass, wild foods -Taxes – road, livestock social fabric
-Government services to -People don’t have other
rural areas options – farming and
-Government herding has traditionally
marginalisation been their way of life

Processes
-Lack of security and
stability
-Stable Market demand
and prices
-Environmental
degradation has forced
changes, resulted in losses
-Aridity of the region -
Variable rain has made
livestock the only viable
activity, particularly in the
very arid areas

31
 -Control of geog areas by
different armed groups eg
GOS, SLA, NRF, etc
-Labour migration out
-labour demand

How conflict has impacted on this group:

Assets and PIPs Impact of the Conflict
Financial
Cash, incentives
Physical -Looting of animals & other assets
Seeds, tools, other ag inputs, livestock -Prevention/restricted movement of livestock
Infrastructure, roads, food -Looting of animals & other assets
Human
Labour, skills,
Social
Social structure to manage natural resources &
maintain social coherance
Natural -Constrained access to water points, land, grazing areas,
Rain, land, water, pasture, trees, grass, wild foods markets – due to insecurity, and armed groups control over
different areas
Institutions
-Markets -Previous markets have collapsed, some being eliminated due to
-Social services support interrupted trading routes and supply chain
-Veterinary services -forced agropastoralists to sell off livestock to generate income
-Ag extension services thus flooding the market and forcing the livestock prices down
-Informal & formal money transfer systems for -New markets have emerged in other areas where people have
remittances concentrated with their assets eg Birmaza, Kulkul
-Commercial transport -Lack of market access due to insecurity
-Erosion of native administration -Breakdown of social structures and conflict resolution
-Legal institutions have broken down mechanisms essential for addressing land and migratory
disputes and other issues
-lack of rule of law
Policies
-Taxes – road, livestock -High taxes and road fees due to insecurity and war economy
-Government services to rural areas -Lack of GOS social services, ag and livestock support
-Government marginalisation services, and capacity

Processes
-Lack of security and stability -People are no longer in the far northeast, changes forced by
-Stable Market demand and prices climate and conflict? (unclear which influence)
-Environmental degradation has forced changes, -Conflict, banditry and insecurity, physical violence
resulted in losses -Biggest impact of the conflict/blocked migratory routes, and
-Aridity of the region - Variable rain has made environmental issues, is on the nomads who, because they are
livestock the only viable activity, particularly in the unable to sell enough livestock to earn a living, are
very arid areas incorporating farming and the selling of natural resources to
-Control of geog areas by different armed groups eg their strategies. They have shifted to become more
GOS, SLA, NRF, etc agropastoralists. True nomadism is no longer an option in some
-Labour migration out areas eg Meidop move within confined areas not traditional
-labour demand migratory routes
-Livestock movements now within limited and controlled areas
rather than the former long migratory routes. This is resulting in
shifts to smaller stock (sheep, goats) vs large stock (cattle,
camels)
-Ltd movement out of area, forced due to rebel group area
control, and voluntary because of desire to retain control over
land and area therefore reduced migration and reduced
remittances

32
Humanitarian Livelihoods Programming
Examples of livelihoods programme inteventions
There has been an emphasis on food, seeds, tools, fodder, grinding mills provision, veterinary services
resuscitation through training of AHWs/paravets, some donkey restocking, some water provision
including shallow wells/handpumps, boreholes, dam rehabilitation, tree plantation, primary health care,
to mention some. Agencies focused on supporting Agropastoralists include: Oxfam, FAO, AHA, CHF,
RI, COOPI, ICRC, UNICEF, PA, ACF, SCF Swedan, DAI, WFP, GAA.

What to do More Of What to do Differently What to do New

-more capacity building of -engage more with CBOs -initiating more peace-building
CBOs, need to do audit first of approaches eg conflict reduction
what’s been done
-tree planting to be expanded to -introducing revolving mechanisms -strengthen traditional conflict
other areas, an integral part of to begin to reduce repeated management mechanisms
programmes “provisioning”
-targeted animal restocking with -give more programming emphasis -introducing locally managed water
appropriate veterinary services to this livelihood group harvesting, building on local
(agropastoralists) capacities, and particularly in
pastoral areas
-learning from, linking to, -strengthening our capacities to do -review existing GoS/admin policies
ongoing experience assessments tailored to this and practices
-do more local analysis with livelihood group
pastoralists
-more capacity building for -give more emphasis to
traditional and emerging leaders agropastoralists social needs not
just livestock

Positive impacts to build on Negative impacts to mitigate Gaps

-service support is helping -more short-term focus asset -not focused on biodiversity gaps,
people to stay in place provision that is not adapted to building capacity to multiply
-minimize distress sale of people’s specific needs, based on locally,
livestock what’s locally available, doesn’t -support structure for building
-new market establishment eg address biodiversity gaps, capacity
Kulkul, Birmaza -expired drugs -in vaccines production locally in
-protection by presence Sudan
-information and analysis on land
occupations
-inadequate information on this
livelihood group

Future strategic directions for livelihoods programming and action plan

1. Building capacity of and working with local institutions and CBOs

This is a cross-cutting approach to be integrated into all strategic directions.
Agencies particularly well positioned to help identify and build such capacities include Practical Action
(PA), Oxfam, ACF. It was recommended an action plan for building capacities of local institutions and
CBOs be developed

2. Interagency Assessment for more informed, deeper analysis (OCHA)

a) Undertake assessments to both deepen understanding of all livelihood groups across sectors, and
particularly the conflict’s ongoing impact, conflict evolution and political dimensions, and build
capacities of agency staff and local stakeholders to do so
b) By engaging a broader set of local stakeholders will build relationships, for ongoing monitoring at
the community and local level.
c) Use participatory tools and build links with communities and local service providors
d) Develop a database to build an institutional memory of documentation on livelihoods, including
such assessments. Food Security and livelihood (FS/L) working group (WG) should be the
custodian of this activity and action plan
e) Promoting the use of a common conceptual livelihood framework

33
3. Strategic Planning for Livelihoods programming (FAO,UNDP with FS/L WG)
a) Strengthen the FS/L WG to provided the guidance and play a more strategic coordination role in
the support of livelihoods. Leading this initiative could be FAO, UNDP, Oxfam and ACF.
b) Identifying and engaging local resource persons, new and existing CBOs, local NGOs, and other
institutions in the strategic planning and coordination of livelihoods programming
c) Engaging local authorities in the coordination of support to livelihoods programming
d) Some strategic programming areas to integrate include:
-SRM
-participatory extension approaches
-pastoralists - access to basic social services and extension and awareness raising

4. Promoting Sustainable Resource Management

a) Screen all existing programmes (All Agencies)
b) Call for inter-sectoral coordination (OCHA)
c) Mapping of natural resources to include timber, pasture, rangeland, water (MoA, NCF, UNEP,
INGOs)
d) Adopting interventions that promote collaboration with local institutions
e) Update existing environmental studies eg TFund study, although only recently completed (FAO,
Universities, UNEP)
f) Explore alternative energy sources including solar, wind, plant residues

5. Dialogue and Local Reconciliation

a) Support and advocate for local level reconciliation processes – Darfur led advocacy? (UNMIS,
Oxfam, OCHA, others)
b) Undertake a chronological mapping to understand changes in local governance including how
traditional leadership has been eroded
c) Promote “light” SRM through CEMP in addition to wider SRM strategies (INGOs, CBOs, NGOs,
others)

34
North Darfur Livelihood Group 2: Resident Farmers

Location: North Darfur

Geographic areas include rural El Fasher, Kebkabiya and Kutum.
Main tribes: Fasher – Dadinga, Fur, Musabat, Berti, Kineen
Kebkabiya: Fur, Zaghawa, Tama, Tunjur
Kutum: Fur, Zaghawa, Tunjur

Processes
Institutions
Assets / Liabilities
Policies
Strategies Goals

Access

Feedback Loop

Assets PIPs Strategies Goals

Seeds and appropriate Security Crop cultivation – including millet, Food for family, personal
agricultural tools Market access – some sorghum and maize, vegetable consumption
Access to land & water for both crops crops Income generation for cash
supply and livestock Livestock raising for consumption and Crops/goods/services for
Skills/knowledge Access to sale – some poultry raising sale – both wholesale and
Labour – either within the transportation Firewood collection and sale retail
family or paid daily Veterinary care Fruit cultivation Education
Access to credit – either for animal health Fodder cultivation and sale Health care service costs
seed credit or monetary Bank support Casual and day labour Rent payments
Herbicides/pesticides for Grass cultivation and sale Dowry payment
improved crops Tobacco growing and sale Skills building
Bank support or family Sharecropping Improve standard of living
cash support – either in Small enterprise – including pot – maintain or improve
kind or $; for crops and making, brick making, carpentry, social status
livestock handicrafts, blacksmithing, Savings/investments – for
Storage capacity for cereals apprenticeships price maximization; toward
and seeds Provision of transport for good/water next years inputs; to
Social networks In-kind bartering purchase livestock

How conflict has impacted on this group:

Assets and PIPs Impact of Conflict
Financial Decreased access to credit/banking
Cash
Credit
Physical Access to seeds, fertilizers, pesticides reduced
Seeds Livestock looted, numbers decreased
Tools
Fertilizer, pesticides
Livestock

Human Push/pull factor of the camps and IHA; some migratory

Labour patterns changed to camps rather than for work
Social Isolated populations sometimes cut off from cities,

35
Social networks markets. Traditional systems weakened by
displacement of nearby populations. Increasing
dependence on aid
Natural Access to land is diminished, some only able to farm
Land one mukhamas now compared to before the conflict;
Water supply Overuse of limited water supplies
Policies Can block access to land
Administrative policies for land access
Institutions Conflict has diminished either access or availability of
Markets each of these
Veterinary services
Basic social services
Processes Insecurity decreases access to land, to water, to
Insecurity services; decreases services delivered to rural areas
Drought Farmer’s are concerned about both too much water and
Floods too little
Predatory grazing Concern over pastoralists entering farm areas too early
and destroying crops, either deliberately or not

Livelihoods Programming

Examples of livelihoods programme inteventions

Humanitarian aid to this group has included distribution of seeds and tools, rehabilitation of water
systems, some mobile clinics both for human and animal health

Do more of, to enhance positive impacts

Increased emphasis on big picture approach
Participatory/interdisciplinary assessments and analysis
Joint programme interventions – including planning and implementation

Do differently, to mitigate negative effects

Need a paradigm shift – move from ‘emergency’ only focus to a broader humanitarian focus that
addresses immediate needs while also recognizing mid to long term inputs.
Need agreement from both agencies and donors for this to happen

What should we be doing that’s new/ fills gaps?

“Green” approach – Analysis of activities in terms of environmental impact (both + and -)
Increase focus on resource management – land, water, forests

36
North Darfur Livelihood Group 3: IDPs living in and around towns, and
the urban poor.

Location: North Darfur

Living in large camps around Al Fashir, Kutum, Kebkabiya etc. Livelihood options are limited and
many are related to the urban economy.

Processes
Institutions
Assets / Liabilities
Policies

Access Strategies Goals

Feedback

Strategies: Goals
Brick-making, receiving and Survival, basic needs, supplement
selling food aid, water selling, food basket, education, income
grass collection, wood generation, social obligations,
collection and selling, wage skills – adaptation, health, social
labours in towns, handcrafts, obligation
masons, farming, markets in
camps, remittances, migration,
brewing, NFI/soap sale, work
for INGOs, government etc

Impact of the conflict on Assets and PIPs

Brick-making / Selling Wage labour Trading Farming / Selling
construction humanitarian aid livestock natural
resources
Assets: Clay, Assets: food aid, Assets: Assets: Seed Assets: fertile Assets:
water, wood, NFIs, soap unskilled money, storage, land, seed resources,
transport, skills, labour, tools, skills, security tools, skills, rain, transport,
cheap unskilled water,
labour, land, tools protection,
transport,
labour,
storage,
PIPS: market, PIPS: market, PIPS: market, PIPS: transport, PIPS: PIPS: Access
middlemen functional market, extension to resources,
economy, rule communication, services, pest market,
of law rule of law, control, vets, security,
payment fodder,
mechanism,
union,
Impact of Impact of Impact of Impact of Impact of Impact of
conflict: poor conflict: scarcity conflict: surfeit conflict: conflict: conflict:
access to water, for family, power of labour, scarcity, security, lack security /
wood, land: dynamics, looting scarcity in protection, of extension protection.
cheap labour, banditry, demand, infrastructure, work, reduced Poor
high demand – insecurity, gender, lack of lack of rule of access to infrastructure,
construction is registration information, law, poor supply land, land poor markets,
safe place to store difficulties, exploitation, of commodities, degradation, power
assets; power lack of market population dynamics,
dynamics of concentrated, exploitation,

37
industry protection
important money

What should we be doing differently?

• Assessments
• Contextual analysis needs to be undertaken on a regular basis
• Better integration with programming

What should we be doing more of?

• Assessments – understand the markets and the existing strategies
• Diversify livelihood skill-sets
• Coordination – at planning, assessment, strategy stages (who will lead on this?)
• More flexibility is needed – programme design according to assessments of identified needs
• Work with institutions as well as assets – e.g. government; as per Oxfam KSCS model; to promote
sustainability
• Lesson learning – like this workshop
• Water supply as a livelihood programme. – but take care of the negative impacts (groundwater
depletion, brick-making causing deforestation, exploitation of labour).

What is should we be doing that is new?

• Integrate assessments of negative impacts of the work (identify, mitigate, enhance framework)
• Use the livelihoods framework to develop overarching strategy to integrate programmes
• Strategic thinking
• Advocacy on livelihoods
• Integrate Sustainable resource management into projects
• Understand political economy / power structures / PIPS of industries relevant to IDPs

38
North Darfur Livelihood Group 4: Resident farmers living under
coercion

Location: North Darfur

Mostly Fur farmers along Wadi Barei, living under coercion regimes imposed by
neighbouring ethnic groups aligned to government, or newly arrived groups.

Processes
Institutions
Assets / Policies

Access Strategies Goals

Feedback

Assets PIPs Strategies Goals

Farming: Farming: • Receiving food aid a) • To feed
• Agric inputs • Community for own consumption themselves
• Manpower mobilisation b) to sell (M & W) • To generate
• Donkey transport • Negotiation with • Farming rainfed and income
• Irrigation pumps coercers (relates irrigated a) for own • For safety/
to social cohesion consumption b) to sell
protection (need
Livestock: within commy) (W)
extra cash to pay
• Animals Livestock: • Petty trade (W)
protection fees)
• Fodder • Market • Some livestock (goats
& sheep) (M) • Staying on land to
• Water • Security maintain
• Casual labour (off
• Vet services season) (M) ownership (NB
Casual labour: Casual labour • Remittances (M) this is usually
• Skills • Labour market • Collecting firewood valuable land)
• Tools • Security (W) • Storage of food
• Donkey transport & Also: • Some hh members for unpredictable
trucks • Access to registered as IDPs (W) events
communal areas (M) = men (W) = women
• Social status
(related to land)

How conflict has impacted on this group:

Assets:
The conflict has impacted negatively on this group’s assets, for example on their financial assets as
they have to pay cash as part of the coercion regime. Their natural assets have also been negatively
affected, including water and firewood.

PIPs:
Most of the ways in which the conflict has impacted on this group relates to PIPs.
Processes:
• Security has deteriorated particularly affecting women

39
• Increased inter-tribal tension means that this group is denied access to communal areas to gather
natural resources. These have become ‘forbidden areas’ controlled by militias. This is particularly
serious for those who do not have access to wadi land.
Institutions:
• Community management and mobilisation has broken down as community leaders have left these
‘coerced communities’, also negatively affecting law and order
• Access to markets is severely constrained as part of the coercion regime

Policies:
• The coercion regime can be considered as a kind of ‘informal policy’, imposed by one group on
another. As a result, the coerced farmers are having to share a large part of their income/ livelihood
with armed groups – those who are coercing them. It was also noted, however, that the nature of
this coercion regime has been constantly changing during the conflict

Livelihood strategies:
The conflict has also impacted on some of this group’s livelihood strategies. For example, many have
switched from cultivating sorghum to cultivating millet and okra which is less likely to be grazed and
destroyed by camels

Livelihoods programming

Examples of livelihood programme interventions:

Impacting on assets
• Distribution of seeds & tools
• Distribution and training in fuel efficient stoves
• Household latrines
• Distribution of tree seedlings
• Food aid
• Animal restocking
Impacting on PIPs
• Animal treatment centers (for the coercers as well as the coerced)
• Farmer training
• Support to community committees

Do more of, to build on positive impacts

• Work more to strengthen community structures, and community cohesion, to empower some
of these coerced communities as they negotiate with their coercers.
• Even the presence of NGOs helps communities to talk about what is happening to them
• Learn from agencies which have a long-term presence and experience of working with these
communities, eg KSCS
• Deepen the humanitarian community’s understanding of the nature of the relationship between
the coerced and the coercers and how coercion regimes change over time, also ensuring that
this analysis is widely shared

Do differently, to avoid/ mitigate negative impacts

• To avoid the loss of indigenous crop varieties, local procurement of seed should be
encouraged, accompanied by training farmers in producing quality seeds, and exploring the
use of seed vouchers instead of seed distribution
• Encourage and invest in the local construction of tools

40
What should we be doing that’s new/ fills gaps?
• Agencies focused on ‘rule of law’ (eg UNDP) need to engage much more with the situation
facing these coerced farmers and coercion regimes
• The humanitarian community needs to engage more in dialogue with those groups doing the
coercing, for example to understand better their motivations etc
• Efforts should also be made to support dialogue between the coerced and the coercers.
• Coercion regimes and their impact are not well understood outside Darfur. The analysis needs
to be disseminated and shared more widely eg in Khartoum.

41
North Darfur Livelihood Group 5: People living on other people’s land
that has been vacated.

Location: North Darfur

This group includes:
• Displaced people who are farming land owned by others, for example, in Tawilla, Korma and
Kutum.
• In Southern Kornoi Southern there are approximately 35,000 Zaghawa who recently returned from
Chad. They left in 2003 and returned since th signing of the DPA.
• Displaced Mahariya (northern Rizeigat from Kutum) in Cuma, the homeland of the Zayadia (also
Arab).
• Northern Rizeigat who are farming Fur land near Kebkabiya.
Not all those occupying land are farming, for example, in east Jebel Si, which is north of Kebkabibya
and on the previous migratory routes for pastoralists, pastoralists are living there but are not cultivating
land.

Processes
Institutions
Assets / Liabilities
Policies
Strategies Goals

Access

Feedback Loop

Assets PIPs Strategies Goals

Livestock • Access to markets • Livestock herding • Satisfy household
Natural • Market demand • Farming consumption needs
• Rangelands/ pasture • Open migratory • Small scale trading
• Crop residues routes • Collection/ sale of Livestock
Physical • Access to veterinary natural resources e.g. • Source of income
• Food aid/ CSB being services firewood/ dry grass, sale of animals
used as food for • Security stones • Saving
livestock • Agricultural services • Livestock looting • Social status
Human • Casual labour – • Food provision –
• Skills/ labour brick-making, water- meat, milk
selling • Transportation
Farming • Food aid/ • To use for labour
Natural humanitarian inputs
• Land – appropriate Farming
type and size. • Source of food
• Rain/ water • Cash crops
Physical • Use for construction
• Timely access to • Animal feeding
inputs – seeds and • Self-sufficiency
tools
Financial
• Credit
Human
• Skills/ labour

42
How conflict has impacted on this group:
Processes
• Insecurity – lack of access to migratory routes
• The security and safety of livestock depend on who you are
• Livestock concentrations for example in Cuma and Malha, as a result of insecurity which leads to
problems of pressures on natural resources.
• Land occupation is not a driver of conflict in all areas e.g. Tawilla
• Increased sense of ownership by occupants who have lived there for a couple of seasons

Institutions
• Small weekly rural markets (10 to 15 km apart) have closed, which means rural farmers and
herders cannot easily access market.
• Traders send agents to collect livestock, and rural dwellers are forced to accept low prices for their
produce. There are high disparities in prices between agents and main markets
• No credit for subsistence farmers – only credits available for farmers that are trading i.e. better-off
• Breaking down of norms and rules for grazing farmers fields; deliberate animal grazing of crops
before harvest

Livelihoods Programming
Examples of livelihoods programme interventions
These groups may be receiving humanitarian services ‘by default’ as they are not differentiated by
humanitarian actors who are broadly targeting entire areas. There is a huge gap in understanding of the
interrelationships between groups, because of insecurity and lack of access by humanitarian actors,
which causes interventions to be very superficial.

Do more of, to enhance positive impacts

Promoting dialogue between occupiers and owners should feature as part of implementing
humanitarian programmes. While reconciliation is not a humanitarian objective, facilitating dialogue
may be appropriate in implementing other humanitarian interventions.

Do differently, to mitigate negative effects

• It is important to determine not only who people are but why they are farming the land of others,
and what their relationship is to the original owners. This requires talking to all sides, including
the original owners who may be in IDP camps.
• Livelihood support are only appropriate where all groups accept it, and are willing and able to
dialogue and the activities do not exacerbate existing tensions and conflict. Therefore critically
important to work with all sides; occupiers, displaced etc.
• Better coordination on the issues of working with groups that are occupying land.
• More partnerships with local actors, who have a good understanding and experience of working
with these groups.

What should we be doing that’s new/ fills gaps?

• More analysis and better understanding of the issues facing this group (focusing on the PIPs),
which involves local key resource people in participatory approaches. This may involve
identifying a network of local resource people and organizations.
• Better analysis of interacting/ inter-dependent livelihood systems, and understanding of the ‘thin
line’ between supporting illegal occupations linked to the conflict and supporting displaced who
might be temporarily farming. While the latter is acceptable, humanitarian services that add value
to occupied land may exacerbate existing tensions and conflict e.g. improving water sources,
seeds and tools etc.
• This should allow greater flexibility in programme approaches and local adaptations.
• Important to monitor shifts in community relations and not simply specific humanitarian outputs.

43
• Need for specific humanitarian policies to guide the provision of assistance to these groups, based
on a historical understanding of the livelihoods context.
• Establish a forum for exchange of information about this group, and use the livelihoods conceptual
framework, key resource people, and participatory approaches to promote understanding.

44
 Livelihoods Programming – NORTH DARFUR
ACTION PLAN (Plenary)

ACTIONS WHO
Assessments & More Informed Analysis
Interagency Assessments – more emphasis on understanding underlying OCHA
power dynamics, markets, etc i.e PIPs
Strengthen current interagency WWW database and existing livelihoods FAO, OCHA, APU (Ag
related documentation, assessments, background literature, etc, link to other Planning Unit)
existing databases (Tufts, Darfurian network, RCO, others)
Community Profiling – cross-sector, build on existing efforts, assess OCHA, HCR, Intersos
capacity to do
Common Framework for assessments – develop and adopt shared guidelines OCHA coordinated
for doing assessments that address livelihoods as defined by conceptual
framework
Comprehensive participatory methodology for assessments for OCHA coordinated –
understanding livelihoods multi-stakeholder platform

Strategic Planning and Coordination

Extending timeframes 3 yrs? OCHA to prompt

Building on this meeting/workshop - OCHA to guide
Role of GoS?
Strengthen the FS/L Group members to actively involve local orgs in their FAO
planning, M&E, etc in support of livelihoods
FS/L group ensures local resources are better known and accessible to int’l FAO/OCHA to lead
orgs
Consulting more with local traditional leaders, local authorities for strategic FAO/OCHA to lead
planning purposes – make the SP process more participatory
Consider different scenarios in SP for livelihoods FAO (interagency)

Working with Local institutions, CBOs, local processes

Chronological mapping of how traditional leadership been eroded and OCHA to lead - Agencies
changed for a better understanding of traditional leadership, now and before need to undertake in
Needs to be coordinated to minimize duplication programming (Oxfam, PA,
CA,
Identifying new CBOs and building existing partnership, networking, Oxfam, PA, CHF, ACF,
empowering, strengthening of existing NGOs KSCS, AHA, SUDO,
Mapping of existing CBOs based on available information through agencies KAEDs (funded by DAI)
Refresher courses for existing CBOs to build on previous and new training Oxfam, PA, CHF, ACF,
areas particularly SRM, community mobilisation, KSCS, AHA, SUDO,
KAEDs (funded by DAI)
Linking CBOs with related GoS institutions Oxfam, PA, CHF, KSCS,
AHA, SUDO, KAEDs
(funded by DAI)
Developing an action plan for building capacities of traditional leaders i.e. Oxfam, PA, CHF, ACF,
livelihoods programming, leading community committees, KSCS, AHA, SUDO,
KAEDs (funded by DAI)
Harmonize ways of working in partnership INGOs with CBOs Oxfam, PA, CHF, ACF,
KSCS, AHA, SUDO,
KAEDs (funded by DAI)
Sustainable Resource Management

Operational agencies to undertake detailed environmental studies at local Tearfund, Oxfam/KSCS,

project level – Tfund report Annex provides a format/guidelines CEMP IRC, CHF, PA UNEP,
UNDP, SECS, FAO,

45
 UNICEF
All agencies should screen existing programmes for negative environmental Operational Agencies
impacts
Creating awareness and ownership in communities of environmental issues,
harmful practices, SRM

Mapping of natural resources (forest, water, landuse, etc) MoA, FNC, NCF, INGOs,
UNEP
Improve inter-sectoral coordination btw forums OCHA to prompt sectoral
leads
Embed SRM in all programmes All Agencies

Strategic Livelihoods programming

Engaging GoS and building awareness, capacities, to support livelihoods Sector leads & INGOs
programming eg vocational training, MoA, etc
Awareness and advocacy around GoS resettlement/return plans IOM, sector leads, Oxfam
Pay more attention to pastoralists viz basic social services in programming
Building dialogue into our programming approaches at community level
that promotes problem solving, reconciliation, etc eg related to land issues,
repairing relations,
LEARNING NEEDS TO BE BETTER REFLECTED IN ACTION PLAN
Our efforts to reflect more partnerships btw local research/university
networks, int’l community and int’l research networks
PILOT PROJECTS?

46
 ANNEX 4 WEST DARFUR – El Geneina Workshop
LIVELIHOOD GROUPS

1. PASTORALISTS: principally dependent on livestock, although some

may be engaged in some cultivation. In the northern corridor (Kulbus) and in
the southern corridor

2. RESIDENT FARMERS still living in their original communities In the

northern corridor (Dar Gimr); the eastern part of Geneina locality; and the
southern part of Geneina locality

3. IDPS IN AND AROUND TOWNS living in large camps around Geneina.

Livelihood options are limited and many are related to the urban economy

4. IDPS IN RURAL AREAS usually living in the same areas as the resident
farmers. Often displaced over short distances, from smaller to larger villages.
often with some access to land and greater livelihood options that IDPs in
town

5. Other groups not discussed: organised armed groups eg militias and bandits;
foreigners/ asylum seekers occupying the land of others; returnees

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West Darfur Livelihood Group 1: Pastoralists

Location: West Darfur (not including Zalingei corridor)

In the past this group depended primarily on livestock and transhumant pastoralism, but are
increasingly becoming settled due to restricted mobility and resorting to other livelihood strategies
including crop husbandary, and firewood collection. Migration is within a very restricted area.
Pastoralists now dominate the main villages in this area and comprise 55 to 60% of the rural
population.

Processes
Assets / Liabilities Institutions Strategies Goals
Policies

Access

Feedback Loop

Assets PIPs Strategies Goals

Water • Peaceful passage to • Sale of livestock & • Survival
Pasture/ fodder grazing areas in the products (yogurt, fat, meat, • Increasing number of
Skills North milk from nomadic groups) livestock through
Social capital • Access to water • Agriculture – cereals & looting
points (esp in the vegetables • Selling livestock - not a
north) • Sale of firewood, building goal – it is the last resort
• Access to livestock materials, fodder , forage • Prestige and respect
markets • Looting of livestock • Education
• Market integration • Banditry • Political inclusion and
• Improved social representation
services ‘Blocked’ strategies • Land ownership
• Representation in • Labour migration • Peace building and
local and national • Herding conflict resolution
government • Livestock trade – now only
• Natural resource for sale to butchers, not for
management trade
• Security/ • Pressure on natural
peacebuilding resources blocks strategies
related to this

How conflict has impacted on this group:

Processes
• Insecurity limiting mobility of livestock and blocking of livestock migration routes. Large
numbers of livestock in a small area puts pressure on local natural resources, including access to
grazing lands, access to water and livestock health. Herd composition is changing; previously
camels were preferred particularly in the north but this is changing towards sheep.
• In the dry season there is a lack of feed for animals, which in turn may mean that pastoralists have
to purchase fodder or alternatively feed their animals with millet/ sorghum which in turn
contributes to increase price in seeds. The pressure on fodder also contributes to predatory grazing
of crops before harvest to (End Aug – to end Sept).

48
• A further trend is the sedentarization of pastoralists. Previously these groups would not have had
permanent settlements, but with restrictions on movements more permanent settlements are
common, particularly in the middle of migration routes, as access to the northern and southern part
of the routes have been lost. This is an issue for humanitarians because these people are
occupying other people’s land i.e. this is directly linked to the conflict. To restore this access
requires a series of negotiations with different groups.
• Increasing competition over grazing, water and alternative livelihood options. As pasture is
exhausted pastoralists move on to exploiting the forests, and and cutting trees to feed animals and
sell firewood. The competition over natural resources with IDPs, has lead some groups of
pastoralists to use harassment and rape of IDP women as one means of exerting sole control and
access to firewood resources.,
• Increasing cultivation – partly driven by loss of rural markets for cereals, and also pressures on
pastoralism above. Over time this could lead to a land claim, particularly given the high
productivity of the land which they will not want to relinquish. In addition, the opportunistic
cultivation can erodes the natural environment leading ot loss of browse (shrubs) and grassland.
• The previous trend of purchasing livestock as an investment by agropastoralists is currently
avoided because it is vulnerable to risk. This has contributed to a fall in livestock prices.
• There is little dialogue between groups, as pastoralists are armed and the farmers are not so they
are subordinate. Although there is evidence of some local negotiations and agreements between
farmers and herders (Umm Dokhun, Fora Boranga, Muli in Geneina district).
• There is conflict between pastoralist groups e.g. the Zaghawa and Arab groups, however, despite
this they continue to ‘do business’ together (Zaghawa buy livestock from Arab traders).
• Increase in banditry and looting

Institutions
• Rural markets are now closed, which means that rural herders have lost their natural marketing
partners (farmers) and therefore cannot buy food from local market. Loss of reciprocal networks –
between farmer and herder.
• Access to national and international markets to sell their livestock have also been affected, with the
loss of international markets in the long-term.
• New routes to access livestock markets have emerged, from Geneina to south Darfur, and CAR
avoiding rebel areas. This takes much longer, and therefore adds to the logistical costs.
• There are disputes, tribal conflicts even, between pastoralist groups – and generally little unity
between groups. Some pastoralist groups are more marginalized than others. Increased ethnic
polarization between pastoralists and other groups, which means less dialogue due to increased
tensions.
• There is a crisis in social capital and traditional leadership. There is an increase in self-appointed
leadership or new leadership among IDPs, and divided loyalities when old leaders return. Youth no
longer respect traditional elders, while power rests with the gun.
• Pastoralist groups have become highly politicized, aligned to GoS and later mobilised by GoS as
part of the counter-insurgency.
They lack and want greater political representation

Policies
• Recent government policies to demarcate livestock migration routes have ignored traditional
practices and not sufficiently engaged farmers and herders in meaningful dialogue.

Livelihoods Programming
Examples of current livelihoods programme inteventions
• Water points and community health and hygiene promotion
• Primary health care services
• Supplementary feeding centers for pastoralist community

49
• Community animal health workers
• Agricultural tools & seeds
• Livestock vaccination services
• Food distribution (GFD)

Do more of, to enhance positive impacts

• Appropriate siting of water points
• Food aid should be provided to all groups as a means of supporting eroded livelihoods
(particularly where alternative strategies are driving conflict or damaging to the environment).

Do differently, to mitigate negative effects

• Improved multi-sectoral coordination (particularly regarding water, pasture, agriculture)
• Market monitoing to include more market analysis of trade routes between primary, secondary and
tertiary markets; particular commodities (livestock, cereals, food aid); transport constraints and
complementary trading systems (livestock and cereals).
• Support cultivation where there has been dialogue and agreement with the original land owners.
Encourage dialogue between neighbouring groups wherever possible.

What should we be doing that’s new/ fills gaps?

• Better understanding and analysis of the impact of the ongoing crisis on the environment, natural
resource management, land use and livelihoods of different groups (based on the livelihoods
framework), taking account of historical studies and available local knowledge and experience.
• Support of livestock markets by exploring alternative uses of livestock, e.g. slaughterhouses and
processing plants.
• Access to microfinance services for traders and small businesses.
• Better assessment of food aid needs for pastoralists e.g. school feeding in mobile schools
• Aim to mitigate negative impacts of food aid on local markets and production.

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West Darfur Livelihood Group 2: Resident farmers

Location: West Darfur, Geneina

Processes
Assets / Liabilities Institutions Strategies Goals
Policies

Access

Feedback

Assets PIPs Strategies Goals

Farming: Farming: • Farming: in areas near • Food for the
• Land • Security the village and in household
• Seeds & tools • Markets small hh gardens; • Cash income
• Water (including cereal crops in the • To maintain
• Skills & knowledge rainy season household assets
transport to access
• Manpower • Petty trade
markets)
Livestock: • Herding of small
• Animals Livestock: livestock (sheep &
• Pasture • Vet assistance goats) NB in small
• Water • Markets herds
• Security • Collection & sale of
grass, wood and
charcoal

How conflict has impacted on this group:

Assets:
• Insecurity has affected the quality of land that this group is able to farm, ie often the most
productive land, such as wadi land, is being used or occupied by others, and/ or irrigated farms
have been destroyed
• The value of the farmer’s production has fallen (related to market issues mentioned below)
• Households are less able to maintain stocks of seeds and tools as their agricultural production
has fallen
• Water sources have been destroyed eg irrigation pumps
• Remittances have fallen as labour migration has reduced
• Animal numbers have fallen as animals have been looted
• Rental income has fallen (see below)
• The household’s manpower has been negatively affected as men have been killed or have
joined militias

51
PIPs:
Processes:
• Environmental degradation is negatively affecting both land and water as farmers are forced to
cultivate small areas close to the village
• The resources available to them, especially land, are also negatively impacted by the large
presence of IDPs. Many resident farmers are sharing their land with IDPs
• And there has been some occupation of the resident farmers’ land by other groups
• Labour migration has fallen because of insecurity
Institutions:
• Traditional land and water management systems are in crisis and no longer function as
effectively as before the conflict
• There has been a reduction in markets, in terms of number, size and quality
• Agricultural and veterinary services have broken down
• There has been a deterioration in relationships between resident farmers and those to whom
they would normally rent land as relationships between communities have deteriorated.

Livelihoods programming
Examples of livelihood programme interventions:
Impacting on assets
• Distribution of seeds & tools (for field crops as well as vegetables)
• Distribution of tree seedlings
• Distribution of treadle pumps for small-scale irrigation
• Restocking
• Provision of fodder
• Provision of water – intended for humans but used by animals
• Promoting income generating activities
• Distribution (and training in) fuel efficient stoves
Impacting on PIPs
• Agricultural extension
• Animal health services (vaccination, de-worming etc)
• Firewood patrols
• Promoting dialogue between communities
• Support to markets by running seed fairs, and by purchasing tools from local blacksmith
groups

Do more of, to build on positive impacts

• Use seed vouchers and seed fairs to support seed distribution. This approach, pioneered by
CRS in W Darfur, has many advantages: it supports local markets and local traders; it
strengthens community groups eg seed fair committees and local blacksmith groups; and it
maintains and promotes local seed varieties
• Invest in more environmental interventions. This includes doing more tree seedling
distribution (which should be produced locally and accompanied by environmental awareness
training) and more distribution of fuel efficient stoves.
• More should be done to support small-scale irrigation which is usually easiest for farmers to
protect, being close to the household, and offers an opportunity to diversify production and to
earn a cash income.
• The provision of water sources should continue (but see also below on ‘do differently’)
• Support to livestock needs to be maintained and built upon, eg animal vaccinations and
treatment, and the distribution of fodder which should specifically be targeted at areas with
poor pasture
• There also needs to be more focus on exploring and supporting income generating activities

52
Do differently, to avoid/ mitigate negative impacts
• Rather than rehabilitating motorised irrigation pumps, which are vulnerable to being attacked
and destroyed, the focus should shift to rehabilitating shallow wells and treadle pumps which
are less likely to be destroyed
• In future water sources should be provided for animals separately from the current provision
of water sources for humans, in the interests of health and hygiene
• Training (eg in fuel efficient stoves and in environmental awareness) should be seen as an
opportunity to bring communities together and to build community relations (building on
CRS’s experience)
• Rather than firewood patrols, there should be more investment and attention paid to
supporting dialogue between communities who are experiencing harassment in collecting
firewood, and those who are doing the harassing to negotiate access. Wherever protection
payments are being paid, ways of discouraging this should be sought.

What should we be doing that’s new/ fills gaps?

• Resident farmers are the backbone of many rural communities that are now hosting large
numbers of IDPs. More attention needs to be paid to this group, recognising the potential role
they can play in rebuilding relationships between different livelihood groups, for example,
many resident farmers have had some relationship in the past with pastoralist groups. If this is
fostered, the resident farmers could play a key role in rebuilding relationships between IDPs in
rural areas and pastoralists, where relationships have deteriorated most.
• Investing in expanding the water sources available to resident farmers will help to reduce
tension and conflict with pastoralists over water.
• Water harvesting techniques need more attention to boost agricultural production on the small
areas currently cultivated.
• The conflict-related constraints on markets are a major hindrance to this group. Ways of
improving and protecting transportation between markets should be explored as they could
make a real difference to livelihoods.

53
West Darfur Livelihood Group 3: IDPs in and around town

Strategies: Charcoal making (by migration) Food /

NFI exchange & sale, petty trade, donkey cart,
stone collection and crushing, mud collection,
Humanitarian Livelihood Framework domestic labour, construction, brick-making, wage
labour, trade, firewood and grass collection,
Location: West Darfur - Geneina handicrafts, water sale, wheelbarowing, grass mats.
Livelihood Group: IDP in rural areas Goals: income generation, supplement food basket,
education, medical fees, soap, clothes, adaptation to
urban life, to get grain ground, shelter

Processes
Assets / Liabilities Institutions
Policies

Access Strategies Goals

Feedback

Daily labour Shagarnia (grass mats)

Assets: Assets: Grass – purchased from Arab women or
collected. Skills,
PIPS: Market, security, freedom to travel to PIPS: Market – shelter, transport for grass from
workplace, organisation of enterprises e.g. brick- Gorkar or Habilla Kanare, protection – taxation,
making enterprises, demand – construction needs, security and protection during collection and
cleaning, work by relief agencies loading, transport, truck owner pays protection to soldiers.
unloading
Impact of conflict: demand, power structures of Impact of conflict: lack of security, grass
employment, high levels of unskilled labour, depletion, lack of transport, market scarcity –
creates concentrated demand in towns, changed
circumstances disempowers people who can no
longer practice their own livelihood and have to
adapt. Need for protection money.

What is good and we need more of it?

- Acted cash-for-work road • Builds infrastructure, improves markets
construction • Cash means people can achieve their own livelihood
goals
• Social benefits as different rural communities work
together on labour intensive projects
• Could be used for other infrastructure
- bread-making - Demand exists so the work is effective
What needs to be done differently?
- More analysis on marketing – so livelihoods meet a real demand
- Sustainable resource management
- assess resource use (e.g. Oxfam study on water use in camps)
- reduce resource use where possible and replace / renew the resource

54
 - Social impact assessments – Hafirs badly sited could contribute to conflict rather than mitigate
it.
- Brickworks fill with water causing malaria, bilharzia and death by drowning – so community
environmental management plans should be implemented – CEMPS
- Promote alternative building technology to reduce resource use – UN-HABITAT coordinating
ENTEC agenda
What is innovative?
- Community relationship building cash for work programmes by ACTED
What innovation is needed? Where are the gaps?
- CEMPS – Community environmental management plans to address local environmental
issues in camps.
- Engage youth in camps – 18 – 25 yr olds
- Education in camps, especially women

55
West Darfur Livelihood Group 4: IDPs in rural areas

Location: West Darfur (not including Zalingei corridor)

These are the IDPs living in the same areas as the resident farmers. They may have
some access to land to land and greater livelihood options than IDPs in town.
Examples of these groups are the one living in areas along Wadi Azoum such as Um
Shalaiya.

Processes
Institutions Strategies Goals
Assets / Liabilities
Policies

Access

Feedback Loop

Assets PIPs Strategies Goals

• Security Farming; subsistence cultivation which Basic survival and coping
• Knowledge/Educatio includes rain fed and irrigated mechanisms
n agriculture. Income generation and
• Access to Small-scale livestock rearubg diversification
land/natural Natural Resource Collection; wild food, Limitations of local
resources wood for construction, markets
• Access to markets, firewood/Charcoal, grasses. Lack of opportunities and
financial services, Petty trade skills
transportation Humanitarian support; food aid and non Sending children to school-
• Technical assistance food items for own consumption and sale build for future
Income Generation Activities; mats and
shoe making.
Daily or casual labor
Migration; Seasonal + permanent

How conflict has impacted on this group:

• Destruction/losses of assets
• Limited or no access to land + other resources
• Physical safety + health risks or engaging in certain economic activities, i.e. travel, trade
• Focus on basic survival + coping mechanism undermines more lucrative or sustainable activities
• Loss of social status support networks, socio-psychological impact B Intra-household social +
economic
• Loss of social + other services by distracted or neglected govit. institutions
• Uncertainty (of security. PIP’s) shifts household economic calculus/ decision- making, i.e.
investment
• Loss of access to markets, crop/livestock destruction due to rising tribal/ ethnic tensions
• Grass bed depleted.
• Need to pay for their protection.
• Adaptation to the situation need new skills

Strategic Directions and Action Plan

56
1. Information sharing between organizations (lessons learned, successes and failures):
• Comprehensive needs based assessments
• Monitoring and evaluation (impact analysis)
• Information/ sensitization campaigns at community level
• Local capacity development

2. While still addressing asset accumulation, also focus more on PIPs (impact livelihoods e.g
community peace making
• Inter agency coordination (duplication and over lap and competition)
• Build organization capacity to conduct assessment and analysis
• Promote community ownership of programs and activities

3. Apply the livelihoods frame work as a guide

• Willingness to be flexile and try new programs
• Actively link beneficiaries to markets and other natural
• Move from emergency to recovery and livelihoods
• Community financial training
• Coaching and constant learning training.

57
 ANNEX 5 SOUTH DARFUR – Nyala Workshop
LIVELIHOOD GROUPS

1. PASTORALISTS: principally dependent on livestock, although some may be

engaged in some cultivation Includes both camel herders who are semi-nomadic and
baggara (cattle herders) who are more settled.

2. RESIDENT FARMERS still living in their original communities This group is

present in many different areas of South Darfur (both government-held and rebel-held
areas) and is affected by the conflict to differing degrees in different areas

3. IDPS IN AND AROUND TOWNS Most are living in large camps around Nyala.
Livelihood options are limited and many are related to the urban economy

4. IDPS IN RURAL AREAS usually living in the same area as resident farmers,
often with some access to land and greater livelihood options that IDPs in town

5. THOSE RECENTLY DISPLACED BY TRIBAL CONFLICT. This group has

mostly been displaced in 2006 and 2007 as a result of conflict between different Arab
tribes. Living in rural areas, hosted by relatives and others. Many are receiving little
international humanitarian assistance

6. Other identified groups not discussed: Organised armed groups eg militias and
bandits

Notes on the tribal geography of South Darfur

The Fur Makdumiya (kingdom) extends from the Jebel Marra area in North Darfur
southwards, and covers Kass, Nyala and Shearia – the northern section of south Darfur. The
Baggara (cattle herders) cover the central belt running from east to west, the northern part of
which is farmland, and include the Southern Rizeigat (Ed Daein locality); Habbaniya (Burum
locality); Fellata (inhabitants of Tulus); Ma’aliya (Adila locality); Turjum who share the land
with the Fur in Bulbul west of Nyala (Fur Makdumiya of Nyala). Although these tribes
represent the majority in the areas inhabited by them, they co-exist with other tribes e.g.
Zaghawa have a large presence in Adila locality. Farmers are increasingly common in the
southern part of the Baggara belt which borders the forest area/swamp in the southern part of
south Darfur.

The northeren Rizeigat traditionally practice a nomadic lifestyle moving north to south and
vice versa, although during the fighting with Turjam they moved their livestock to the foot of
Jebel Marra.

Details of recent tribal fighting in South Darfur are given under livelihoods group 5.

58
Figure 1 1928 Tribal Map of South Darfur showing the tribal homelands

59
South Darfur Livelihood Group 1: Pastoralists

Location: South Darfur

In South Darfur there are two main groups of pastoralists; camel herders (Abbala) and cattle herders
(Baggara). The Baggara also cultivate. About 30% of 6 primary nomadic tribes (Taisha, Beni Halba,
Fallata, Hebaniya, Rizeigat, Maaliya) are true nomads, living in temporary fariqs and constantly on the
move. Forty years ago more than 70% practiced a nomadic lifestyle

Processes
Assets / Liabilities Institutions Strategies Goals
Policies

Access

Feedback Loop

Assets PIPs Strategies Goals

Financial Security Abbala groups • Livestock herding and
Cash Natural resource • Camel herding & migration is a goal of
Livestock management trade pastoralists, who aim
Human Darfur Peace Agreement • Sheep and goats to increase herd size
Division of family according to Institutions
labour demands Markets • Remittances • Political
Pastoral, veterinary skills Water policies • Handcrafts (women) representation
Skills in processing animal Migratory routes • Militia & banditry • Education
products Tribal administration/ • Small cultivation • Social status and
Social Hageed Baggara groups respect
Social relations between pastoral Social relations
• Cattle herding & trade • Security
and non pastoral groups Basic services – health,
Functioning traditional education etc. • Livestock products • Protect herd and
leadership • Handicarfts (women) people
Physical • Land for settlements
Protection – weapons & some cultivation
Water infrastructure – hafirs,
damns
Natural
Access to water, pasture

How conflict has impacted on this group:

Assets:
• Pressure on natural resources as a result of restricted movements and blocked migratory routes;
over-grazing; epidemics and endemics
• Prejudices against pastoralists and perceived links with Jinjaweed.

PIPs:
Processes
• Fall in livestock prices as supply has outstripped demand
Institutions

60
• Politicization of native/ tribal administration (division of loyalities – previously commitments were
to their people, now allegiances are to the government or the rebels; manipulation by GOS playing
on fears of threatened livelihoods)
• Growing culture of weapons and militarization of youth through their military dress, increasing
arms, display of arms, promoted also by women in their songs (hakamat.
• The Commercial or private sector is reaching pastoralists through the provision of new livestock
species, pharmacies and market opportunities. There is also commercial water drilling.
• Marginalization from humanitarian assistance, which focuses on IDPs and residents.
• Breakdown of traditional conflict resolution processes and also local justice systems (no
forgiveness)
• Trade routes, and exchange relationships between farmers and pastoralists eroded if not destroyed
by displacement

Policies
• Exclusion from international peace processes

Livelihoods Programming
Examples of livelihoods programme inteventions
• Livestock vaccination and training of animal health workers
• Health care
• Agricultural inputs
• General food distribution
• Support of processing and trading of animal products
• Rehabilitation of water yards
• Water, sanitation and hygiene
• Mobile veterinary clinics (technical guidance)
• Migratory routes – support for secure stopover areas with services, and efforts to demarcate routes.
• Support of community based womens groups, handicraft activities
• The private sector has supported slaughter houses, new breeds of dairy cattle, pharmacies and
veterinary clinics.

Do more of, to enhance positive impacts

• Strengthen and expand the range of INGO activites which are currently quite limited, particularly
training of community based animal health workers, and provision of drugs.
• The GOS currently recognizes pastoralists as an important group (e.g. throught he Nomad
Commission) but this needs to be depoliticized, more rooted in community based approaches, and
less top-down.
• In order to facillitate grassroots dialogue more support is needed of complementary interventions
to improve access and acceptance between communities e.g. local markets provide economic
incentives for collaboration. (examples in Kass, Tiwal)
• Acknowledge and facilitate the positive aspects of private sector engagement with pastoralists
(marketing, new species, pharmacies (improve availability of drugs) water.

Do differently, to mitigate negative effects

• Mitigation of the negative effects of the Darfur conflict on pastoralists livelihoods e.g. provision of
veterinary services where diseases have increased as a result of restricted mobility, support of
marketing, food processing.
• Land use mapping, including analysing the land carrying capacity in relation to livestock needs for
water and pasture.

61
Gaps and opportunities
• Develop an overarching understanding of the humanitarian needs of pastoralists and pastoralism,
based on an understanding of the impact of conflict on livelihoods (using the livelihoods
conceptual framework). This should be participatory and community based.
• The needs of pastoralists should be more clearly analysed and responded to, e.g.through the
UNOCHA pastorlists working group. This group should identify and address humanitarian needs,
link up and feed into other coordination bodies and network with regional and national pastoralist
initiatives.
• Facillitate local dialogue with neighbouring groups wherever possible.
• Improve access to cash through IGAs and access to local microfinance services.
• Improved vocational training e.g. in relation to food processing.
• Support mobile primary schools, and secondary boarding schools intended for more mobile
pastoralists.
• Improve understanding of customary law as it affects pastoralists.

Notes on pastoralists from south Darfur

Government demarcation of livestock routes for the Baggara (not Abbala)

These are problematic as the GoS is not generally trusted. Also the IDPs fear that these routes will
cross their land and that they are not being consulted. In the Nyala area there is conflict between the
agricultural schemes and the livestock migration routes. The routes are not being used in the Id el
Fursan area as pastoralists continue to use the old routes.

Camel migrations require extremely wide migration routes, of up to 30 km wide, whereas the
demarcated routes tend to be 500 km, but they are narrower when they approach villages and widen in
other more open areas. They therefore do not respect the newly demarcated routes

62
South Darfur Livelihood Group 2: Resident Farmers

Location: South Darfur, Nyala workshop

These groups live in their original community, and still able to cultivate and pursue some of their
former livelihoods strategies, although constrained. These groups are present in many different areas of
South Darfur (both government-held and rebel held areas), affected by the conflict to different degrees.

Processes
Institutions Strategies Goals
Assets / Liabilities
Policies

Access

Feedback Loop

Assets PIPs Strategies Goals

• Farming; Rain fed and To generate income to secure
Irrigated Agriculture household needs such as
food, weapons to protect
• Livestock rearing;
themselves and their assets.
Small ruminants Survival strategies
• Natural Resource
Collection; Fishing,
Wood for construction,
Fire, wood/Charocal,
Grasess (animal feed,
mats, shelter, Gum
Arabic, Wild Foods,
Hunting, Honey
• Trade; Small trade
(Omdawarwar)
• Food Aid; Own
consumption and sale
• Others; Income
generation such as
mats and shoe making,
Daily labor, Brick
making, Black smith

How conflict has impacted on this group:

• Decrease in the area of land cultivated due to insecurity and lack of access to inputs
• Disruption of regular markets and de/increased prices supply/demand.
• Lack/limited agriculture/livestock services due to insecurity and limited access
• reduced capacities of relevant governmental institutions.
• Break down of the social mechanisms for reconciliation and resolution of disputes especially
between farming and livestock raising.
• Decreased livestock holdings due to distress selling and looting.
• Population pressures on limited land resulted in decreased land fertility in those areas
• Social relations and marriage between different groups negatively affected.
• Disrupted relation and communication between the farmers and the institutions they represent
(farmers union).
• Regeneration of vegetation due to limited human access and use is intense.

63
Humanitarian Livelihoods Programming
Intervention Focus of the Intervention Remarks
Asset PIPs
Hunger gap coverage * * • Interventions are focused more on the
Seeds Protection * assets than the PIPs.
Food distribution * • Good coordination and collaboration
Seeds and tools * on food distribution.
Seedlings, * • Poor coordination on seed
Chicken distribution * distribution.
(IGA) • Assessments need to be focused on
Water bore hole * the impact e.g. the seeds distribution.
Education * • No shared/Week understanding of
Agricultural In put * livelihoods and information.
Health Intervention (HPH) * • Need to include natural resource
Protection (ICRC) * * management as part of interventions
Family integration * e.g pasture and range.
Farmers training * • Community participation needs to be
strengthened.
• Need to understand impact of
interventions e.g food aid on the market

Do more of, to enhance positive impacts

• In depth and regular assessments/analysis
• Community based approaches
• Advocacy for livelihoods

Do differently, to mitigate negative effects

• Link the assets interventions with the PIPs analysis/interventions
• Shared understanding of livelihoods among the actors.
• Establish coordination and collaboration among actors.
• Undertake more focus on natural resource management.

Gaps
• Impact of interventions on markets.
• The dependency notion.

Future strategic directions for livelihoods programming and action plan

1. Natural Resource Management
• Encourage reforestation and forest management MoA, NGOs, FAO, and Community
• Encourage energy saving stoves.
• Alternative pest control (birds) MoA, INGOs, Communities
• Advocate mapping of resource use/carrying capacities. ARC, FAO, UNEP, MoA, MoF
• Anti logging campaign ARC, FAO, UNEP, MoA, MoF
• Monitoring Environmental changes. ARC, Agric Research Corporation, FAO, UNEP, MoA

2. Coordination and Collaboration

• Expand current food security and livelihoods Forum of FAO to accommodate more livelihoods
actors. This should be lead by OCHA, FAO, WFP, UNDP.
• Ensure better use of information collected and analysis- for policies and programs. FAO, OCHA,
UNDP.
• Annual plan for information collection and analysis agreed by all actors and define what, where,
when, and how. FAO working group, OCHA, and UNDP.

3. Capacity building of the Food Security and Livelihoods Forum to promote a shared
understanding of livelihoods. This should be done by external body.

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South Darfur Livelihood Group 3: IDPs in & around town

Location: South Darfur (Nyala Workshop)

Most are living in large camps around Nyala. Livelihood options are limited and many are
related to the urban economy

Processes
Institutions
Assets / Liabilities
Policies

Access Strategies Goals

Feedback

Assets PIPs Strategies Goals

• Skills suitable for • The provision of Casual labour: To earn cash for:
urban labour markets basic services • Construction • Meeting
• Capital to start • Security • Brick-making supplementary food
businesses • Buoyant labour • Domestic work needs
• Donkeys for market • NGO employment • Grinding
transport • Access to natural Petty trading/ mkt • Clothes
• Land resources • Donkey/ horse carts • Firewood & access
• Natural resources (eg • Recognition of the • Tea-making fees
water, firewood) needs of the urban • Firewood/ grass • Transport
poor selling • Drugs
• Charcoal • School fees
• Recycling empty To build assets to start
food containers businesses
Relief commodities Saving (minority)
• Selling food aid and Living a more urban life
eg buying phones,
NFIs
entertainment
Other:
• Criminal acts
• Video clubs
• IGAs supported by
NGOs

65
How conflict has impacted on this group:
Assets:
• Generally, this group has lost almost all its assets in the process of displacement ie land,
livestock, homes and financial assets
• They have continued to suffer from a lack of capital
• Their social assets have been massively affected eg social capital has been disrupted as
different members of their original communities have gone to different IDP camps, and as
people have become more self-oriented rather than community-oriented. Power structures
have changed as new leaders have emerged in the camps and as youth and women have
become more organised into community groups. IDPs have also adapted their behaviour and
coping mechanisms to a more urban environment, for example sending girls and women out to
work
• Most of this group were originally farmers, but their agricultural skills are no longer utilised.
Instead they are having to learn new urban skills
• The pressure on natural resources around the camps which have become massive
concentrations of population, has seriously increased.
• Their political assets have changed related to the emergency of new leaders and development
of leadership skills
PIPs:
Processes:
• Significantly, this whole group of IDPs has changed from being producers to becoming
consumers
• Limited natural resources around IDP camps means that there has been serious environmental
degradation, in turn forcing IDPs to travel further to get firewood, in turn exposing them to
increased insecurity and harassment
• There is also rising tension between IDPs and the host urban population as they compete for
resources and for employment
Institutions:
• Markets have become flooded with food aid and NFIs causing prices to fall so that IDPs have
to sell larger quantities to earn cash
• There has also been a collapse in trade in local grain as this group is no longer producing
• Health services and health and hygiene awareness has generally improved for this group as a
result of the provision of basic services
Policies:
• Government has shown poor commitment to the needs and welfare of this group through their
policies
• Instead, IDPs have become very dependent on the policies and principles governing the
provision of international humanitarian assistance

Livelihoods programming

Impacting on assets
• Skills training eg handicrafts, knitting, sewing, food processing
• The provision of capital
• Provision of fuel-efficient stoves
• Provision of poultry
• Grinding mills
• Seeds, tools and pumps for group farms
• Tools for carpentry and blacksmithing
• Restocking donkeys
• Restocking goats for household milk consumption

66
 • Donkey carts & wheel barrows
• NGO employment
• Distribution of food aid and NFIs
Impacting on PIPs
• Provision of vet services
• Educational and vocational training eg literacy, welding, life skills etc
• Protection through firewood patrols and provision of raw materials for handicrafts (so IDPs do
not have to travel far out of camps)

Do more of, to build on positive impacts

• Continued provision of relief to meet basic needs
• Increased skills training to help IDPs develop appropriate skills for the urban labour market
• Increased provision of revolving funds as a source of capital to IDPs to start up businesses
• Continued work to strengthen community organisation, with a special focus on youth who are
a potential source of conflict in the camps eg train them in conflict resolution

Do differently, to avoid/ mitigate negative impacts

• Provide more support to the urban poor in Nyala, to help mitigate their movement into IDP
camps to access services
• Greater investment in measures to support and protect the environment eg:
o Woodlots and reafforestation to replenish natural resources
o Exploring the provision of alternative fuels eg gas
o Encouraging greater environmental awareness amongst NGOs and environmental
impact assessment of their proposed interventions
o Working more closely with the host community and with the GOS to find ways of
protecting the environment
o Distribution of tree seedlings for planting in the camps, and training to IDPs

What should we be doing that’s new/ fills gaps?

• More investment in cash-for-work and other income generating activities to better meet IDP
needs for a cash income
• More support to group-based income generating activities eg group farming in or near the
camp
• More advocacy with the local authorities to encourage a relaxing of rules and regulations, eg
licences and taxes, which prevent IDPs from engaging in the urban economy
• More advocacy with donors to provide funding for livelihoods programming for IDPs
• Raising awareness of the Deng Guiding Principles and of humanitarian principles as they
apply to issues around return

67
Future strategic direction for livelihoods programming for IDPs in and around towns

The context
Basic services for IDPs are fairly well met by the international humanitarian community. Their greatest
need is for a higher and more reliable cash income. They face many constraints in developing their
livelihoods, including insecurity and a high dependence on the urban economy. In many ways they are
living in an ‘open prison’.

Strategic implications
• The provision of basic services to IDPs, including food aid, has to continue. But it must be
accompanied by a greater emphasis on how to increase the cash income of IDPs.
• There needs to be ongoing provision of capital and skills to IDPs so that they are better able to
engage in the urban economy
• IDPs should be strongly involved in decision-making and in management of all livelihoods
programming.
• There also need to be better needs assessments and sharpened planning of interventions to ensure
impartiality and viable programming
• More attention must also be paid to the PIPs which constrain IDPs’ livelihood options, which in
turn means doing more advocacy, both with local authorities and with donors as explained in ‘what
should be doing that’s new’ above.
• International humanitarian agencies also need to engage more with local institutions in their work
with IDPs, not least to build IDP relationships with such local institutions.
• Much greater attention needs to be paid to the issue of environmental degradation and therefore to
promoting sustainable resource management. Ideas for doing so are presented in the section on ‘do
differently’ above.
• Although we are still in the midst of a humanitarian crisis (ie there is not yet a successful political
peace agreement so recovery is not yet feasible), the issue of return has already started to be
discussed. The starting point has to be the Deng Guiding Principles on IDPs which implies IDPs
have a choice about whether to return, when and where. These should guide any discussions and
interventions around return. Humanitarian agencies need to deepen their understanding and
analysis of the different interests around return. Where spontaneous return is happening, they need
to monitor and be aware of it, and support it on a case by case basis.

Action plan
• A livelihoods forum to be established to promote continued use of the livelihoods conceptual
framework, and strategic analysis and programming for livelihoods support. Action: OCHA,
FAOor UNDP to lead
• An inter-agency livelihoods assessment to be carried out in IDP camps around Nyala.
• Greater attention to be paid to sustainable resource management in and around urban areas. Action:
this is the responsibility of all operational agencies working with IDPs. It needs to be supported by
UNEP which may be able to mobilise the strong resources and expertise on sustainable resource
management that exists within Darfur
• High-level advocacy with local authorities to be carried out, to ease the barriers IDPs face in
engaging with the urban economy. Action: OCHA, UNDP
• Advocacy with donors to ensure funding is available for livelihoods programming. Action: all
operational agencies, but especially UNDP in relation to the UN workplan

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South Darfur Livelihood Group 4: IDPs in rural areas

Location: South Darfur (Nyala Workshop)

These IDPs are usually living in the same area as resident farmers, often with some access to land
and greater livelihood options that IDPs in town.

Processes
Institutions
Assets / Liabilities
Policies

Access Strategies Goals

Feedback

Assets PIPs Strategies Goals

Relationships with host Protection/ security, Collecting firewood Survival
community Credit / Climate change Charcoal making Basic needs
capital Skills Desertification Daily labour Income generation,
Natural resources – Population growth Petty trade Education
grasses wood etc, Failure of traditional Selling food aid Protection / security,
environmental Food aid Maintain skills / adapt
governance, Access to Brick-making
markets, Judiciary, GOS, Farming
local markets, urban Handicraft making
markets, rule of law, Selling water
permissions Illegal activities.
Roads & transport
Grinding mills

How conflict has impacted on this group

• Population moves to camps and towns: Environmental degradation, need for new skill sets to
adapt to urban life, oversupply of some skill sets & unskilled labour, labour wages decrease, loss
of social cohesion, loss of community knowledge, disease undermines human capacity
• Loss of access to land & asset stripping, poor security reduces movement, breakdown of
traditional leadership, environmental degradation, markets closed, skilled people migrate out – also
theydie or join armed groups, disease.
• Closure of the border: poor market access – commodity prices rise and availability decreases.
Remittances decrease.

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Livelihoods Programming

Examples of livelihoods programme inteventions

• Agriculture: vegetable gardens, seeds, tools, donkey distribution, vet services, carts
• Food distribution: - bartered/ sold for assets, education etc.
• Vocational skill training: carpentry, sewing, blacksmithing, welding, handicrafts, grass mats
(shagania), business training,
• Facilitation of artisans: Tools, raw materials, space to work, market access
• Cash interventions: Cash for work, cash grants, vouchers
• Asset provision: Grinding mills, sewing machines, NFI distribution, food processing machines
• Support to natural resources: Seedlings distributed, fuel efficient stoves, community nurseries.

Do more of, to enhance positive impacts

• Multi use assets that give flexibility to achieve individual goals: donkey distribution, cash
• Adaptable and sustainable assets – skills training
• Multipliers (allow benefits of other activities to be multiplied): grinding mills, business skills.

Do differently, to mitigate negative effects

• Undermining livelihoods – flooding the skill set, market etc
• Social tension, conflict
• Environmental degradation

What should we be doing that’s new/ fills gaps?

Strategic coordination, contextual analysis & assessment to feed into programme design on:
environmental impact, conflict impact, market analysis, protection & social cohesion

Future strategic directions for livelihoods programming

Shared Conceptual Understanding Coordination
1. Coordinated contextual analysis 6 monthly strategy
• Within organisations meetings OCHA /
• Between organisations Working groups
2. Informed by the community
• Shared analysis
• National staff have higher profile
• CBOs & Civil society input
3. Embed frameworks in project design – livelihoods and SRM Internal advocacy
needed – also with
• Log frames, indicators, action plans. donors and UN
4. Embed following in project design Internal advocacy
• Assessment of negative impacts needed – also with
• Avoid and mitigate negative impacts donors and UN
• Provide enhancement to these areas where possible
Strategic Coordination And Leadership
5. Aware of what each other is doing
• Multipliers (enhancing benefits of other programmes) and synergy Interagency strategic
• Avoid undermining each other’s work coordination, 6
monthly meetings
6. Strategic leadership and coordination Work-plan structure
• Current practice includes little or no feedback from context-
informed strategic objectives into project design (other than generic
standards). This feedback is needed – projects need to respond to
strategic objectives.
7. Coordinated advocacy on livelihoods & SRM
• Advocacy to – grass roots, donors, UN, government, parties of
conflict, international actors
• Common messages needed

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Ways Of Working
8. Capacity built for shared conceptual, contextual analysis & project
coordination
• Guidance notes and training materials needed
9. Capacity for project design built – integration of:
• Livelihood framework
• Negative impact assessment
• Guidance notes and training materials needed

71
South Darfur Livelihood Group 5: Those recently displaced by tribal
conflict

Location: South Darfur (Nyala workshop)

This group includes specific groups that are both Arabs & non-Arabs, and both nomads and
agropastoralists. Many have not gone to official IDP camp areas, where assistance is more easily
available. Unable to return to their areas of origin, or in the case of the nomads, to their prior
transhumance patterns, they have tended to stay in rural areas hosted by relatives and others. As such
they have tended to be more marginalized by international aid efforts, particularly the nomadic groups.
The main tribes involved in tribal conflicts in South Darfur in 2006 – 2007 include:
• Southern Rizeigat versus Habbanyia in June 2006
• Mahalia versus Zaghawa (and southern Rizeigat?) ,north of Ed Daein town end of 2006 to Jan
2007
• Habanyia versus Fellata, (Nov/Dec 2006 to Jan/Feb 2007)
• Turjam versus Abbala (camel herders mainly northern Rizeigat; Mahamid - Um jallol etc.) still on-
going.

Processes
Institutions Strategies Goals
Assets / Liabilities
Policies

Access

Feedback Loop

Assets PIPs Strategies Goals

Financial Institutions Nomadic groups (Fellata, Habaniya, • Protect livestock by
Cash • Markets Rizeigat, Ta’aisha, Bani Halba, Salamat) moving them to safer
• Veterinary services around Ed Daein, Buram & Bulbul, E.Jebel areas, buying weapons
Physical • Migratory route Mara, Ed el Fursan, Rehade el Berdi and
to protect themselves
Seeds, tools, agreements enforced by Netaiga)
livestock Many not moved to camps and instead • -Maintain the value of
tribal authorities
• Social support services of moved livestock to safer areas, particularly their livestock (by
Human the GoS the Aballa. Having lost access to traditional protecting them and not
Labour grazing areas along migratory routes has engaging in forced
Policies confined their grazing to smaller areas. selling at low prices)
Social Restocking Because they move albeit shorter distances • Maintaining their
Social and are not camp or village based, these current livelihoods,
networks Processes groups are receiving little or no assistance
To meet their needs they sell some of their
falling back on their
Security traditional skills
Natural Access to markets livestock, but prices have been greatly
Rain, fertile Unimpeded access to impacted by the conflict (see below) • Providing food
land, water, migratory routes -Other strategies include firewood and grass • Seeking assistance for
grazing collection, and charcoal production to sell survival
pasture, wild -Collection of wild foods • Generating income to
foods purchase HH needs,
Agropastoralists (include the Zaghawa,
Maasalit, Turjam, Gimr, Ma’alia, Bazaa,)
weapons to protect their
-Some have lost everything and moved to access in order to
camps or big villages in search of assistance preserve their assets and
- Others have joined families who support livelihood strategy

72
 them. Others who still have livestock and
can access land for farming have continued
their former livelihood as best they can, but
there have been no markets to sell to
The Zaghawa in particular have tended not
to move to camps.
Daily labour breaking stones, making lime,
agricultural labour

How conflict has impacted on this group:

• Traditional livelihoods have ceased; for example:
• The Aballa have been forced to sell camels which is unusual, prices are fluctuating according
to supply and demand
• Nomads are selling livestock to reduce risk and to generate income to buy arms to protect
themselves. Some are trying to hold on to livestock as long as possible because of the
foundational wealth this represents
• Loss of lands and livestock has severely reduced or eliminated agricultural production for
these IDPs
• Nomads have lost access to traditional grazing lands, and there is no grazing by the
Agropastoralists because of limited/no access to land
• Some migratory routes are blocked forcing herders to shift to other livestock routes which has
created further conflicts
• Increased concentration of animals increases chance of disease which has increased demand
for limited supply of drugs causing drug price increases
• Overgrazing creates pressure on natural resources which increases environmental degradation
• Loss of market access to farmers for buying food have resulted in some resorting to banditry

• Some have half their family in camps and half seasonally moving to farm
• Traditional systems of reciprocity and hospitality are overstretched and unable to support the more
vulnerable eg. widows, aged, orphans,
• Women headed HH fall into two categories:
• Those with access to land & livestock from their husbands which they can take
over and work on together with her own family relatives
• -Those with nothing who are forced to work as daily labour in the camps
• More widows and orphans has placed pressure on weak GoS services

Livelihoods Programming
Examples of livelihoods programme inteventions
In response to nomads needs agencies have provided NFIs, veterinary services including CAHW
training, some range seed broadcasting, water supply and the GoS has engaged in reconciliations. In
support of the Agropastoralists, response has included seeds and tools, NFIs, water supply, food
distribution for seed protection and also reconciliation conferences (GoS).

What to do More Of What to do Differently What to do New

Better understanding of people’s Water resource management Alternative water harvesting
livelihoods through in-depth activities
assessments
Recognize that water use is More use of appropriate Broadening understanding of the
multi-purpose technologies water sector
Range land improvement Recognizing environmental Addressing environmental issues
implications of seeds, water, etc (high yielding seeds, tree planting,
etc)
Access to basic social services Deeper understanding of land Support local co-existence
(educ, health, etc) issues initiatives
Local initiatives for Understanding of drivers of the Develop a more strategic focus to

73
 reconciliation conflict (+ and – impacts) and the coordination mechanism
reconciliation (strategic goal, cross-sectoral
linkages, inclusive to local
institutions)
More understanding of assets as Change donors’ expectations
liabilities through a communication strategy
Promote dialogue with the GoS Improving linkages between local
and others on free access of goods and regional institutions, (local
and services influencing PIPs)
Promoting awareness and
developing alternative opportunities
for youth and women

Future strategic directions for livelihoods programming and an action plan

1. Promote the livelihood conceptual framework as a tool for sector integration (OCHA)
• Develop a strategy beyond the two sector reviews to do this

2. Understand the GoS Resettlement Plans, their implications to livelihood related issues
including the PIPs (OCHA & UNMIS/Civil Affairs)
• Need to understand content of plans, what’s been said and planned, what the status of their
advancement, what the implications are.
• Need to inform agencies
• Undertake advocacy where needed

3. Develop a shared understanding of land issues, conflict drivers and reconciliation, the
historical context, assets as liabilities, livelihoods, environmental implications, impacts of PIPs for
programming, and ensuring the inclusion of local resources
-Apply the 3 basic steps of environmental assessment, identification of negative impacts, and
mitigation.

4. Develop more strategic coordination around WRM, NRM, Agric inputs, alternative
technologies, environmental issues, and considering PIPs in all these.

5. Promote development of regional and sector strategies linking the local and regional
levels

6. Empowering local level institutions including youth and women. Increase their involvement
in community initiatives and promote alternative opportunities

Use two sector reviews (water and food security) to pilot the integration of many of the above key
activities into a sector strategy so as to advance these ideas at a practical operational level and at a
coordination level.
1. Feedback by OCHA to the water and food security working group meetings
2. A “like-minded” small group of agencies meets to define the strategic shift and raise/promote
common understanding of related issues to livelihoods using the livelihoods conceptual framework
(LCP)
3. Identify locally available resources including institutions, key resource persons, etc to inform on
key issues relevant to the strategic shift to deepen understanding
4. Develop agreed-upon milestones:
-water resource management
-natural resource management
-agricultural inputs
-alternative technologies
-environmental issues
5. Promote cross-sectoral coordination
6. Secure buy-in at all levels (sector, regional, national, etc)

74
7. Eventually the above steps would culminate in the development of sector strategies that address
livelihoods, protection and the environment in a more integrated approach

75
 ANNEX 6 ZALINGEI CORRIDOR - WEST DARFUR
LIVELIHOOD GROUPS

1. PASTORALISTS-The camel herders, or Abbala, include the Northern Rizeigat

groups. They are traditionally transhumant pastoralists, but the long distant livestock
migration routes are now restricted.

2. AGROPASTORALISTS Historically agro-pastoralists depended principally on

raising livestock, but during the past 30 years increasing numbers have begun to
cultivate. Settled Baggara groups, who raise livestock and also cultivate. Their
dominant strategy is cattle rearing and the movement of their cattle is limited, some
by choice and others because of constraints. These groups include the Turjum,
Salamat, Beni Halba for example.

3. RESIDENT FARMERS still living in their original communities In western Jebel

Mara and Rokoro people are living in their original communities, under SLA control
and are farming. Elsewhere, farming is localised around the towns, as the main
agricultural areas have been abandoned. There is also some farming in Abata, Um
Shallaye, Urukum and Tireige.

4. IDPs IN AND AROUND TOWNS Most are living in large IDP camps around
Zalingei, Garsilla, Dillige, Bindisi). This also includes the Hottiya and other groups
that were displaced in 2006. Livelihood options are limited, and many are related to
the urban economy

5. Other identified groups not discussed: Organised armed groups eg militias and
bandits

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Zalingei corridor Livelihood Group 1: Pastoralists (the Abbala – camel
herders)

Location: Zalingei Corridor, West Darfur

The abbala group includes the Northern Rizeigat groups. They are traditionally involved in a long
distant movement that covers the area from the far north of Northern Darfur State to the Southern parts
of West Darfur. Currently their long distant migration is restricted. In Abata, a very few are cultivating.
In the Eastern side of Wadi Saleh and the Abata area of North Zalingei, the Abbala are living alongside
resident farmers, but the Abbala are in control, in that they receive crops from the farmers in return for
protection. This has been called an agreement, but essentially the farmers are living under duress i.e.
under coercion.

Processes
Institutions Strategies Goals
Assets / Liabilities
Policies

Access

Feedback Loop

Assets PIPs Strategies Goals

Animals Security Join the milita (salary) To buy cereals (food)
Good relationships with Livestock routes & other Looting To meet their basic needs
residents services such as Collection of forest To gain recognition/
Pastures veterinary services. products (fire woods, power/ authority
Water sources Markets woods for construction)
Handcrafts
Trade (small ruminants)
Livestock

How conflict has impacted on this groups livelihoods:

Assets and PIPs
• Assets destroyed
• Loss of animals
• Social fabric destroyed
• Loss of lives
• Restricted movement of livestock
• Reduced access to the market
• Relationship with the government is eroding.
• New livelihoods strategies emerging (cultivation)
• New settlement (Damra) emergings
• Pasture over garazing
• Shifts in attitudes and values

Livelihoods Programming
Examples of livelihoods programme inteventions
• UN agencies; Animal health; In-puts for nomadic education.
• GOS; Nomadic education up to class four; EPI
• NGOs; Agricultural in puts (solidarity); Vaccination and animal health (ICRC)
• The Private sector; Veterinary stores
• Herders Union and organizations; Animal health

77
Do more of, to enhance positive impacts
• EPI as an example of building human capital & expand to other areas of education
• Community animal health services & para-vet training

Do differently, to mitigate negative effects

• Community health service address a real need that could provide an entry point to engage nomads
and capture their interests & participation in development & dialog with others
• Asset intervention is to be combined with PIPs intervention to address the long standing
marginalization and neglect of the group.
• EPI as a basic for developing human capital to provide a smooth entry to target and engage women
and other vulnerable groups in the pastoral sector of the Abballa in the development efforts.

What should we be doing that’s new/ fills gaps?

• Sustainable natural resource management
» Fire lines, water harvesting.
» Range and pasture management.
» A forestation- social forestry
• Promote an understanding on issues affecting nomads’ livelihoods
» Research and regular assessments.
• Form Coordination forums national and international to promote, share and disseminate best
practices.

Strategic Directions and Action Plan

1. Coordination and leadership

• Establish Nomadic working group based in Zalengei led by FAO/OCHA
• Conduct needs assessment focusing on enhancing pastoral livelihoods (interagency).
• Establish community based organizations among pastoralists to facilitate awareness, dialogue and
participation by NGOs.
• Build capacities among stakeholders on livelihood approaches.

2. Natural Resource Management

• Research traditional NRM methods/practices (universities and NGOs, UN, JRMDP)
• Rehabilitation, promotion and protection of range and pasture, firelines and water harvesting by
FAO/SP, NGOs and GOs.
• Seeds pasture broadcasting fodder. Pilot action research/ early warning, universities, UNEP

3. Establish research and information system on pastoralism.

• Collect available data
• Establish data base/information sharing mechanism- FAO, Universities.
• Exploring alternative ways forward.

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Zalingei corridor Livelihood Group 2: Agropastoralists

Location: Zalingei Corridor, West Darfur

Historically agro-pastoralists depended principally on raising livestock, but during the past 30
years increasing numbers have begun to cultivate. Settled Baggara (cattle herding) groups,
who raise livestock and also cultivate. Their dominant strategy is cattle rearing and the
movement of their cattle is limited, some by choice and others because of constraints. These
groups include the Turjum, Salamat, Beni Halba for example.

Processes
Institutions Strategies Goals
Assets / Liabilities
Policies

Access

Feedback Loop

Assets PIPs Strategies Goals

Cattle, goats, sheep Vet services Pastoralism – cattle, Income generation (milk,
Seeds and tools Education, goats, sheep; meat etc);
Money Effective community Farming – rainfed, millet, Social status (large herds),
Social cohesion, trust governance - Telega, sorghum, groundnuts, Food security
relationships with other raising stick, rakuba, Trading – crops, milk Survival,
communities, agreements Feza, Nefir, guarantors, products, livestock Livestock products for
Water, Land, Pasture, Native administration own consumption; milk,
Guns, Peace & security fat, yoghurt
Murhal – access routes Conflict
through farm areas. Climate change, droughts,
floods
Population growth,
Settling of pastoralists to
become agro-pastoralists.

How conflict has impacted on this group

Assets
• Asset stripping –trees, stock, stores, water sources
• Loss of social cohesion (loss of trust, poor relationships with other groups leading to entrenched
conflict, hard to negotiate)
• Increased numbers of cattle by raiding / appropriation leading to more cattle disease and pressure
on natural resources.
PIPs:
• Markets down because of high purchase costs and low sales prices leading to a loss of income.
• Veterinary services reduced
• Native administration weakened and undermined:
• increases market costs as guarantor system is undermined,
• conflict resolution mechanisms weakened (Judiya, rakuba)
• environmental governance weakened leading to environmental degradation.

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Livelihoods Programming
Current livelihood interventions
Livelihood Positive impact Negative inpact Mitigation
interventions
Veterinary services *** Population and quality of Potential pressure on
herd rangeland
Agricultural inputs * Food security Conflict over land tenure, Assessment of context
potential loss of local including negative
strains, impacts
Food distribution*** Food security, nutrition, dependency Assessment
less conflict
Water supply *** Health, productivity, less Range, forestry depletion, Assessment of negative
conflict conflict over land impacts in project design
– design according to
findings
Range management ## SRM Land tenure, conflict risks Assessment of social
context.
Primary health ** Human assets, less
conflict
Peace building workshops Social assets, Institutions,
### processes, Policy
Health promotion * Water & sanitation related
health benefits
Microfinance / milling * Petty trade, assets,
markets, reduced
dependency
Skills to IDPs *# Human assets –
adaptation, useful post
conflict
NFI * Basic needs, shelter,
trade, less conflict
High level peace talks ### Security, reconciliation
governance
Stars * indicate importance in current context
Hashes # indicate importance for longer term processes

Do more of, to enhance positive impacts

• Vet services, food distribution,
• Engaging and working with agro-pastoralists promotes a perceived even handed approach in the
humanitarian community. This builds useful trust and relationships.
• Peace building workshops – these need to be integrated with the higher level peace building
process.
• Successful high level peace talks are crucial for the future of agropastoralism.

Do differently, to mitigate negative effects

• Better assessment of social context – e.g. through PCIA – peace and conflict impact assessment
from Pearson’s academy
• Environmental assessment in project design (assess, mitigate, enhance)

What should we be doing that’s new/ fills gaps?

• More understanding of agro-pastoralists culture, livelihoods, attitudes, customs and behaviour
(including gender perspectives).
• More social / conflict impact analysis needed – contextual understanding
• Education services for agro-pastoralists
• Poor or limited awareness of Sustainable Resource Management
• What are the appropriate governance structures for these groups in the future?
• Analysis of production, efficiency, carrying capacity and management of the livestock sector

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• Range management work

Future strategic directions for livelihoods programming

1. Better analysis & shared conceptual understanding
A. Develop a better analysis of livelihoods, in particular;
i. Culture, goals, strategy, attitudes
ii. Livestock census – practices
iii. Economics
iv. Education for agro-pastoralists
B. Improve contextual analysis (as part of livelihoods analysis)
i. Traditional governance institutions
ii. Markets
iii. Social / conflict analysis
C. To involve relevant stakeholders, including MOAR, MOA, universities, OCHA,
FAO, UNEP, community based organizations

2. Strategic coordination and leadership

A. Dialogue on multi sector and multi-livelihood analysis and objectives
• Livestock, agriculture, range and pasture, forestry, water
• Set strategy collectively then design programmes to work to this (not
uncoordinated programme design).
B. Promote awareness of importance of SRM in communities
C. Learn lessons from Burush etc.
D. Clear strategic plan for agro-pastoralist & agricultural sector
E. Capacity building for participatory strategic planning
F. To involve UN organizations (UNDP, FAO, UNEP OCHA) GoS (MOAR, MOA)
Civil Society, INGOs, universities and be reflected in the UN workplan.

3. Ways of working
A. Network for knowledge sharing
B. Improved contextual, livelihood and negative impact assessments integrated into
project design
C. Capacity building for project design
D. To involve universities, cpd, civil soc, working groups, INGOs, UNOCHA, FAO,
UNEP, universities, CBOS civil soc

81
Zalingei corridor Livelihood Group 3: Resident farmers

Location: Zalingei Corridor, West Darfur

In western Jebel Mara and Rokoro people are living in their original communities, under SLA control
and are farming. Elsewhere, farming is localised around the towns, as the main agricultural areas
have been abandoned. There is also some farming in Abata, Um Shallaye, Urukum and Traige.

Processes
Assets / Liabilities Institutions Strategies Goals
Policies

Access

Feedback Loop

Assets PIPs Strategies Goals

Financial Institutions Farming, both rainfed and Secure food
Funding Markets irrigated Secure income
Physical Ag extension services Collection of grass, Meet household needs
Seeds, tools, water -Veterinary services firewood, building including education,
pumps, pesticides, -Basic social services materials, wild foods, health, nutrition
fertilizers, transportation Taxation charcoal making (men & Housebuilding and repair
means, roads, storage, -GoS registration policy women), charcoal selling Social welfare
animal traction, fodder, for “farmers’ groups” (women) Skills development
seedlings Security Petty trading, particularly
Human -Market processes of vegetables, farm For the former farmers,
Labour, skills -land access products, farming changed from a
Natural -Restricted development Labour livelihoods strategy to a
Land, water sources, schemes havd resulted in Artisanal skills including cultural value, it has
common pastures, trees more labour outflows to blacksmiths, builders, become a goal in itself not
Social schemes in central Sudan potters, woodbased crafts, a means to a goal.
Nafir, farming groups, palm leaves hand crafts,
takafol leather crafts
Donkey Cart drivers
Employment whereby
some farmers are teachers
and farm
Seasonal labour migration
Remittances from
relatives
Beekeeping
Some of farmers have
livestock, like goats
and sheep (not more
than ten), a few
resident Baggara have
milking cows and sell
milk and animals

82
How conflict has impacted on this group

Assets Impact of the Conflict

Financial • There were four banks in the area before the
Funding conflict, while currently there are only two, The
Agricultural Bank of Sudan, in Zalingei and Garsila.
Financial services are therefore lacking.
• The village local merchant amd local lender,
displaced to the towns, so the traditional lending
system has diminished.
• JMRDP closed the main source of micro finance
support for farmers.
Physical • Some of seed varietes diminished (in Jebel Marra
Seeds, tools, water pumps, pesticides, fertilizers, areas where no food assistance) particularly
transportation means, roads, storage, animal traction, potatoes.
fodder, seedlings, • The agricultural inputs were available at the village
level before the conflict, while currently they are
only available at the locality level and prices exceed
the farmers financial capacity.
• Animal traction affected by looting of the farmers
animals (donkeys)
Human • Most of the clinics and schools in the villages are
Labour, skills, health not operating, the educated and young people
displaced.
Social • New leadership appeared or replaced the tribal
Nafir (collective work parties, members of the leader, Pro-government, popular defense, JJ leaders
community work together for the help of friend or become powerful leaders, than the sheikh of the
vulnerable persons), farming groups, takafol( charity village and other village leaders.
for vulnerable people of the community) • Women headed households increased.
Natural • Access to land, water, common pastures and trees
Land, water sources, common pastures, trees, decreased for security reasons; particularly those
furthest from villages
• Over population decreased the availability of natural
assets in some of the villages.
Processes, Institutions and Policies
• Informal agreements exist between Aballa and farmers for the Aballa to provide protection to
farmers to enable them to farm their land, but at a cost be it in-kind or cash (a form of taxation).
• Farmers pay transportation protection fees to Aballa when they are traveling to any where.
• Farmers see an opportunity to market a particular crop and over produce causing the prices to drop
• Taxation decreases income but increases the price of agricultural inputs. It also marginalises
farmers outside the urban perimeter to gain access to GoS provided farm inputs (limited anyway).
• Lack of local procurement for locally adapted seeds is resulting in poor production of some crops.
It is also not maintaining the local biodiversity
• Burning agricultural land is done to both protect farmland from the Aballa, and by the the GoS and
rebels to prevent ambush and keep farmers from their land. But it results in considerable
environmental degradation and jeapardizes next year’s crop.
• Labour outflows to central Sudan has provided employment and income that can be remitted back
to Darfur, but at the expense of Darfur’s development
• Insecurity has resulted in no new agricultural development schemes eg JMRDP, Western
Savannah Development projects, which has retarded this area’s development.
• The increased risk to women of moving beyond the village perimeter has resulted in very restricted
movement which affects many income generating and household tasks.
• Land use is constrained by limited access which leads to low productivity and reduced income and
food production. This is compounded by limited labour availability (due to migration).
• Soil nutrient depletion is resulting in land degradation
• Cutting of trees (usually by the Aballa) has greatly affected local beekeeping
• Out-migration of youth, the more educated and others, has had a social effect in increasing female
headed households and disrupting people’s education.

83
Livelihoods Programming

Examples of humanitarian livelihoods programme inteventions

A range of activities and projects have been pursued by agencies including:
• Provision of inputs (seeds, ploughs, seedlings, irrigation pumps, tools)
• Establishment of water sources (wells, handpumps, attendant training)
• Farmers extension training (soil conservation, crop rotation/husbandry, food preservation)
• Training of Community Based Animal Health Workers; animal vaccination and castration,
husbandry,
• Restocking goats and donkeys,
• Mobile clinics and pharmacy
• Vocational training (tailoring, school uniforms, carpentry, furniture) that also generates income
• Economic hh training of women (jam preservation, fruit drying, etc)
• School and community centre construction and rehabilitation,
• Food for seed,
• Adult literacy classes.

What to do More Of What to do Differently What to do New

Provision of Agric inputs (seeds, Longer term planning Expansion of local area seed
seedlings, ploughs) multiplication (JMRDP, FAO)
Assessment of gap geographic Ensuring proper care for seedling Local procurement of available seeds
areas eg Jebel Mara, Abata, establishment, transplanting and and improved seeds
Azum care for improved survival rate
Promoting forum for dialogue Consult farmers to determine the Reducing wood consumption through
tree seedlings they most desire introduction of alternative building
technologies
More tree nurseries and ensuring Use local nurseries and build on Linking tree nurseries to other
more trees planted local capacities for sustainability of community activities eg integrating
nurseries into the education system
Integrated programming within Cross-sectoral coordination and
INGOs and between them in the collaboration
same geographic areas
Integrating environment friendly
training into programming

Future strategic directions for livelihoods programming and action plan

1. Strategic coordination and collaboration for more integrated, longer term programming
(FAO with FS/L forum members)
A. More focus/dedicated discussion on key livelihood issues and strategic recommendations
and actions
B. Monitoring and coordinating livelihood assessments to gap areas
C. Briefing and orientation of FS/L forum on livelihood workshop outcomes and tools
D. Cross-sectoral integration/coordination through:
i. -internal organization discussions
ii. -discuss at inter-agency coordination meetings (UNCT, IAMG)
iii. -discuss between sectoral coordination forums

2. Integrating the environment into programming through raising awareness, -alternative

practice, training (NGOs and local institutions)
A. Apply 3 basic steps for assessing environmental risk for every project and integrate
environmental activities in response into all projects
B. Develop a list of activities that reduce environmental risk and can be integrated into
programmes
C. Strengthen environmental awareness:
i. -of our own organizational staff
ii. -of government Ministries

84
3. Strategic shift from “provisioning” to more local procurement and production focused on
seeds and tools, market analysis, local market resuscitation, rebuilding economic
relationships (FAO and partners-DRC, JMRDP, Solidarity, Mercycorps)
A. Good market analysis maximizing use of local experts from a livelihoods perspective,
particularly examining the PIPs
B. Using CBOs and farming committees to spread messages, a longer-term vision and
planning, and build their capacities to do so
C. Better “farmer driven” linkages with local university, ARC, JMRDP
D. Pilot above approaches in selected geographic areas based on security into/within an area,
access, existing linkages with the communities, etc

4. Promoting forums for dialoguefor community planning around strategic issues; using
local knowledge and building networks; and rebuilding relationships between groups.
A. Sharing approaches with the humanitarian community on dialogue promotion
forums/mechanisms. These must be participatory, community led forums)
B. Dialogue in forums must inform programming approaches resulting in concrete
responsive activities in order to maintain interest and commitment of the forum m

85
Zalingei corridor Livelihood Group 4: IDPs in large concentrations
around towns

Location: Zalingei Corridor, West Darfur

This includes IDPs in Zalingei, Garsilla, Dillige and Bindisi. The IDPs include a range of tribes,
including Arab groups (hottiya in Zalingei and Umm Dokhun) displaced in 2006. Livelihood options
are limited, and many are related to the urban economy.

Processes
Assets / Liabilities Institutions Strategies Goals
Policies

Access

Feedback Loop

Assets PIPs Strategies Goals

Restricted access to Security and safe access Small vegetable farming To meet survival needs
farmland to farmland Construction and brick- To control or maintain
Farming and vocational Functioning markets and making links with their original
skills regulation Petty trade; sales of land
Social networks Skills training firewood*, food aid and To reduce personal/
Donkeys other essential items in family risks
Some seeds and tools the camps Urbanized ways of living
from distributions Water selling from wells To meet increasing social
Full food aid ration around the wadi (youth) responsibilities (women)
Water & fuel for Firewood collection Access new skills (slab
brickmaking (Hottiya only) making)
Very limited amounts of Seasonal returns to own To preserve their dignity
cash and remittances farms (with protection and self-respect
payments) To acquire urban property
Hairdressing/ barbers – preferably in the town,
Remittances (small even after they return
number receiving)
Collecting gravel for
building
*IDP women buy firewood from Arab groups and then sell this wood inside the IDP camp

How conflict has impacted on this group:

Assets:
Lost financial income
Lost access to original farmland
Acquired some new skills
Breakdown of social cohesion
Increased social responsibilities for women gven the absence of sons and husbands. Much of the
livelihood burden has fallen to women.

PIPs:
Processes
• Insecurity and continuing hostilities
• Lost access to original farmland due to land occupation
• Damage to the environment caused by firewood collection.

86
Institutions
• Improved access to basic services
• Opportunities for urban casual labour employment
• Failure of markets; local and national
• Loss of confidence in the AU and Fur Sheikhs refused to allow the AU to accompany women
collecting firewood – no firewood patrols since.

Policies
• Following the Darfur Peace Accord the conflict became increasingly internalised within Darfur,
rather than between national and local interests.
• Government interference in tribal affairs

Livelihoods Programming

Examples of livelihoods programme interventions

• Vocational skills training & inputs
• Income generating activities (handcrafts*, tailoring, soap-making, food processing**/ cheese
making, fuel efficient stoves**, computer training, carpentry, pasta making, building skills,
welding, watch &mobile phone repairs, business management*, adult education*, language skills
– English, Arabic, french. * means this is preferred by group.
• Market construction through civil society
• Donkey distribution (Umm Dokhun only)
• Veterinary health services for donkeys
• Seeds and seedlings distribution
• Capacity building of social organizations (youth, women, committees and including leadership and
rule of law.
• Private enterprise: “watch club” ;video/ TV showing world cup news etc, that people pay to see;
electricity supplies to the camp

Do more of, to enhance positive impacts

• Skills training to develop human capital which does not compromise or affect the rights of others
to education, food aid, protection etc:
• Traditional handcrafts
• Food processing, including fruit
• Training through organize groups e.g. disability society
• Business management
• Alternative energy sources and production of improved stoves
• Women’s activities should not be stereotyped and rather be based on more market analysis
(demand and supply, sustainability). Support women engaged in petty trade with business
management skills.
• More effective coordination to share best practices
• Partnerships with Community based organizations

Do differently, to mitigate negative effects

• Consider the seasonality of the agricultural inputs, and focus on seeds for winter planting which
may be less sensitive than main season crops (which IDPs deny that they cultivate).
• Address the lack of natural resource management by supporting community environmental plans
based in IDP camps and monitoring impacts of humanitarian activities (with a view to mitigating
negative impacts).

87
• Currently fruit producers provide women petty traders with fruit to sell, butthen keep a large share
of the profit. Women therefore need access to capital loans/ credit so that they can purchase the
fruit outright.

What should we be doing that’s new/ fills gaps?

Specific recommendations:
• Recycling linked to garbage collection
• Metal work
• Poultry production
• Investigate alternative energy sources (solar, building materials and processes for
brick-making)
•
Future strategic directions for livelihoods programming and action plan

1. Improve understanding of the dynamics and analysis of livelihoods by all stakeholders on an

ongoing basis, based on the livelihoods conceptual framework. This should:
• Involve more participatory approaches to assessment, analysis and response.
• Aim to understand the existing and emerging power dynamics, including women and
youth.
• Mainstream gender and women’s perspectives.
This should also relate to a broadened agenda of the Food Security/ Livelihoods working group to
include the totality of people’s livelihoods (with a focus on assets and PIPs), protection and the
management of natural resources.
2. Capacity building for civil society organizations, rather than simply co-opting these groups to
implement certain activities. Prioritize capacity development of Programme Committee’s at camp
level (this activity should be coordinated at the highest level e.g. the Resident Coordinators
Office). Capacity development should include managerial skills and structures, administration and
finance, technical, report/ proposal writing, planning, advocacy, awareness raising, humanitarian
principles and code of conduct. Develop selection criteria with IDP representatives for prioritizing
which LNGOs and CBOs are chosen for capacity development
3. Take account of environmental impacts of humanitarian activities and mitigate negative effets.

88
 ANNEX 7 ENVIRONMENT IN DARFUR
The environment in Darfur is undergoing a process of change driven by changes in population, climate
and human activity. These environmental changes have been accelerated over about 40 years, and have
had significant links with changes in livelihoods and conflict. These processes of change are due to
carry on for coming decades so need to inform our livelihood programming. The data here are used in
Tearfund’s report “Darfur: relief in a vulnerable environment” (D:RIVE) and are from the references
given here.
http://www.tearfund.org/webdocs/website/Campaigning/Policy%20and%20research/Relief%20in%20a
%20vulnerable%20envirionment%20final.pdf

1. CONTEXT

Population
Table 1 Population growth in Darfur1
Year Population Density
People per km2

1956 1,080,000 3
1973 1,340,000 4
1983 3,500,000 10
1993 5,600,000 15
2003 6,480,000 18

Population densities are higher in the richer ground – such as wadis. This growth in population has
caused stress on farm and rangeland, so yields have dropped and carrying capacities have reduced. The
woodfuel defecit map on p16 of D:RIVE shows the balance of population demand with one form of
natural resources.

Governance
Traditional environmental management structures have been weakening over decades leading up to the
current conflict. Darfur has suffered from underinvestment in addressing the problems of population
growth and environmental degradation.

Conflict
The conflict has worsened problems of environmental degradation by
• causing concentrations in population and demand
• destruction of environmental assets and resources as a feature of violence
• destroying or at least severely damaging traditional environmental management systems, such
as long distance migration of cattle
• a short term “emergency” perspective on environmental management – the current crisis is
humanitarian but after four years is not rightly described as an emergency - if emergency
implies a lack of time for appropriate detailed analysis in planning our response...

Climate change
Climate change brings lower and more variable rainfall and shorter growing periods. This means an
increase in frequency of droughts and failed harvests.

1
Environmental Degradation as a Cause of Conflict in Darfur (Khartoum, December 2004) p35
www.steinergraphics.com/pdf/darfur_screen.pdf#search=%22environmental%20degradation%20source%20c
onflict%20darfur%22

89
Areas that are susceptible to the impacts of climate change are those that are:
• Marginal environments – such as the Sahel (low-lying floodplains, island states, polar regions
etc)
• Areas dependant on natural resources for livelihoods
• Areas with extensive poverty due to the inability to diversify and adapt

Darfur is susceptible to the impacts of climate change on these three factors.

Categories of adaptation to climate change2

• Technology transfer – water resource management, combating desertification agricultural
technology etc.
• Human capital: health and education to empower communities to respond to the new
environmental dynamics that they face.
• Physical capital: appropriate infrastructure, eg sand dams; appropriate land zoning etc.
• Social capital: security, environmental management; good governance; traditional and
• Kinship relationships that promote peace.
• Natural capital: shelter belts, protected forestry, well managed rangeland.

THREE STEPS TOWARDS INTEGRATING ENVIRONMENT IN

PROGRAMMING

Screen your programmes:

1. Identify the negative impacts on environment in this project?
2. How can these be avoided, reduced, or managed?
3. What environmental enhancement can be introduced to the project?

Sustainable resource management

Sustainable livelihoods are an unrealistic objective in a crisis so livelihoods need additional support –
this extra input may come from depleting natural resources – or from external support. Depleting

2
www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/media/999/76/

90
natural resources undermines livelihoods for others or yourselves either now or in the future – this
increases poverty and conflict.
On this basis external support is preferable to depletion of the environment. So sustainable resource
management is a priority for programming – paying for tree planting is more useful than purchasing
timber.
Sustainable resource management means:
• Using resources at the same rate (or slower) than they are being replaced.
• Using resources in a manner that doesn’t undermine their future availability.

This applies at project and at strategic programme level.

Some ideas for programmes:

• woodlots – cash for work – to provide for future energy needs. (Recommendation 2.2)
• alternative building technologies – so the brick industry uses less deforestation – D:RIVE p38-
39. Environmental Technology task force (ENTEC) (Recommendation 2.3)
• household water and wood use surveys, (see water resource survey by Tearfund)
• resource monitoring – how much deforestation has taken place – fund the replacement of
however many trees you use on your project. D:RIVE 2.4 (Recommendation 2.4)
• Project level environmental assessments and community environmental management plans
(CEMPS) D:RIVE p 34, 51-52 (Recommendation 1.4)

Analyse on the basis of the wider context

A comprehensive analysis of resource use, livelihoods and protection is needed – wood is used for sale
for brickmaking by IDPs in addition to use for fuel. So more work is needed than fuel efficient stoves
to address the issue of protection for wood collectors. As the Women’s commission points out: No
fuel-saving or improved cooking technologies introduced in Darfur will have a strong impact on the
number of women collecting firewood outside the camps ... unless such interventions are accompanied
by alternative income generation activities.3
So an integrated approach is needed to livelihoods, natural resource recovery and protection.

3
Women’s commission for Refugee women and children: Finding Trees in the desert:
Firewood collection and alternatives in Darfur March 2006
www.womenscommission.org/pdf/df_fuel.pdf p1.

91
 Change in length of growing period as a result of climate change4
2000 – 2020 2000 - 2050

4
Thornton PK, Jones PG, Owiyo TM, Kruska RL, Herrero M, Kristjanson P, Notenbaert A, Bekele N and
Omolo A, with contributions from Orindi V, Otiende B, Ochieng A, Bhadwal S, Anantram K, Nair S, Kumar V,
and Kulkar U (2006). Mapping Climate Vulnerability and Poverty in Africa. Report to the Department of
International Development, ILRI, PO Box 30709, Nairobi 00100, Kenya, p51, 48: www.napa-
pana.org/extranapa/UserFiles/File/Mapping_Vuln_Africa.pdf

92
 ANNEX 8 LIST OF PARTICIPANTS

Livelihoods Meetings El Fasher

June 30 – July 1, 8:30 am to 17:00
Participants El Fasher
# Organisation Name Position Contacts
5. UNICEF Leo Matunga Nutrition Officer [email protected]
6. UNICEF Taj Eldin Suliman Nut Surveillance [email protected]
Bashir Consultant
7. Plan Int’l Raphael Velasquez El Fasher Rep Raphael.velasquez@plan-
international.org
8. ACF Hanibal Abiy FS Coordinator [email protected]
sions-acf.org
9. ACF Phillippe Crahay FS Coord Darfur Foodsecco-
[email protected]
acf.org
10. IRC Mohammed Yahia Child Protect Mgr [email protected]
c.org
11. IRC Abdalla Adam Bashir Al Salaam Camp Mgr campmanagementnd@sud
an.theirc.org
12. IRC Rebecca Chandler Child Protection rebecca.chandler@theIRC
Capcty Bldg Mgr .org
13. IRC Cory Harvey Women’s Health [email protected]
14. Kebkabiya Khalil Wajan Exec. Director
Charitable
Society (KCS)
15. KCS Ali Douma Programme Coord.
16. Kutum Agric & Yassir Mohammed KAEDS Director [email protected]
Ext Dev Soc Adam
(KAEDS)
17. JRS Leslie Programme Mgr [email protected]
m
18. GAA Ibrahim Suliman Operational Manager [email protected]
19. OCHA Derk Segaar HLO [email protected]
20. OCHA Cedric Petit HLO [email protected]
21. OCHA Randa Hassan HLO [email protected]
22. OTI Jeanne Briggs Darfur Regional [email protected]
Head
23. UNDP Fumie Nakamura SGV & M&E Officer [email protected]
rg
24. FAO Mutassim Abdalla Livestock Officer [email protected]
25. Oxfam Jojo Sunil FS/Livelihoods [email protected]
Coordinator
26. Oxfam Hassan Yousif Eissa Livelihoods Manager HEissaMohamed@oxfam.
Mohamed org.uk
27. Oxfam Singe Day Regional Water [email protected]
Resource Mgr
28. Oxfam Umair Hasan Head of Office [email protected]
29. Oxfam Ahmed Maniese Water Consultant [email protected]
30. SUDO Mohamed Suliman Programme Officer [email protected].
uk
31. IOM Mahmoud
32. IOM Nouriko Oe Jr Protection Officer
33. WFP Ryan Anderson Prog. Officer [email protected]
34. WFP Mohammed Salih VAM Officer [email protected]
g
35. CHF Mohammed A/Majid Prog. Coordinator [email protected]
36. CHF Amira Abdul Livelihoods Coord [email protected]

93
 Rahman m
[email protected]
37. Ajaweed Samia Ibrahim Researcher [email protected]
Abdalla
38. UNMIS POC Cate Steains Protection Head [email protected]
39. Planning Dept, Mohammed Zakaria DG of Dept Mohamedharoun12@yah
MoP oo.com
40. Relief Int’l Jamila Karimova Health Coordinator [email protected]
41. AHA Mesfin Zeleke Programme Officer [email protected]
42. AHA Abdulkarim Adam Logistics Officer [email protected]

Resource Persons El Fasher

43. OCHA Farah Omer Humanitarian Officer [email protected]
0912177959
44. Oxfam Dr Adam Bushara Camp Coordinator 0911165227
45. Practical Action Mohamed Saddig Prog. Coordinator siddigm@itdg-
sudan.org
0912492291
46. FAO Bashir Abdel Agriculture Officer Ecu_elfashir@yahoo.
Rahman com

Facilitation & Logistics Team El Fasher

47. DAI Rania Eldeen Abdalla Grants Manager [email protected]
m
48. Univ of El El Hadi Musa Logistics Supervisor [email protected]
Fasher
49. DSI Hamza Omer Driver

GENEINA
# Organisation Name Position Contacts
1. World Relief Dr. Mesfin Ops Manager [email protected]
Abebe 0914108913
2. ACTED Benedict Moran Interim Area [email protected]
Coord
3. Islamic Relief Nermin Silajdzic Camp Nermin.Silajdzic@islamic-
Coordinator relief.org.sd
4. CONCERN Brent Potts ACD [email protected]
Programme
5. CONCERN Abdullah Area [email protected]
Ahmed Coordinator
6. WFP Mariko IM Coordinator [email protected]
Kawabata
7. WFP Ayii Akol Prog.Officer [email protected]
8. CRS Bill Schmitt Area Coord [email protected]
9. CRS Giballa Ahmed Ag Recovery [email protected]
TLeader
10 FAO Mtendere Area Coord [email protected]
Mphatso
11 FAO Abdulrahamn M Livestock [email protected]
Nour Officer
12 CDA Taj Banan Coordinator [email protected]
13 OCHA Mohamed Field [email protected]
Gimish Coordinator
14 Medair Rebekka Projects [email protected]
Meisner Coordinator
15 Medair Ivor Morgan Country [email protected]

94
 Director
16 Medair Judith Public Health [email protected]
Buitennuis
17 FAR Jackson Michael Acting Prog. [email protected]
Coord.
18 UNDP Betsy Lippman Livelihoods [email protected]
Consultant
19 UNHCR Jorunn Field Officer [email protected]
Brandvoll Protection
20 UNHCR Yahaya Adam Field Asst [email protected]
Protection
21 UNHCR Joyce Nduru Community [email protected]
Services Asst
22 UNHCR Mandy Owusu Prog. Officer [email protected]
23 Intersos Cesare Furmi Coordinator [email protected]
24 Save the Jackline Kaku Community [email protected]
Children Dev.Coord
25 Save the Rihab Ismail Coord. Dev. [email protected]
Children Officer
26 SRC Osman Ahmed Food Security [email protected]
Hussein Officer
27 MOA Khatir Ismael MoA Advisor

Resource Persons Geneina

28 OCHA Farrah Omer Humanitarian [email protected] 0912177959
Officer
29 WFP Abdal Rahman VAM Officer [email protected]
Norein 0912844285
30 FAO Mohamed El Project Officer [email protected]
Hafiz 0912396240
31 CRS Belihu Negesse FS Coord/HoO [email protected]

Facilitation & Logistics Team Geneina

32. DSI Noura Aldouma Logistics Supervisor

NYALA
# Organisation Name Position Contacts
1. ACF Hanibal Abiy FS Coordinator [email protected]
sions-acf.org
2. ACF Loreto Palmaera FS Officer S.D. [email protected]
ons-acf.org
3. ACF Jeff Berthier FS Officer N.D [email protected]
sions-acf.org
4. GFO Mohm El Tahir Prog Director Greatfamily_organisation
Asil @yahoo.com
5. OTI Jeanne Briggs Darfur Regional Head [email protected]
6. DFID Sam Grout-Smith Hum Prog Mgr S-Grout-
[email protected]
7. DFID Arvind Mungur [email protected]
8. OCHA Omer Sa’ad Field Officer [email protected]
0915074292
9. Rehiad El Ibrahim Abdalla Director 0912437333/ 0918093137
Hursan Ibrahim
10. IIRO Ibrahim Abdel [email protected]
Ghadir 0122471600
11. IOM Mohammed Elnour VMU Assistant [email protected]
0915524151

95
12. ZOA Okumu Nakitari Depty Prog Manager [email protected]
m

13. Cordaid Huda Abdulla [email protected]

m
0912510470
14. Oxfam Hussein Abdalla Protection Livelihoods [email protected]
Officer 0912438718
15. Oxfam Melinda Young Senior Prog Coord [email protected]
16. Oxfam St John Day Water Resources [email protected]
17. LSP (UNMIS) Rafal Mohammed [email protected]
0914575517
18. Tearfund Hafiz Bashaw Wat/San Environ dmt-
[email protected]
g
0912 161 948
19. Tearfund Habeeb Ali Food Security/
Abdelmajid Environment Officer
20. WVI Tom Mugabi OFDA Manager [email protected]
21. WVI Joyce Kago Ag and Natural [email protected]
Resource Utilization
22. Samaritan’s Erin Majesty Protection Officer
Purse
23. ARC Ismaiel Ishag Livelihoods
Ahmed Coordinator
24. UNDP Betsy Lippman Livelihoods [email protected]
m
25. Farmer’s Union
26. IRC Ahmed Abdalla Capacity Bld Manager [email protected]
rg
0912174340
27. IRC Hiba Ahmed Musa Youth Officer
28. IRC Abaker Adam CYP manager
29. WFP Diego Fernandez Programme unit [email protected]
g
30. ICRC Abdal Rahman
31. ICRC John Dikson
32. SECS Mohamed Bakery Head of Veterinary
Abdulwahab Research Center
33. SECS Abdulmoneam Agricltural Engineer, c/o [email protected]
Ahmed Ministry of Agriclture
Abdulrahman
34. U of Nyala Abubaker Adam Economic Dept
Tahir
35. Min of AG Abdelgadir Osman Planning Unit 0912437855
/SECS Ahamed
36. Min of Abdul Aziz Adam Forestry Dept
Agriculture
37. Min of Social Abdalla Adam Gen Dir of Ministry
Affairs Rahma
38. Min of Finanace Abdalla Mohamed Planning and 0122483746
Abdalla development unit
39. Univ of Nyala Dr. Abdel Rahman Range management 0912681882
40. Univ of Nyala Dr. Nagla Bashir Peace Centre Director [email protected]
0122586592
41. Oxfam Yagoub Osman Program Coordinator [email protected]
42. Univ of EFasher Dr. Abdal Jabar Professor, Fac Env & [email protected]
Nat Resources
43. WFP Malony Tong VAM [email protected]

96
 44. OCHA Idriss Yousif Field Officer [email protected]
45. UNDP Hussein Bagadi ROL Officer [email protected]
g
0912846121

ZALINGEI
# Organisation Name Position Contacts
1. OCHA Abdallah Eltelaib National Field Officer, [email protected]
Zalingei 0122587286
2. DRC Awatif Babaker Mapping/livelihoods
3. DRC Abubaker Galli Food Sec/livelihoods 0911249070
4. DRC Kartine Siig Mapping/social [email protected]
programs
5. Mercy Corps Essayas Tatek Livelihoods etatek@mercycorpsfiel
Coordinator d.org
6. Mercy Corps Mohammed Musa Program Coordinator 0915057749
7. FAO Abdalla Adam Ismail Head of Office [email protected]
om
0912396253
8. FAO Eisa Elnour Hassab [email protected]
o.uk
0912396711
9. UNIDO Maaike Cotterink Energy and mmcotterink@hotmail.
environment program com
0918714094
10. ECHO Mohammed Bakheit Program Coordinator Mohammed.bakheit@e
chosudan-nyala.org
11. JMRDP Mohamed Ahmed Research manager 0914512803
Ahmed Ibrahim
12. UNDP(RCO) Olivier Mukarji Olivier.mukarji@undp.
org
13. Agricultural Elhadi Abdel Coordinator
services Rahman
14. SUDO Zaynelabedeen Adam Ag Officer
15. Zalingei locality Suliman Ali Ahmed Acting commissioner
16. Min of Ag Elhadi Al Eldain West Darfur 0121037616
17. Forestry Unit Moatasim Forest Officer 0121447569
Mohammed Ali
Hamed
18. DAI Umelhassan Yousef Umelhasssan_yousef@
dai.com
0911135176
19. Peace Centre Abdelsalam Gumaa Acting Director Gumacentrepeace22@y
ahoo.com
0915153401
20. UNIFEM Mary Okumu [email protected]
m
21. NCA David Boyes Assistant Head of davidboyes@ncasudan.
Programmes org

22. Solidarites Florent Mehaule [email protected]

23. CARE Tom Maisiba Wat/San Coordinator [email protected]
m
24. USAID/OTI Nawal Hassan [email protected]
Osman
25. IRC Amar Abddurahman 0121586603
Abdallah

97
26. IRC Abdallah Adam 0911375424
Mohammed
27. IRC Mobark Omar [email protected]
Eldekhiry 0912881375
28. IRC Bashir Mohammed Bashirbrham12@yahoo
Ibrahim .com
29. PDNO Ali Ebrahim Abdalla 0911390956
30. UNMIS Saeed Hussein RRR Officer [email protected]
31. SSO Nyala Elfadel Mukhtar SSO Director [email protected]
0912165380
32. SSO El Fasher Jamal Ahmed SSO [email protected]
Khameis 0912165380
33. Ayya Fayez Hamid Coordinator 0122345308
34. NOCD Nyala A. Alsulig [email protected]
0120906545
35. Aid Hand Sala Aldeen Hassa [email protected]
m
36. Univ of Zal Dr. Yousif Ahmed 0121593214
Shrafeldin
37. Univ of Zal Elameen Elzenbeir Ag Engineer [email protected].
Jobartallah uk
0121308912
38. Univ of Zal Abuelgasim Abdalla Dean of Faculty of [email protected]
Adam Forestry m
39. Univ of Zal Heytham Elhag Ag Extension Unit Heitham18268847@ya
Mohammed Musa hoo.com
0122745368
40. Univ of Zal Izeldin Adam Izeldinbabiker959@yah
Babiker oo.com
0912917974

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