AHA launched its first mission in the Sudan in El Fasher, North Darfur State by reinforcing health centres and providing primary health care in the rural areas to an estimated 437,000 Sudanese refugees. AHA operation in the conflict and disaster hit localities of the North Darfur, supporting refugees, IDPs, returnees and host communities for the last 15 consecutive years, significantly contributed to saving lives and averted the consequence of the humanitarian crisis.
Since its inception, AHA in partnership with WFP and UNHCR, has continued to work in Darfur as the only continental African NGO in the area striving to meet the basic health care needs of communities.
Starting in 2004 and continuing throughout the following years, AHA launched its food distribution program and took on a Livestock Protection Project in 2007 in order to better secure one of the population’s greatest resources. As a result, the lives of hundreds of thousands of livestock were saved, disease outbreaks mitigated, the burden of livestock watering reduced, and tensions between host and IDP communities over such matters eased. Most importantly an essential community resource has been better secured, contributing to a long term improvement in the assisted populations health and wellbeing.
AHA has always been cognizant to the consequence of the humanitarian crisis and compassionate to support the vital needs for IDPs, returnees and local communities. In response to this, AHA expanded its programmes to support the return and reintegration of Sudanese returnees in the Blue Nile State. Began WASH project in collaboration with UNICEF. Built new shelters in Korma- the most affected areas in North Darfur. Constructed the first primary school with latrines and a police post in Haramba village. Renovated and furnished a clinic, constructed latrines and septic pits and provided the clinic with essential drugs, equipment and laboratory materials after an assessment mission in the village of Tartura. Together with the Ministry of Agriculture and FAO, AHA also worked on crop production to reduce the dependency of vulnerable groups on food Aid.
Despite the numerous challenges, on-going threats and shortages of the necessary resources, AHA’s efforts in general food distribution, livestock protection, income generation activities, returnee integration and reintegration, and raising awareness continued together with the local community to achieve positive outcomes.
Our current work sees us providing general/emergency food/nutrition assistance to IDPs and host community, returnees’ reintegration, protection & promoting peaceful coexistence among returnees in Darfur regional state, in the different localities of Dar Al Salam, Kabkabiya, Al Fasher Rural, Kornoi, Kutum, Saref-Omra, Tina, and Um Baru. In addition, in partnership with UNAMID and UNHCR, AHA is currently implementing community stabilization and durable solutions by increasing access to education, creating an enabling environment, livelihood support small income generating opportunities, law enforcement, and strengthening the local capacities.
