The project “Strengthening Resilience through Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation,” implemented by the Sudanese Red Crescent Society (SRCS) with support from the Swedish Red Cross (SRC), ran from June 2022 to June 2025 in eight high-risk communities across three Sudanese states. Funded by the Swedish Embassy, it aimed to build community resilience through disaster risk reduction (DRR), climate change adaptation (CCA), and the integration of Protection, Gender and Inclusion (PGI) and Community Engagement and Accountability (CEA), while strengthening the Sudanese Red Crescent Society's (SRCS) institutional capacity.
Key findings
The evaluation found the project highly relevant to community priorities, with interventions such as flood terraces, water access improvements, agricultural support, and first aid training developed through participatory planning. However, some needs—such as addressing mining waste, mesquite infestations, and targeted support for youth and persons with disabilities—remained unmet due to budget constraints. At the institutional level, branch capacity improved significantly, but headquarters-level development was limited after adaptations following the outbreak of conflict.
SRCS technical capacity in DRR and CCA was strengthened as planned, while PGI and CEA mainstreaming progressed but fell short of some targets, and environmental sustainability training reached fewer participants than expected. Community resilience improved substantially compared to baseline, though final targets were not fully met. Positive unintended outcomes included strong community ownership and social cohesion, while minor tensions over resources were noted. Sustainability prospects are strongest for DRR interventions, with active disaster response teams and early warning committees. CCA measures, such as tree belts and home gardening, were less consistently maintained. Tools and training materials developed are practical and adaptable but require wider dissemination and institutional support.
The evaluation recommends flexible project design, institutionalising inclusive practices, strengthening feedback systems, integrating conflict sensitivity, supporting CCA sustainability, enhancing technical and headquarters capacity, and promoting learning and tool dissemination.