Project Title
Rehabilitation of Conflict-Affected Schools and Restoration of Safe Learning Environments in Gedaref and Al Jazira States – Sudan
Project Duration
6 Months
Total Budget
USD 680,000
Target Areas
Khartuom , Gedaref and Al Jazira States – Sudan
Direct Beneficiaries
- 15,000 – 18,000 students (boys and girls)
- 600 teachers and school staff
- Local communities and displaced families
The ongoing conflict in Sudan has created one of the most severe education crises globally. According to recent estimates, more than 8 million children are currently out of school. Many school facilities have been damaged, destroyed, or occupied by internally displaced populations. In Gedaref and Al Jazira States, several schools were used as temporary shelters, resulting in significant deterioration of infrastructure, loss of furniture, damaged sanitation facilities, and unsafe learning environments.
In addition, the lack of boundary walls, doors, and secure facilities exposes children—particularly girls—to protection risks, including harassment, violence, and school dropout. Frequent electricity shortages further disrupt learning and limit school functionality.
Without urgent intervention, prolonged school closures and unsafe learning conditions will increase dropout rates, child protection risks, and long-term educational loss. Rehabilitation of these schools is therefore essential to restore access to safe, inclusive, and protective education and to prevent the loss of a generation.
The ongoing conflict in Sudan has severely disrupted the education sector. Thousands of schools have been damaged, destroyed, or used as shelters for internally displaced populations, leading to the suspension of education for millions of children. In Gedaref and Al Jazira States, many schools remain in poor condition, with damaged classrooms, lack of furniture, inadequate water and sanitation facilities, and limited or no electricity.
The prolonged use of schools as displacement centers has further deteriorated infrastructure and learning conditions. In addition, the absence of boundary walls, doors, and windows exposes students—especially girls—to protection risks and reduces school attendance and retention.
This project aims to rehabilitate 30 priority schools through comprehensive maintenance and safety improvements. The intervention will include structural repairs, construction or rehabilitation of boundary walls and gates, installation of doors and windows, improvement of water and sanitation facilities, and provision of essential furniture. Solar energy systems will be installed to ensure reliable lighting and support basic school operations.
By restoring safe and functional learning environments, the project will enable the safe return of students to classrooms, reduce dropout risks, enhance protection, and support the recovery and stability of conflict-affected communities.
Overall Goal
To restore access to safe, protective, and sustainable learning environments for conflict-affected children in Gedaref and Al Jazira States.
Specific Objectives
- Rehabilitate and restore 30 conflict-affected schools to functional and safe learning conditions.
- Improve school safety and protection through the construction of boundary walls, installation of gates, doors, and windows, with priority for girls’ schools.
- Ensure access to safe water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) services in targeted schools.
- Provide solar energy systems to ensure reliable electricity and support continuous school operations.
- Equip schools with essential furniture and learning environment materials to support the resumption of education.
Main Activities
1. School Rehabilitation and Maintenance
- Repair of classrooms, including painting, roof maintenance, and fixing doors and windows.
- Rehabilitation of sanitation facilities.
- Repair of water and electrical networks.
- Cleaning and disinfection of schools after their use as displacement shelters.
2. Safety and Protection Enhancements (with a focus on girls’ schools)
Additional measures will be implemented to ensure safe and protective learning environments, particularly for girls, including:
- Construction or rehabilitation of boundary walls for priority schools.
- Installation of secure main gates.
- Repair and installation of doors for classrooms and administrative offices.
- Installation of secure windows with protective fittings.
- Improvement of lighting inside classrooms and school facilities.
- Construction or rehabilitation of separate and safe sanitation facilities for girls (where needed).
Expected impact:
- Improved safety and protection for female students.
- Reduced risks of harassment and gender-based violence.
- Increased attendance and retention of girls in school.
3. Solar Energy Systems
Due to unreliable or limited electricity supply in many areas, the project will:
- Install basic solar power systems in targeted schools.
- Provide lighting for classrooms and administrative offices.
- Support the operation of:
- School administration offices
- Water facilities (including pumps where required)
- Charging of basic educational devices
- Train school management staff on system operation and basic maintenance.
4. Provision of School Furniture and Learning Materials
- Supply student desks and chairs.
- Provide teachers’ desks and office furniture.
- Provide blackboards and essential teaching aids.
5. WASH Services
- Installation or rehabilitation of water points.
- Provision of water storage tanks.
- Construction or rehabilitation of gender-segregated latrines for boys and girls.
- Distribution of hygiene and cleaning supplies.
6. Child Protection and Psychosocial Support
- Establish child-friendly spaces within schools.
- Train teachers on child protection principles and basic psychosocial support (PSS).
Expected Results
- 30 schools rehabilitated and safe for use
- 15,000+ children returned to learning
- Improved protection and attendance of girls
- Reliable electricity through solar systems
- Improved WASH conditions in schools
- Reduced risk of dropout and learning loss
Custom Impact Metrics
- Access to Education
Every USD 45 helps one child return to school. - Classroom Rehabilitation
Every USD 2,000 supports the rehabilitation of one classroom. - School Furniture Support
Every USD 100 provides desks and seating for five students. - Safe School Environment
Every USD 8,000 contributes to the construction or rehabilitation of a secure school boundary wall. - Girls’ Education Support
Every USD 500 helps provide safe and gender-separated sanitation facilities for girls. - Solar Energy for Schools
Every USD 6,500 installs a solar power system for one school. - WASH Services Improvement
Every USD 2,500 rehabilitates water and sanitation facilities for one school.