R4D Sudan

Sudan talks climate

Thu, 03 May 2012 03:32 GMT

Document Type: Report
Creator: Alfred, A.J.; Matthews, L.

Production Year: 2010

Citation: Alfred, A.J.; Matthews, L. Sudan talks climate. BBC World Service Trust, London, UK (2010) 17 pp.

Summary: In August 2009, the BBC World Service Trust’s Research and Learning Group, on behalf of the British Council, conducted research in northern and southern Sudan to gauge the public understanding of climate change. The research consisted of 12 focus group discussions with Sudanese citizens, as well as 18 in-depth interviews with opinion leaders from government, religious institutions, the private sector, the media and civil society. The overall objective was to find out what people think about climate change, and to determine how to tailor communication and media strategies to support Sudan’s response to climate change. Main findings and recommendations are presented in this report. Although some Sudanese in urban areas explain climate change with reference to scientific terms and concepts, most Sudanese outside of urban areas do not. Most Sudanese have noticed changes in the weather and seasons, and experienced drought, flooding, changes in rainfall and temperature increases, but do not associate these phenomena with global climate change.

Quantitative maps of groundwater resources in Africa.

Tue, 24 Apr 2012 02:33 GMT

Document Type: Journal Article
Creator: MacDonald, A.M.; Bonsor, H.C.; Dochartaigh, B.É.Ó; Taylor, R.G.

Production Year: 2012

Citation: MacDonald, A.M.; Bonsor, H.C.; Dochartaigh, B.É.Ó; Taylor, R.G. Quantitative maps of groundwater resources in Africa. Environmental Research Letters (2012) 7 (2) 024009. [DOI: 10.1088/1748-9326/7/2/024009]

Summary: In Africa, groundwater is the major source of drinking water and its use for irrigation is forecast to increase substantially to combat growing food insecurity. Despite this, there is little quantitative information on groundwater resources in Africa, and groundwater storage is consequently omitted from assessments of freshwater availability. Here we present the first quantitative continent-wide maps of aquifer storage and potential borehole yields in Africa based on an extensive review of available maps, publications and data. We estimate total groundwater storage in Africa to be 0.66 million km3 (0.36–1.75 million km3). Not all of this groundwater storage is available for abstraction, but the estimated volume is more than 100 times estimates of annual renewable freshwater resources on Africa. Groundwater resources are unevenly distributed: the largest groundwater volumes are found in the large sedimentary aquifers in the North African countries Libya, Algeria, Egypt and Sudan. Nevertheless, for many African countries appropriately sited and constructed boreholes can support handpump abstraction (yields of 0.1–0.3 l/s), and contain sufficient storage to sustain abstraction through inter-annual variations in recharge. The maps show further that the potential for higher yielding boreholes (>5 l/s) is much more limited. Therefore, strategies for increasing irrigation or supplying water to rapidly urbanizing cities that are predicated on the widespread drilling of high yielding boreholes are likely to be unsuccessful. As groundwater is the largest and most widely distributed store of freshwater in Africa, the quantitative maps are intended to lead to more realistic assessments of water security and water stress, and to promote a more quantitative approach to mapping of groundwater resources at national and regional level.

Africa Talks Climate: The public understanding of climate change in ten countries. Executive Summary.

Tue, 10 Apr 2012 09:14 GMT

Document Type: Report
Creator: Godfrey, A.; Roux-Rutledge, E. le; Cooke, S.; Burton, M.; Neville, L.; Pauker, E.

Production Year: 2010

Citation: Godfrey, A.; Roux-Rutledge, E. le; Cooke, S.; Burton, M.; Neville, L.; Pauker, E. Africa Talks Climate: The public understanding of climate change in ten countries. Executive Summary. BBC World Service Trust, London, UK / British Council, UK (2010) 20 pp.

Summary: This report summarizes research conducted to date on public understanding of climate change in Africa. The research programme was called Africa Talks Climate (ATC). Fieldwork completed in 2009 convened discussions with over 1000 citizens and nearly 200 opinion leaders in ten countries across sub-Saharan Africa. Using a qualitative research approach, ATC sought to assess current attitudes and understanding and identify how media and communication can best support Africans’ response to climate change.

The global financial crisis: what role for state capacity and political incentives to respond to external economic shocks? Synthesis of literature review findings.

Tue, 10 Apr 2012 05:17 GMT

Document Type: PowerPoint Presentation
Creator: Foresti, M.; Massa, I.; Harris, D.; Wild, L.

Production Year: 2010

Citation: Foresti, M.; Massa, I.; Harris, D.; Wild, L. The global financial crisis: what role for state capacity and political incentives to respond to external economic shocks? Synthesis of literature review findings. ODI, London, UK (2010) 18 pp.

Summary: This presentation covers the reasons for studying state capacity and political incentives; the questions to be answered; work so far; forms of state capacity; other factors; the effects of the global financial crisis on developing countries; policy responses to the crisis; and the economic, political and governance challenges in crisis responses (examples from Tanzania, Bangladesh and Sudan).

A review of hydrology, sediment and water resource use in the Blue Nile Basin.

Thu, 15 Mar 2012 07:30 GMT

Document Type: Working Paper
Creator: Awulachew, S. B.; McCartney, M.; Steenhuis, T. S; Ahmed, A. A.

Production Year: 2008

Citation: Awulachew, S. B.; McCartney, M.; Steenhuis, T. S; Ahmed, A. A. A review of hydrology, sediment and water resource use in the Blue Nile Basin. International Water Management Institute, Colombo, Sri Lanka (2008) 87 pp. ISBN 978-92-9090-699-5 (IWMI Working Paper 131)

Summary: This report presents a comprehensive literature review and broad-based analysis of the water resources of the Blue Nile (Abay) River. This work was undertaken as the initial phase in a study to evaluate approaches for improved land and water management in the Ethiopian highlands and assess the likely implications for downstream stakeholders in Sudan. Data and information have been compiled in relation to hydrology, sediment and water use in the basin. Section 1, Introduction, provides a context through the consideration of water resources both in Africa and the whole of the Nile Basin. Section 2, Blue Nile Physiography, presents an overview of the characteristics of the Blue Nile Basin, including a description of the meteorological monitoring network and the availability of historic data. It also reviews the geology, soil and land-use, and land-cover of the basin based on secondary sources. Section 3, Hydrology of the Blue Nile, describes the hydrology of the Blue Nile, including seasonal variation and trends over time. A summary of past hydrological modeling in the Nile and the Blue Nile is also presented. Section 4, Soil Erosion and Sedimentation, focuses on erosion and sediment transport and presents an overview of sediment in the major tributaries, including seasonal variations and trends over time. Section 5, Water Resource Development, reviews existing water resource development in both Ethiopia and Sudan and discusses the future potential with respect to major water uses (i.e., irrigation and hydropower). Section 6, Discussion/ Recommendations, provides a summary of the research methods and models to be used in the study. The reference materials collated and listed at the end of this report provide an important resource for water management and future research to be undertaken in the basin.

China and conflict-affected states – between principle and pragmatism. Sudan and South Sudan case study.

Wed, 29 Feb 2012 03:02 GMT

Document Type: Case Study
Creator: Attree, L.

Production Year: 2012

Citation: Attree, L. China and conflict-affected states – between principle and pragmatism. Sudan and South Sudan case study. Saferworld, (2012) 45 pp.

Summary: The South Sudan and Sudan case study is excerpted from a full-length report published by Saferworld that focuses upon China’s role in conflict-affected contexts. The case study focuses on China’s engagement, analysing its impacts on peace and conflict dynamics between Sudan and South Sudan, and internal to South Sudan. It is structured to provide an overview of peace and conflict dynamics in Sudan and South Sudan (section 5.2) and international engagement in the two states (section 5.3), before turning to a more detailed analysis of China’s engagement (section 5.4). Building on this analysis, section 5.5 then offers conclusions and policy implications. In the wake of South Sudan’s independence in July 2011, it pays particular attention to the views of stakeholders in South Sudan regarding China’s past engagement and opportunities for its successful future engagement in a challenging but potentially rewarding context.

China and conflict-affected states – between principle and pragmatism

Wed, 29 Feb 2012 02:34 GMT

Document Type: Report
Creator: Campbell, I.; Wheeler, T.; Attree, L.; Butler, D.M.; Mariani, B.

Production Year: 2012

Citation: Campbell, I.; Wheeler, T.; Attree, L.; Butler, D.M.; Mariani, B. China and conflict-affected states – between principle and pragmatism. Saferworld, (2012) 143 pp.

Summary: We are witnessing a “revolution in the global order” and China is leading this revolution. In the West, analysts and policy makers are grappling with what China’s rise means for international relations and the spectrum of foreign policy concerns. In China itself policy makers are also coming to terms with this new found influence and the responsibilities that come with it. A critical issue will be what happens as China and other rising powers make their presence increasingly felt in countries where peace is precarious. The risk is that conflict issues may be aggravated, leading to instability and even the return of violent conflict. But equally, China’s increasing engagement offers opportunities to consolidate peace.

This report is one of the main outputs of a 12-month research project that examined the implications for peace and stability of China’s increasing engagement in conflict-affected states. The report is based on research in Nepal, Sri Lanka, Sudan and South Sudan, and contributes to the evidence base about how China’s rise will affect conflict-affected states. It is meant not only to raise awareness, but also to encourage policy makers to engage with the new realities, including how they can respond to the changing context for international efforts to promote peace and stability.

The report includes in-depth case studies of the specific contexts of Nepal, Sri Lanka, Sudan and South Sudan. These can also be downloaded as separate documents.

China and conflict affected states – risks and opportunities for building peace

Tue, 28 Feb 2012 07:55 GMT

Document Type: Briefing

Production Year: 2012

Citation: Anon. China and conflict affected states – risks and opportunities for building peace. (2012) 16 pp. Available in English and Chinese.

Summary: As the world order changes, rising powers like China are increasingly involved in countries where peace is fragile. This brings new responsibilities and policy choices for China, while it also means a new reality for Western donors and policy makers. These changes are affecting peace and stability in conflict-affected states. However, as Beijing’s approach towards these countries evolves there is an unprecedented opportunity for China and the West to develop more complementary approaches in support of peace.

This briefing highlights the implications for peace and stability of China’s growing engagement in conflict affected states. It is based on Saferworld research in Nepal, Sri Lanka, Sudan and South Sudan. It sets out key findings, conclusions and recommendations for Chinese and Western actors.

The global financial crisis Series. Paper 316: Phase 2 Synthesis

Thu, 16 Feb 2012 05:35 GMT

Document Type: Discussion Paper
Creator: Velde, D. W.; Ahmed, M. M.; Alemu, G.; Bategeka, L.; Calí, M.; Castel-Branco, C.; Chansa, F.; Dasgupta, S.; Foresti, M.; Hangi, M.; Ingombe, L.; Iqbal, A.; Jalilian, H.; Jemio, L. C.; Kalala, F. K.; Keane, J.; Kennan, J.; Khan, T. I.; Lunogelo, H. B.; Massa, I.; Mbilinyi, A.; Mudenda, D.; Mwega, F. M.; Ndulo, M.; Nina, O.; Ossemane, R.; Rahman, M.; Reyes, G.; Ssewanyana, S.; Wild, L.

Production Year: 2010

Citation: Velde, D. W.; Ahmed, M. M.; Alemu, G.; Bategeka, L.; Calí, M.; Castel-Branco, C.; Chansa, F.; Dasgupta, S.; Foresti, M.; Hangi, M.; Ingombe, L.; Iqbal, A.; Jalilian, H.; Jemio, L. C.; Kalala, F. K.; Keane, J.; Kennan, J.; Khan, T. I.; Lunogelo, H. B.; Massa, I.; Mbilinyi, A.; Mudenda, D.; Mwega, F. M.; Ndulo, M.; Nina, O.; Ossemane, R.; Rahman, M.; Reyes, G.; Ssewanyana, S.; Wild, L. and others. The global financial crisis Series. Paper 316: Phase 2 Synthesis. ODI, London, UK (2010) 77 pp.

Summary:

When the global financial crisis broke out in earnest in September 2008, it quickly became clear that developing countries would also be affected, but that the impacts would vary markedly. The Overseas Development Institute (ODI) coordinated a multi-country study over January-March 2009 involving developing country teams in 10 countries. This showed that, while the transmission mechanisms were similar in each (trade, private capital flows, remittances, aid), the effects varied by country, and much was not yet visible. As such, further country-specific monitoring was required. Most findings suggested that, as a result of time lags, the worst effects were yet to come. This synthesis of the effects of the global financial crisis on developing countries updates the description of the economic and social situation during the course of the crisis in 11 countries (Bangladesh, Bolivia, Cambodia, Congo, Ethiopia, Kenya, Mozambique, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia). The synthesis includes a series of easy-to-read comparative tables of how the 11 countries have been affected and a summary of key facts.

Global Financial Crisis Discussion Series. Paper 19: Sudan Phase 2

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 09:00 GMT

Document Type: Discussion Paper
Creator: Ahmed, M. M.

Production Year: 2010

Citation: Ahmed, M. M. Global Financial Crisis Discussion Series. Paper 19: Sudan Phase 2. ODI, London, UK (2010) 50 pp.

Summary:

This study aims at examining the impacts of the global financial crisis on the Sudanese economy. It finds that the crisis has deteriorated the terms of trade, lowered both exports and imports, slowed down foreign direct investment (FDI), caused remittances to drop, lowered aid and widened the deficits in the current account and the balance of payments. Growth declined by 4% of gross domestic product (GDP) in 2009, from 10.2% in 2007 and 6% in 2008. Budget revenues declined sharply by more than 50% in 2009 and government expenditures slowed with regard to service delivery, development and transfers to sub-national governments and to the Government of Southern Sudan (GoSS).

Expected impacts on stock and financial markets were very low given the lack of direct links to international markets and the absence of foreign investors in the Sudanese market. The Government of National Unity (GNU) responded to the decline in oil revenues by swiftly increasing VAT, from 10% to 15% in 2007 and to 20% on telecommunications in 2008, introducing a development tax of 5% and scaling up customs duties on imported cars and luxuries. It also expanded internal borrowing through the sale of Government Musharaka Certificates and resorted to deficit financing to meet spending needs. Scarcity in foreign currency inflows led to a drawing down on the country’s foreign reserves to finance critical current and development spending.

The government pegged local currency to the euro. This depreciated as a result of deep recession, which led to further depreciation of the Sudanese pound. In turn, incapacity and structural rigidities in the economy meant that Sudanese non-oil exports did not become more competitive.