The Republic of Sudan, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, through the Saudi Fund for Development (SFD), and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) have sealed a US $10M grant to support the rehabilitation and expansion of water supply systems in communities affected by conflict and water scarcity.
The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed in Geneva by H.E. Sultan Abdulrahman Al-Marshad, Chief Executive Officer of the Saudi Fund for Development; H.E. Barham Salih, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees; and H.E. Ambassador Hassan Hamid Hassan, Sudan’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Office and other international organizations in Geneva. The signing ceremony took place at the Permanent Mission of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to the United Nations in Geneva and was attended by senior representatives from all three parties.
Under the agreement, the Saudi-funded initiative will focus on rehabilitating and expanding critical water infrastructure in several war-affected regions of Sudan, including key improvements to the Nile water system in Khartoum. The project will integrate solar-powered water treatment and pumping systems, strengthen technical capacity, and promote community engagement to ensure long-term sustainability and equitable access to clean water. These measures are expected to improve resilience to climate pressures while reducing health risks linked to unsafe water.
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Long-term goals
UNHCR emphasized that reliable access to water is essential for restoring dignity, stability, and self-reliance among displaced people and host communities. The agency noted that the project reflects a strong humanitarian-development nexus, addressing urgent needs while reinforcing long-term infrastructure that benefits entire communities.
Years of conflict and instability in Sudan have severely disrupted water services, leaving millions of people particularly women and children vulnerable to waterborne diseases and daily hardship. The new initiative forms part of Saudi Arabia’s broader humanitarian and development support to Sudan, aimed at stabilisation, recovery, and improved living conditions.
The agreement builds on more than a decade of cooperation between the Saudi Fund for Development and UNHCR. Over the past ten years, SFD has supported 18 UNHCR-implemented projects worth more than US $85M across countries including Pakistan, Myanmar, Thailand, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Afghanistan, and now Sudan. This long-standing partnership reflects shared priorities in resilience, dignity, and sustainable development.
Speaking at the signing, SFD CEO Sultan Abdulrahman Al-Marshad said access to safe and reliable water is fundamental to health and social stability, adding that the grant supports both immediate humanitarian needs and long-term development goals.
Sudan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation welcomed the agreement, expressing appreciation to Saudi Arabia for its continued support of the country’s stabilization and reconstruction efforts. UNHCR will serve as the implementing agency for the project.
Established in 1974, the Saudi Fund for Development has financed more than 800 projects in over 100 countries, with total commitments exceeding US $22bn. Its work spans key sectors including infrastructure, agriculture, energy, and social services, supporting the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and improving living standards in developing countries.
