In close collaboration with the Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) in Sudan, Terre des hommes (Tdh) set up a shelter construction and maintenance project in the camps in the surroundings of Geneina, nearby the Chadian border.

Having a protected space to live in is one of the fundamental human rights. Despite the support of the international community and NGOs, the IDPs situation remains very difficult, especially in terms of sheltering. Launched in 2008, the «Kournouk» project provides shelter for 12,000 persons each year.
«Kournouk» describes a traditional construction in Darfuri region made form a bamboo frame and sharghania panels (straw). The shelters offer a protection against sun, sand and rain, and create a private space, a protected «own place» for IDPs families. More often, these families are composed of single mothers, elders, disabled individuals in charge of children.
Tdh supplies the necessary material and technical support to the construction teams’ members. Furthermore, they receive incentives for the worked furnished allowing them to guarantee substantial income for their families. They also strengthen the self esteem and gain additional competencies permitting further access to the labour market.

The situation of children in Sudan

51% of the population living in the camps are children

Places of intervention

Four camps in El Geneina, West Darfur.

Beneficiaries of the project

• 12’000 children and parents received a new shelter

Budget 2011

CHF 3’500’000 (global for psychosocial, camp coordination and shelters)