Community based approach to enhance access to effective education, sustainable livelihood and durable solution for water, hygiene and sanitation in returnee’s villages (Garaia, Beltebei, Magan and Abougaradil) under envelope 5. Since 2015, Um Dukhun locality in Central Darfur has been witnessing unprecedented influxes of returnees mostly coming from Chad that represent one of the highest numbers of returnees in Sudan in 2016 (106,432 returnees in Central Darfur in July 2017 according to IOM DTM dashboard). The locality presents a complex context in terms of displacement and mixed population movements with on the one hand continuous return movements ongoing for years and on the other hand frequent new displacements (which happen on a local scale, due to phenomena such as small tribe clashes for example) that add to protracted displacement situations, Displacement in Um Dukhun took place mainly in 2003 and in 2013, due to tribal conflict and fighting between Salamat and Misseriya groups. Additional displacements were observed between May and July 2017 (an estimated 3,997 individuals flew their villages of origin) following intense clashes between Salamat and Misseriya. Some returns began in the locality in 2015 and 2016, intensified in 2017 and are still ongoing and expected to continue in 2018. For those who had taken refuge in neighboring Chad, the alleged reason for return are the closing of the camps near the border and their transfer inland into Chad combined with the tripartite agreement between Chad, Sudan and UNHCR regarding the voluntary return of Sudanese refugees. The overall improvement of the security situation in the area is also a pull factor for people to return to their village of origin.

Various shortcomings were observed in 2017 in return sites: dire gaps in availability of WASH services, Education facilities and Livelihoods’ opportunities. These observations led to the intervention of the RRR sector and several national and international partners, including TGH, in 3 returnees’ villages in 2017: Beltebei, Magan and Garaia. Partners have agreed to pursue their action throughout 2018 using an inclusive approach in order to plan a coherent and strong exit strategy. This project will also include small interventions in Abougaradil village, a returnees’ village where the community has already shown a will to permanently stay in the village and to strongly contribute to the enhancement of the proposed services.

To reinforce the foundations for more durable solutions that have been implemented from 2017 in the 3 sites of return, TGH proposes to establish sustainable water points with water committees who will be able to manage WASH services after the end of the project. The action will be completed with a locally managed spare parts store in order to reduce dependency on humanitarian actors. Construction of latrines and hygiene promotion with the involvement of communities will ensure a complete WASH intervention to fully mitigate health risks. In terms of livelihood, TGH will introduce new and durable opportunities, mainly focusing on strengthening farmers’ livelihoods. The development of income generating activities (IGAs) aims at creating new and sustainable sources of income. Several kinds of IGAs will be developed in the scope of the project based on local opportunities. Finally, regarding education, TGH will continue to improve the learning environment through additional trainings for teachers, distribution of student kits in order to partially relieve families of the burden of school expenses, encouraging therefore enrollment of children, and organizing WASH in school activities. The development of IGA within the school for the Parents and Teachers Associations (PTAs) will be a sustainable solution to raise some money to cover volunteer teachers’ salaries or other school expenses. All of the four targeted schools have active PTAs that play a strong role within the schools.

The response is considering both humanitarian immediate needs and medium to longer-term elements necessary to allow people considering a permanent return.