Sudan receives the flows of the White Nile from the equatorial lakes region as well as the flows of the Blue Nile and the other major tributaries rising in Ethiopia and in Sudan. These tributaries meet in Sudan, forming the Main Nile, and flow north into Egypt. The Nile Basin constitutes the largest part of the country’s area and a high proportion of the available water resources.

Official Name: Republic of Sudan
Capital: Khartoum
Head of State: President Omar Hassan Ahmed El-Bashir
Currency: Sudanese Dinar
Total Population: 33.5 million
GDP (US$): 17.8 billion
GNI per Capita:( US$) 460
Total Land Area: 2,505,813 sq. km.

Source: The Worldbank World Development Indicators Database and the CIA factbook www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook.

Much of Sudan is arid and water scarcity limits development in other sectors in parts of the country. This has created wide concern, and water resources are now considered one of the highest priority national challenges. In the past, more than 50 institutions have been involved in water resources activities, but since 1992, the key institution has been the Ministry of Irrigation and Water Resources, which was established with the objectives of reducing problems caused by lack of coordination and of supporting integrated and sustainable development. A strategic plan for 1992-2002 was established, but the plan was very ambitious and implementation has been largely unsuccessful.

Efforts are now being made to address the situation. It has been recognized that the key objectives of water resources development are to enhance countrywide equity in welfare, improve domestic water supply and food security, while, at the same time, helping to provide economic benefits and export opportunities. Other important issues include those below.

Policy. Since 1992 a new national water policy has been under development. The development process has followed a holistic approach, with a wide spectrum of participation covering all sectors, experts, and stakeholders. The policy is now a draft document which has been widely discussed and reviewed, and is approaching finalization and adoption. The policy addresses issues of public awareness, holistic approaches to management, sustainable development, capacity-building, institutional development and research, environment, and regional cooperation. To implement the policy an appropriate enabling environment, including a corresponding legal framework, development of human resources, procedures for securing financing, and continuous upgrading of methodologies and technologies is needed.

Planning and development. Preparation of new projects needs to be undertaken in collaboration with neighboring countries, considering priorities and alternatives. Innovation needs have been identified in improving irrigation systems, supporting research, improving rain-fed agriculture, and increasing water supply and sanitation. Tackling them, attention should be paid to improved cooperation between different levels of government, better evaluation of demand, enhancement of water use awareness, appropriate and affordable designs, and upgrading of water quality analysis and protection.

Environment. Improved action is needed on a wide range of issues, in particular control and channeling of water in irrigation schemes, sedimentation and floating trash problems, contamination of groundwater by sewage, adverse impacts of water resources developments on forests and pastures, soil degradation and desertification, more effective evaluation of risks and hazards, and planning controls to manage the risks; and public awareness.

Data and information. Improvements are needed in monitoring systems, data analysis and databases.