ABSTRACT

Persistent and widespread drought is a recurrent feature of the climate of Sudan. Drought and highly variable rainfall severely impact rural populations in Sudan and contribute to poverty, hunger, water scarcity, dislocation and even famine. Sudan’s rural populations are also highly vulnerable to future climate change (Osman-Elasha and Sanjak, 2008). Still, there are examples of development strategies and resource management measures employed by rural populations of Sudan that have increased the resilience of communities to cope with drought and its effects. These examples provide models that can be applied to increase drought resilience more widely in Sudan. They also offer lessons that can guide the integration of climate change adaptation with community development strategies.