AFD, Danish Refugee Council launch €8 million partnership to support women economic resilience and social cohe...

AFD, Danish Refugee Council launch €8 million partnership to support women economic resilience and social cohesion amid Sudan crisis

Published on December 19, 2025

• Sudan
• Gender Equality

On the occasion of International Migrants Day, and as the crisis in Sudan continues to unfold, the Agence Française de Développement (AFD) announces a new partnership with the Danish Refugee Council (DRC).

On the occasion of International Migrants Day, and as the crisis in Sudan continues to unfold, the Agence Française de Développement (AFD) announces a new partnership with the Danish Refugee Council (DRC), in close collaboration with local feminist organizations, to provide a comprehensive support to conflict-affected populations in Sudan and Ethiopia. This €8 million initiative focuses on access to essential services, promotes women's economic empowerment, and foster social cohesion in Gedaref (Sudan) and Benishangul-Gumuz (Ethiopia), two regions heavily impacted by internal displacement and cross-border migration linked to the Sudanese conflict.

Women and girls at the heart of the response

Since 2023, the war in Sudan has triggered one of the world's most severe displacement crisis, with over 11 million people internally displaced and nearly 4 million refugees seeking safety to neighboring countries. Women and girls, who make up 54% of the displaced populations, face heightened risks of gender-based violence (GBV), food insecurity, and limited access to essential services. This project places women and girls at the center of recovery efforts, recognizing both their specific vulnerabilities and their essential role as drivers of positive change.

A conflict-sensitive and feminist approach

The project reflects France's commitment to conflict-sensitive, inclusive, and locally anchored development in fragile contexts. It also builds on the momentum of the Second International Conference for Sudan, held in London in April 2025, where donors pledged €950 million to support civilian populations affected by the crisis in Sudan and neighboring countries.

A portion of the funding carries the "Feminist Organizations Support Fund" label of the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs. Through this fund, €1 million is specifically allocated to Ethiopian Women Lawyers Association (EWLA) and ZENAB for Women in Development in Sudan to strengthen local women's rights organizations, access to legal protection and promote economic opportunities.

Working towards long-term recovery

Supporting development programs is essential for Sudan's long-term recovery, as they reinforce public service capacities, sustain economic activities and bolster food production. Working closely with local authorities, these programs bridge the gap between immediate humanitarian relief and long-term stability, ensuring that communities are not only surviving but thriving. While this partnership represents an important step forward, the scale of the crisis demands sustained international attention and resources. AFD and its partners urge the global community to maintain support for initiatives that empower women and girls, strengthen local organizations, and foster resilient, inclusive communities across Sudan and Eastern Africa.

"This partnership with the Danish Refugee Council marks a first for AFD and reflects our shared conviction that displacement and migration must be addressed through a development lens. By supporting women's economic resilience and social cohesion in contexts affected by the Sudan crisis, we are investing in dignity, stability, and long-term recovery," said Jean-François Arnal, AFD Regional Director for Eastern Africa.

"This project is not only about delivering aid. It is about strengthening resilience, restoring dignity, and supporting women and girls as leaders of recovery and peacebuilding in one of the most complex displacement crises of our time. By acting early, before displacement becomes protracted, and by combining humanitarian assistance with local leadership and resilience-building, we are strengthening the capacities of individuals and communities. This regional approach reflects a simple reality: communities cannot be stabilized on one side of the border without investing on the other," said James Curtis, Danish Refugee Council Regional Director for East Africa and Great Lakes Region.

Press Contacts

AFD Group

Emma Sanchis Peris: [email protected]

Danish Refugee Council

Pauline Wesolek: [email protected]