Government: 71% of Sudanese Live in Poverty

Sudan’s Minister of Social Welfare, Moatassim Ahmed Salih, has revealed that the country’s poverty rate has surged from 21% to 71% as a result of the ongoing war, according to official reports. He said around 23 million Sudanese now live below the poverty line.

Speaking at a briefing conference held on Saturday in Port Sudan, the minister said the government will make serious efforts to reduce poverty through productive projects and job creation initiatives despite current challenges.

Salih stressed the importance of directing social responsibility funds toward productive and service-oriented projects that directly benefit citizens, help alleviate poverty and unemployment, and facilitate the shift from relief to recovery and development, while enhancing social security partnerships.

He pointed out that many citizens have lost their sources of income, underscoring the need to activate microfinance programs. He added that steps are being taken to ease the fund’s requirements and guarantees in coordination with the Central Bank of Sudan and to raise financing limits.

The minister further noted that adjustments will be made to the financing mechanism to allow any citizen to access funding and implement their own productive project.