Elgoni Foundation Resumes Humanitarian Activities in Northern Abyei and Launches Peace and Environmental Initiatives

Northern Abyei Regional Office – September 2026

As part of its efforts to resume humanitarian operations following a period of forced suspension caused by the war in Sudan, Elgoni Foundation, under the leadership of its Regional Director for West Kordofan and Northern Abyei, has continued implementing its plan to rebuild its humanitarian presence and expand interventions in areas hosting displaced populations and communities affected by the conflict. More than hundred thousand dollars was allocated by Elgoni Foundation for 2026 activities used in distributinghumanitarian assistance in Elmuglad, Babanusa and north Abyei including distribution of food hampers, collective Ramadan Iftars, nursery seedlings and staff and volunteerscosts.

This report forms part of the organization’s quarterly performance review for July–September 2026. It highlights the principal activities undertaken during the reporting period, as well as future plans in peacebuilding, peaceful coexistence, education, healthcare, environmental protection, and community awareness.

1. Resuming Humanitarian Activities After More Than Two Years of Suspension

Elgoni Foundation is working to restore its operations following a forced suspension lasting more than 24 months due to the consequences of the war in Sudan. The conflict resulted in the loss of several organizational assets, buildings, and equipment, the displacement of staff members, and the suspension of numerous programs. Hundred thousand dollars allocated to the 2026 projects. Given the continuing security and humanitarian challenges in West Kordofan State, the organization sought a safer and more suitable environment in which to resume its humanitarian activities. Northern Abyei was identified as a priority area requiring increased humanitarian and community-based interventions.

2. Establishing a Second Organizational Headquarters in Northern Abyei

As part of its operational relocation and recovery strategy, the organization successfully secured a plot of land measuring approximately 2,500 square meters in Al-Salam (Al-Khawf) village in Northern Abyei. The site will serve as a future headquarters for humanitarian activities and programs, while the organization’s original office in Al-Dayir Aljanubi will remain operational. An organizational signboard has already been installed at the new headquarters site, marking an initial step toward establishing a permanent institutional presence in the area. The organization plans to construct a headquarters comprising administrative offices and a training hall to support program implementation and host community activities and capacity-building initiatives.

3. Strengthening Cooperation with the Abyei Administration

To establish local partnerships, Elgoni Foundation conducted a series of meetings with UNISFA community development Officers leadership and the Abyei Area Administration.During these meetings, the organization submitted a comprehensive portfolio containing its registration certificate, operational plan, and proposed areas of intervention, particularly:

✓ Peacebuilding and community reconciliation.

✓ Promoting peaceful coexistence and community awareness.

✓ Education.

✓ Healthcare and safe water.

✓ Environmental protection.

A preliminary understanding was reached to work toward signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the organization and the Abyei Administration and UNISFA. This proposed agreement would facilitate joint projects benefiting local communities.

4. Livestock Vaccination Project

One of the most significant initiatives proposed under this cooperation framework is a livestock vaccination project in Northern Abyei. The project responds to urgent needs among pastoral communities, whose livelihoods depend heavily on livestock. According to the organization’s estimates, livestock in the area have not received vaccination services for up to four years, making veterinary intervention a critical humanitarian and development priority. The organization intends to coordinate a specialized technical workshop, followed by the formal announcement of the initiative.

5. More Than 500 Seedlings for the Tree-Planting Initiative in Goley

In the environmental sector, Elgoni Foundation implemented a tree-planting initiative in Goley village, covering the main road and several public facilities. The activities included:

✓ Planting neem seedlings along the village’s main road.

✓ Planting seedlings at each of the Goley Mosque, health Center, and school.

✓ Distributing and planting fruit-tree seedlings in household compounds.

The fruit trees included mango, lemon, and guava. The organization considers this initiative not only an environmental improvement activity but also an opportunity to strengthen community participation in environmental protection, expand green spaces, and encourage households to cultivate fruit trees. A nursery is under construction to prepare for planting ten thousand forest and fruit trees during next year.

6. Seeking Partners and Funding for Humanitarian Programs

The organization has prioritized identifying partners and donors to finance initiatives targeting local communities in Northern Abyei and West Kordofan. Several project proposals have been prepared, including an environmental improvement and afforestation project aiming to plant approximately 10,000 seedlings. The organization has also developed a specialized initiative entitled: “Initiative for Promoting Peace and Peaceful Coexistence in the Abyei Area.” This initiative aims to strengthen coexistence among local communities, promote a culture of peace, and create opportunities for dialogue and community cooperation , especially as UNISFA might leave. However, fundraising efforts have encountered challenges, including reservations expressed by some international organizations regarding the direct implementation of projects in Northern Abyei because of security concerns and incidents of community-level insecurity.

7. Training and Capacity Building for Volunteers

As part of its efforts to strengthen the capacities of staff and volunteers, Elgoni Foundation recommended conducting a training workshop on photography and digital documentationand community mobilization communication skills. The workshop aims to equip volunteers with the skills needed to document humanitarian activities professionally and produce visual materials for awareness campaigns, communications, and project promotion. A training proposal has been prepared targeting 15 young volunteer participants from the two principal communities in the Abyei area: the Misseriya and the Ngok Dinka as well as from Abyei Administration. The training is expected to improve participants’ photography and digital documentation skills, enabling them to communicate community experiences and humanitarian initiatives more effectively.

8. Community Awareness as a Priority for the Next Phase

Elgoni Foundation considers community awareness among residents of Northern Abyei a central priority for the coming period. The organization views awareness-raising as an essential foundation for strengthening community peace and encouraging local participation in development, environmental, and health-related issues. It believes that sustainable humanitarian action should extend beyond the provision of assistance to include investment in people, capacity development, awareness of rights and responsibilities, and genuine partnerships among communities, local authorities, and humanitarian organizations.

9. Priorities for the Coming Period

Based on progress achieved during the third quarter of 2026, the organization identified eight key priorities:

i. Construction of organizational headquarters: Build permanent administrative offices and a training hall in Al-Salam (Al-Khawf) village using durable construction materials.

ii. Resource mobilization: Continue identifying donors and partners to finance humanitarian programs and initiatives.

iii. Volunteer capacity building: Conduct a specialized workshop on photography and digital documentationas well as community communication skills.

iv. Community awareness: Prioritize awareness-raising programs among communities in Northern Abyei.

v. Institutional partnerships: Strengthen cooperation with the Abyei Administration, UNISFA and local communities.

vi. Peacebuilding and peaceful coexistence: Support peace initiatives and create opportunities for community dialogue.

vii. Afforestation and Environmental protection: Expand tree-planting activities toward the implementation of a project targeting 10,000 seedlings.

viii. Health and veterinary interventions: Advance health and veterinary initiatives, particularly the proposed livestock vaccination project.

10. Toward a Sustainable Humanitarian Presence

The resumption of Elgoni Foundation’s activities in Northern Abyei represents an important step toward rebuilding its institutional and humanitarian presence after years of war and operational disruption. Although the organization continues to face challenges related to funding and security, it is focusing on establishing local and international partnerships, investing in volunteers, and implementing initiatives that directly improve community well-being. During the coming period, the organization seeks to move beyond operational recovery toward sustainable humanitarian engagement. Its future programs will combine humanitarian relief, community development, environmental protection, peacebuilding, peaceful coexistence, and public awareness.