Face of Truth: Cash for Work… The Beginning of Recovery

Ibrahim Shaglawi

Volunteer work programs have transformed into an indirect political actor that contributes to reshaping the relationship between the state and society, while testing the ability of local institutions to restore their core functions in developmental assistance.

The “Cash for Work” (CFW) project is considered one of the most effective humanitarian mechanisms in contexts of war and conflict, as it balances meeting citizens’ immediate basic needs—such as food and shelter—with building their self-reliance through temporary paid employment in vital community activities, including infrastructure repair and cleaning affected areas.

In the Sudanese context, the crisis does not lie in operating the basic functions of the state or the civil service, but rather in the deep disruption that has affected the sector of self-employment and handicrafts—the broadest and most vulnerable sector during wartime.

Those targeted by “Cash for Work” programs are not seekers of government jobs, but rather professionals who have lost their markets, tools, and capacity to produce. From this perspective, these programs gain their value as a mechanism to protect livelihoods outside the state framework and to reconnect small producers with the market, not as a permanent substitute for their original work. Politically, their success is measured by their ability to serve as a transitional bridge that restarts the economy from the grassroots and prevents artisans and self-employed workers from becoming dependent on humanitarian aid and relief, thereby preserving the dignity of work and safeguarding social cohesion.

Regional models in Iraq, Syria, Somalia, and Rwanda have demonstrated success in strengthening local economies, reducing reliance on direct assistance, and enhancing social cohesion by integrating displaced persons and unemployed youth into practical programs. This has led to reduced poverty rates and prevented the escalation of tensions during conflicts.

In Sudan, this approach represents a valuable opportunity to restore citizens’ dignity and protect livelihoods during the war, provided there is effective coordination between international humanitarian organizations, local voluntary entities, and the government to ensure sustainability.

The CFW project implemented by the British organization “Human Appeal,” in partnership with Khartoum Locality and supported by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), stands as a clear model of this transformation. The visit of the UN Resident Coordinator, Denis Brown, to the work sites earlier this week sent a clear message: restoring daily life—from clean streets to health centers and schools—is the foundation for rebuilding trust in local governance, and Sudan’s gateway to leveraging regional and international partnerships through adherence to humanitarian standards and sustainable development.

The experience has demonstrated the capacity of partnership between international organizations and local authorities to compensate for limited official resources, as evidenced by addressing 60 to 70 percent of accumulated waste estimated at around 300,000 tons, alongside expanding the project’s scope to include aesthetic improvements, solar energy for health centers and schools, support for water wells, and psychosocial support. This reflects a comprehensive approach that goes beyond emergency intervention toward building the foundations of community resilience.

The conscious choice of solar energy, for example, represents a developmental political decision that reduces dependence on electricity and ensures service sustainability, reflecting Sudan’s ability to comply with international standards of sustainable development.

The success of the program cannot be understood without recognizing the vital role played by local communities in supporting social development. Citizens participating in cleaning activities, infrastructure repair, and the

maintenance of schools and health centers do not merely carry out fieldwork; they become key actors in reshaping social relations and strengthening community belonging.

Direct participation grants individuals a sense of collective responsibility, creates interactive networks of cooperation among families and neighbors, and breaks the isolation imposed by war on cities and neighborhoods. In this way, the program transforms from a mere economic tool into a genuine social lever that enables communities to reclaim their role in guiding local development and building a culture of self-reliance.

From the perspective of #Face_of_Truth, the “Cash for Work” experience in Khartoum reveals the beginning of recovery alongside a sound interactive model that restores the value of work as a tool of stability and international partnership as a lever for local governance. When humanitarian action becomes a dignified productive pathway, cleaning a street or lighting a health center turns into a positive act that supports stability and restores the city’s spirit, as the state is reshaped and Sudan’s capacity to participate effectively in the international community is affirmed through tangible achievements connected to citizens’ daily lives.

Wishing you continued well-being and good health.

Wednesday, January 7, 2026

Shglawi55@gmail.com