DDRA - Darfur Development and Reconstruction Agency

The Darfur Development and Reconstruction Agency (DDRA) first came into being as a result of serious analysis in 1991 of what seemed like signs of a looming conflict in the region of Darfur - the then one region. The analysis was carried out by a group of Darfuris who were alarmed by a souring level of local and intertribal conflicts and their tendency to be politically polarized. The group simply wanted to arrest the situation by increasing official and public awareness about the risks of conflict in the region. The mechanism thought appropriate to disseminate that awareness was by forming a national organization. With full statute, membership and operational regulations pulled together, government authorities were approached for the registration of DDRA. Unfortunately, registration was not secured and DDRA was only registered in 2008 when the conflict was 13 years. Instead of averting the conflict, we found ourselves responding to its aftermath and effects!! DDRA is now a fully registered national organization, with Headquarters in Khartoum and 5 offices in Darfur – one office in each of Darfur's 5 states – and has so far implemented numerous projects in the field of natural resource management, local community peace fostering, promotion of livelihoods and food security and community capacity building. Response to emergency needs, where other actors concerned were not available, was also part of our interventions. DDRA also created, over the last 10 years, a wide range of networks, supporters, and stakeholders as a necessary agency to achieve its objectives and programs. DDRA is currently implementing projects in North, West, Central, and Eastern Darfur, looking at needs created by the seemingly emerging opportunities for recovery and post-conflict interventions, largely in the field of livelihoods and enhancement of regional peace, targeting hosts, IDPs, and returnees.