In the heart of eastern Sudan, where the desert once crept closer each year, green is returning to the land — and with it, renewed hope for the people who call it home.

For Fatima Hassan, a mother of four from Kassala State, the transformation is personal.

“I used to spend hours every week collecting firewood,” she says. “Now I work at a nursery, planting trees that will protect our land for generations. My children see me earning, learning, and helping our community grow.”

Fatima is one of thousands of local residents benefiting from The Great Gum Belt Project, an ambitious initiative to plant 125 million native Acacia trees across East Sudan by 2030. The project not only restores ecosystems but also rebuilds livelihoods — creating over 1,500 jobs and engaging 6% of the local population in planting, harvesting, and sustainable production of Gum Arabic.

Empowering Communities — Especially Women

Traditionally, gum tapping and tree management were male-dominated roles. But through targeted training and community outreach, women now hold over 40% of skilled and professional positions within the project. From nursery management to logistics and clean energy education, women like Fatima are helping to redefine what leadership looks like in rural Sudan.

“We used to think our role was only in the home,” says Fatima. “Now, I teach others how to care for the trees. We are part of something bigger than ourselves.”

Clean Energy and Climate Resilience

The project also supports households with biogas-powered cooking solutions, reducing the need for firewood and helping protect the newly planted forests from deforestation. For families, this means cleaner air, safer homes, and time saved — especially for women and girls who once spent long hours collecting fuel.

The acacia trees themselves play a vital environmental role, fixing nitrogen in the soil, improving crop yields, and recharging groundwater across 50,000 hectares. Together, these efforts strengthen local resilience against drought and climate shocks while helping Sudan meet its *Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement.

Sustainable Impact for Generations

Aligned with ten of the UN Sustainable Development Goals, including No Poverty (SDG 1), Gender Equality (SDG 5), Climate Action (SDG 13), and Life on Land (SDG 15), The Great Gum Belt is more than a reforestation effort — it is a model for inclusive, sustainable development.

For Fatima, the change is already visible:

“When the wind blows through the new acacias,” she smiles, “it sounds like the land is breathing again.”

As the Great Gum Belt continues to expand, each tree planted is more than a seedling in the soil — it is a symbol of recovery, resilience, and the power of communities to lead their own future.