English News Report — UNESCO Announces New Development Package for Aroma
Aroma Has Waited for Water for Years… Will UNESCO Reopen the Door to Development?
Kassala – Hadia Sabah Al-Khair
From the heart of Kassala, UNESCO has brought new development prospects to the people of Aroma, announcing a package of projects focusing on water, education, production, and community empowerment, at a time when the organization revealed that the lack of water had been one of the major factors behind delays in implementing several of its previous projects in the area.
The announcement was made at Al-Prince Hall in central Kassala during a UNESCO training workshop entitled “Strengthening Sudan’s Response to Hate Speech, Building Peace and Social Cohesion, and Strengthening the Education System through a Cultural Perspective.” The workshop was attended by Kassala State Governor’s representative and Minister of Education and Guidance Osman Omar, UNESCO Representative in Sudan Junaid Soroush, Dr. Ayman Al-Badri, as well as journalists, community leaders, and artist Adel Muslim.
A UNESCO Apology… and Water Comes First
In a notable move, UNESCO apologized to the people of Aroma for the delays that affected the implementation of a number of its previous projects, stressing that addressing the water crisis is a key entry point for resuming and implementing a broader package of development interventions in the area.
Dr. Ayman Al-Badri revealed that Sudanese experts had successfully identified underground water in Aroma at a depth of 150 meters, describing the discovery as an important step toward removing one of the major obstacles that had delayed development projects.
UNESCO announced its commitment to drilling two water wells, at a cost exceeding US$25,000 per well. One well will serve the school, while the other will provide water for the local community, helping improve basic services and create a more suitable environment for development projects.
From Water to Production… A New Development Package
UNESCO’s interventions will not be limited to water. The new package includes projects aimed at strengthening production and livelihoods, including cattle fattening, greenhouse farming, food production for children, and organic fertilizer production.
The package also includes training in the installation and maintenance of solar energy systems, as well as vocational training for women and men in sewing and the production of uniforms, responding to the needs and priorities expressed by the Aroma community.
The organization also plans to support teachers by providing agricultural production units, in addition to conducting a field visit to monitor the progress of projects and directly assess the area’s needs.
1,410 Women to Benefit from a Literacy Program
In the education sector, UNESCO announced the launch of a literacy campaign targeting 1,410 women in Aroma, running until the end of 2027.
The program will include the training of 80 female facilitators from the local community, under the supervision of the Ministry of Education and the Literacy Administration in Kassala State.
The initiative seeks to link education with community development and expand women’s opportunities to acquire basic skills that can contribute to improving their social and economic participation.
Education and Culture in the Fight Against Hate Speech
Kassala State Governor’s representative and Minister of Education and Guidance Osman Omar affirmed the state government’s commitment to combating hate speech, calling for stronger community solidarity and the promotion of peaceful coexistence, while commending UNESCO’s efforts in education, culture, and peacebuilding.
Dr. Ayman Al-Badri explained that combating hate speech is one of UNESCO’s areas of focus, particularly through education, culture, and capacity building.
He noted that more than six training sessions had been conducted in this field, alongside efforts to develop technical education curricula.
The workshop also discussed the role of cultural heritage and the media in countering hate speech, as well as the experience of Kassala Radio and Television. Participants were also introduced to a training package aimed at building capacities in preventing hate speech through education and culture.
Aroma… From a Water Crisis to a New Development Horizon
The new package places Aroma before a potentially significant development phase, beginning with addressing the water crisis and extending to education, literacy, production, renewable energy, vocational training, and community empowerment.
Dr. Al-Badri reaffirmed UNESCO’s appreciation for Kassala and its people, as well as the organization’s commitment to continuing its development interventions in the state by bringing together education, culture, development, and community empowerment in support of social cohesion and peacebuilding.
The question now facing Aroma is a practical one: Will the new commitments turn into completed projects on the ground, after the lack of water delayed some of yesterday’s projects?
The post — UNESCO Announces New Development Package for Aroma Aroma Has Waited for Water for Years… Will UNESCO Reopen the Door to Development? Kassala – Hadia sabahA- first appeared on مسار ميديا.