The ongoing conflict in Sudan has severely impacted the country's capacity to provide critical healthcare services. To help address the crisis, the government of Italy is funding the creation of the Kassala Health Citadel, a large health district in eastern Sudan that will serve 2.8 million people.

"The Kassala Health Citadel is a unique health district in the Sudanese panorama that offers tertiary-level hospital services, serving not only the Kassala population but the population of neighbouring States," said Michele Morana, Director of AICS Khartoum.

As part of a €4.2 million project funded by the AICS, UNOPS will construct two main roads for the Kassala Health Citadel that will connect the general surgical unit, maternity hospital, blood bank and diagnostic centre.

UNOPS will also construct an operation theatre, additional service areas and additional wards that will hold more than 40 beds, among other activities.

"UNOPS is proud to have partnered with the Italian government to enhance the quality of life for vulnerable people, and increase access to critical healthcare," said Worknesh Mekonnen, Director of UNOPS Multi-Country Office in Ethiopia.

"This partnership between the AICS Khartoum Office and UNOPS represents a successful example of best practice, commitment and deep collaboration, capable of achieving significant and concrete results for the benefit of the Sudanese people," said H.E. Michele Tommasi, Italy's Ambassador to Sudan.

Read more about the project here.