Kassala State citizens using insecticides to combat mosquitoes in the state

Youth participating in the Rule of Law Day campaign for preserving the environment

For the first time in Kassala state, hundreds of youth between the ages of 16 and 22 gathered to clean up more than 51 areas, in celebration of Rule of Law Day on 11 October. Sudanese youth toured different locations in Kassala and helped pick up litter in an effort to raise awareness about the dangers caused by littering in Kassala.

Cognizant of the pivotal role of youth in communities, UNDP in collaboration with the Kassala State Ministry of Youth and Sport organized a three-day campaign in Kassala state under the slogan “Attitudinal Change towards a Clean Environment while Promoting the Rule of Law.” The campaign helped instil among the youth a sense of civic ownership and responsibility towards their society and shed light on the importance of voluntarism in today’s society.

The youth were further encouraged to share their experiences with their colleagues in universities and colleges using bulletins and blogs, which show photos reflecting the great work they achieved.

Emphasizing the importance of replicating this campaign in other states, Mr. Mohamed Yousif Adam, Wali of Kassala state, said that “This campaign is a great success, and has exceeded all expectations. The initial assessments indicate that more than 1,000 youth took part in the Rule of Law campaign. This is the first time that such a campaign is being organized in Eastern Sudan to achieve this primary goal – which is cleaning up of our environment through the celebration the Rule of Law Day. I’m sure that after today's cleanup is finished, many locations in Kassala town will be very clean and I certainly hope that this campaign will become a tradition,” added the Wali.

Kassala State Minister of Youth and Sport Mr. Mohamed Ahmed Ali also took part in the celebrations and helped clean up the sites situated in the government residential area. “We supported the action throughout the state. I urge youth and citizens to take care of their environment and to protect it – not only today, but also in the future because this shows their true sense of citizenship. We thank UNDP for initiating the campaign which contributes directly to the development of Kassala and I also urge other youth who have not yet participated already to take part in this outstanding initiative,” he said.

Ahmed Abdelmagid, a university student, described the event as “A marvellous opportunity to contribute. I hope this positive energy will grow more and more and reach other localities. We should not only think what our societies can bring to us, but rather, what we as citizens can do for it.”

This initiative is part of UNDP’s efforts to promote local government development and democratic societies in East Sudan. Through initiatives that strengthen local government’s ability to provide better public services, UNDP helps bring about principles of transparency and democratic governance to different states in East Sudan.