Activity Description: Practical Action Sudan (formerly ITDG) conducts a building materials and shelter project that has assisted low-income brick producers in securing employment and improving their livelihoods in the village of Shambob by supporting the formation of a building materials producers' association.

Technical training included work on producing high quality bricks, which helped set new national standards and influenced brick makers and consumers across the Kassala region. The association sold more than 1.2 million bricks during 2001/ 2002.

The project also involved developing alternative types of brick-firing kilns, promoting the use of agro-waste as an alternative to wood fuel, expanding availability of appropriate low cost roofing, and supporting a women's society.