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\hypersetup{pdftitle={Role of Informal Finance in Rural Households Vulnerability Reduction: A Case of Al Dagag Village North Kordofan State, Sudan},pdfauthor={Gihan Adam Abdalla, Ulrike Schultz, Gihan Adam Abdalla},pdfsubject={Tropentag 2010: Abstract},pdfkeywords={Coping strategies, diversification, keywords: informal finance, risks and shocks, vulnerability},pdfpagemode=None,colorlinks=true}
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\parbox[b]{13.4cm}{\centering \large{\textbf{Tropentag, September 14-16, 2010, Zurich}}\\[1ex] \Large{``World Food System  ---\\A Contribution from Europe''\\[2ex]}}
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\begin{center}
\Large{\textbf{Role of Informal Finance in Rural Households Vulnerability Reduction: A Case of Al Dagag Village North Kordofan State, Sudan\footnote{\textbf{Contact Address:} Gihan Adam Abdalla, Free University Berlin, Political and Social Sciences, Weichselplaz  2, 12045~Berlin, Germany, \mbox{e-mail}: \email{gihanabdalla@hotmail.com}}\\[0.8ex]}}
\normalsize{\textsc{Gihan Adam Abdalla$^{1}$, Ulrike Schultz$^{2}$, Gihan Adam Abdalla$^{3}$}}
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\begin{itemize*}
\item[]{\small{\textit{$^{1}$Free University Berlin, Political and Social Sciences, Germany}}}
\item[]{\small{\textit{$^{2}$Friedensau Adventist University, Social Sciences, }}}
\item[]{\small{\textit{$^{3}$Fre University Berlin, Political and Social Sciences, }}}
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\index[author]{Adam Abdalla, Gihan}
\index[author]{Schultz, Ulrike}
\index[author]{Adam Abdalla, Gihan}
\begin{center}
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\textbf{Abstract}
\begin{abstract}
\normalsize{
Informal finance significantly contributes to the production of goods and services; and represents the only opportunity for providing credit, savings, insurance services and fund for the poor households in rural Sudan. However, the role of informal finance in vulnerability reduction and its complex institutional arrangement are not acknowledged. Therefore, this study is an attempt to assess the role of informal finance in vulnerability reduction to shocks and risks facing rural households; and to identify the arrangements of informal finance institutionsin rural financial markets. The study was undertaken in Al Dagag village North Kordofan State, Sudan. Theoretical purposive sampling technique was applied to collect the qualitative data using interviews. The sample consisted of 10 in"=depth interviews with borrowers, 2 in"=depth interviews with lenders, and 4 group interviews with informal self"=help groups. The qualitative data was analysed using ATLAS computer program.







The results indicated that informal finance arrangements contribute to assets accumulation, saving of different kinds of reserves, access to basic needs and social services including health and education, funds for agricultural inputs and land preparation, and financial sources diversification, women empowerment, labour provision and safety nets. The results also revealed that informal finance arrangements (reciprocity arrangements like gifts and Nafeer) were available for transferring financial and social resources into a system of mutual insurance, and present an opportunity to cope with temporary harsh conditions (e.g. draughts and floods), and strengthening social relations in the study area. 



The study concluded that informal finance is available and appropriate source of financial and social assets that help in reducing households' exposure to risks and shocks in the study area. Interventions in scaling up informal institutions through provision of funds, capacity building and linking them with formal institutions is highly recommended to sustain and increase the role of informal finance in rural household's vulnerability reduction to shocks and risks.



}

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\noindent \textbf{Keywords:} Coping strategies, diversification, keywords: informal finance, risks and shocks, vulnerability
\index[key]{Coping strategies}
\index[key]{Diversification}
\index[key]{Keywords: informal finance}
\index[key]{Risks and shocks}
\index[key]{Vulnerability}
\end{document}