An extensionist holding a meeting for village women in order to interest them in community forestry and to develop participation in tree planting activities. She is explaining how to fill in a questionnaire on forestry. - - Fuelwood Development for Energy: GCP/SUD/033/NET. In Sudan, 80 percent of the population relies on trees for the provision of its energy requirements. Rural people mostly use firewood but, in the towns, many people have now turned to charcoal. Over the last 20 years, it is estimated that a third of Sudan's forests have disappeared and there is now critical pressure on the remaining reserves. Reforestation has therefore become an urgent priority and the forestry department is working with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and other agencies on a range of programmes aimed at containing the energy crisis and restoring forest resources around the country. The project began in 1983 with a contribution of US$4 634 738 from the government of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.