S Sudan, Partners Ink $33 Million Climate Resilience Deal

By Deng Machol  

 JUBA, South Sudan - South Sudan, the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), and World Vision signed a 33-million-dollar climate resilience deal in a significant step towards tackling severe heat waves, floods, and droughts in the world's youngest nation. 
With funding support from the Global Environment Facility, USD33,392,335, the five-year project will be implemented in Aweil Center and Aweil East county
es in Northern Bahr el Ghazal State.

The project also aims to benefit over 75,000 people and restore over 15,000 hectares of land.

The agreement aims to put the Watershed Approaches for Climate Resilience in Agro-pastoral Landscapes (WACRESS) Project into action. 

Scholars base the Watershed Approach on the idea that the watershed level is the best place to address many water quality issues, such as the buildup of pollutants.

In addition, a watershed focus helps identify the most cost-effective pollution control strategies to meet clean water goals. 

This project aims to reduce the impacts of climate change, hunger, and malnutrition on children and vulnerable populations by empowering South Sudanese communities to adopt climate-smart practices and restore ecosystems.

Josephine Napwon Cosmos, Minister of Environment and Forestry, said the project would mitigate and adapt to the impacts of climate change.

"The country is currently experiencing severe heat waves, droughts, and unpredictable rain patterns," said Napwon. 

However, climate change is currently the number one issue affecting the world, and South Sudan is among the countries in that region that are most affected. 

Dr. Mesfin Loha, World Vision South Sudan Country Director, explained that the project would reduce hunger and malnutrition in the country.

“It comes at a time when World Vision, globally, is saying ENOUGH to child hunger and malnutrition," said Loha. Together, we can build a more resilient and sustainable future for all children and vulnerable communities in South Sudan".

It will equip extension agencies to support communities in adopting gender-responsive, climate-smart agricultural practices and diversify livelihoods using hands-on, farmer-field-based approaches.

"From implementing community-based conservation projects to advocating for policy reforms, UNDP endeavors to ensure the long-term health and resilience of our planet,” said Dominic Sam, UNDP Resident Representative.

The WACRESS Project will have its national launch on May 14, 2024, followed by an inception workshop in Aweil, Northern Bahr el Ghazal, on 21-23 May 2024.