South Sudan's English Daily Newspaper
"We Dare where others fear"
By Simon Deng
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) on Tuesday received a contribution of $2.5 million from the Government of Japan to assist communities in South Sudan in adapting to the escalating impacts of climate change and recurrent floods.
The project, titled ‘Enhancing Resilience against Floods in Vulnerable Communities in the Bahr el Ghazal Region through the Promotion of Disaster Management and Adaptive Agroforestry and Livestock Production,’ is part of a broader collaboration with the World Food Programme.
Odagiri Toshio, the Ambassador of Japan to South Sudan, stated that the project represents more than just a financial investment; it is a commitment to building a stronger and more resilient South Sudan.
“The devastating floods that have ravaged parts of South Sudan, affecting hundreds of thousands of people and displacing countless families, highlight the urgent need for immediate and sustained action. Today, we are taking a significant step forward in addressing this urgent challenge by signing this Flood Resilience Project agreement,” said Toshio said during the signing ceremony in Juba yesterday.
“Floods continue to destroy homes, wash away crops, kill livestock, and erode people’s ability to survive,” he added.
Marie-Hélène Verney, the Country Representative for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, remarked that the initiative will help families put food on the table, rebuild their livelihoods, and reduce the risk of further displacement.
“We are grateful to the Government of Japan for its commitment to addressing climate change and recognising the link between climate-related disasters and forced displacement,” said Verney.
Verney revealed that the collaboration underscores the importance of international solidarity in tackling the climate crisis and promoting sustainable development in South Sudan, adding that it will benefit 26,000 people, including 20,000 refugees, internally displaced persons, and returnees, along with 6,000 members of local host communities in Northern Bahr el Ghazal and Warrap States.
“This project will provide communities with the means not only to cope with the next flood but also to adapt, recover, and plan for the future,” Verney said.
“Communities will be supported with practical tools to withstand and recover from climate shocks. This includes installing flood early warning systems, constructing climate-resilient shelters, rehabilitating flood-damaged water points, and installing new ones with solar-powered pumps,” she added.
Last year, more than 1.4 million people were affected by floods and other climate shocks, with an estimated 380,000 forcibly displaced.
