South Sudan is ranked seventh globally on the list of the world’s most vulnerable countries to climate change, according to a World Bank report.
The report, however, commended efforts being undertaken by the government to align water-related investments and policies with its commitment to peace and climate change adaptation.
The May-November 2021 floods were the most devastating since the early 1960s, affecting one million people and displacing 300,000 in nine states.
The dramatic flood events of the past three years are a stark reminder of the water-related threats faced by South Sudan.
The World Bank said water insecurity is an existential threat, adding that while flood risks are capturing headlines, they are just one of the many threats from water insecurity.
It added that South Sudanese are vulnerable to flooding, a lack of access to safe drinking water, and open defecation, with women and girls disproportionately impacted by these water-related threats.
The report highlights water security as a critical problem for national development and stability, rather than just a humanitarian need but also noted that the challenges of water in South Sudan are also an opportunity.
It noted that investments should consider the impact on biodiversity and social and conflict dynamics as guided by comprehensive feasibility assessments.
“Although infrastructure will be needed, it will not be enough. Water security in South Sudan will be achieved not solely by trying to control water and divert its flow but also by focusing on increasing community preparedness; delineating areas for water; and making productive use of water for household consumption, livelihoods, and development,” the report said.
Lack of access to safe water supply and sanitation is a major concern for South Sudanese, with more than 60 percent of the population (or about 6.6 million people) using contaminated and at-risk sources, such as surface water and unprotected wells, and 75 percent (8.2 million people) practicing open defecation.
“South Sudan also experiences frequent droughts, especially in the south-east and north-east, which affect the mobility of pastoralists and farmers who rely on natural resources for their livelihoods,” the report added.
The report highlighted that the country needs to strengthen policy and institutional frameworks to guide water sector investments, address the water supply and sanitation crisis, advance disaster risk preparedness and early warning systems, and harness the productive potential of water through investments.
The report shows that South Sudan can use water resources to support productive and resilient livelihoods and ecosystems, particularly the Sudd Wetland, which is estimated to have an economic value of $3.2 billion.
The majority of the damage caused by climate change is related to water, including increased frequency of droughts and floods, changes in river flow patterns, lower water quality, and effects on groundwater availability.
The Vice President, Dr. James Wani Igga, noted that if these risks are not managed, they will have a negative effect on food security, human mobility, community security, ecosystem security, and the economy.
“The productive potential of water can contribute to economic diversification, for example, through investments in irrigation, river transport, and ecosystem protection.”
Meanwhile, Victoria Kwakwa, World Bank Regional Vice President for Eastern and Southern Africa, said South Sudan must leverage its water resources and adopt a long-term development strategy.
She recommended the construction of water facilities, including water storage, to minimize flooding.
Ms. Victoria stressed that preparedness and early warning are essential for responding to floods and droughts.
“Responding to floods and droughts is not just a matter of building infrastructure,” she noted.
“The productive potential of water can contribute to economic diversification, for example, through investments in irrigation, river transport, and ecosystem protection.”
