(JUBA) – South Sudan has officially validated its national roadmap for implementing early warning systems as part of a global initiative to ensure every person on the planet is protected from disasters by 2027. The plan was endorsed during a national workshop held in Juba on 14 May, with support from key international agencies.
The workshop was conducted under the Early Warnings for All (EW4All) initiative, a collaborative effort driven by four major international organisations: the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR), the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC). A similar validation workshop was held in Kampala, Uganda, on 26 May.
The primary aim of the national roadmap is to provide a clear strategy for South Sudan’s government to develop people-centred early warning systems capable of addressing increasing climate related hazards. The roadmap outlines existing gaps, expected outcomes, key activities, responsible institutions, and estimated budgets, creating a step by step framework for implementation from 2025 to 2028.
The planning process was inclusive and participatory. It involved two rounds of in person consultations attended by representatives from national ministries, technical agencies and the four EW4All partners. Input was gathered through group discussions, reviews of early drafts, and feedback sessions. The final roadmap incorporates these contributions and sets a foundation for coordinated investment and planning at both national and local levels.
South Sudan faces multiple and overlapping hazards, including riverine and flash floods, heatwaves, wildfires and landslides. Despite its vulnerability, the country’s current early warning systems remain underdeveloped due to limited meteorological and hydrological infrastructure, gaps in data collection, short-term funding cycles, and a lack of trained personnel.
Further limitations include the absence of early action protocols, weak coordination across agencies, and the lack of standard operating procedures or clear governance frameworks. The roadmap aims to address these deficiencies and provide a coordinated path forward.
South Sudan’s roadmap was developed with significant input from local institutions, including the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Risk Management (MHADRM), the Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation (MWRI), the Ministry of Information, Communication and Postal Services, and the South Sudan Meteorological Service (SSMS).
Key South Sudan Roadmap Features (2025–2028)
| Component | Details |
|---|---|
| Lead Agencies | MHADRM, MWRI, SSMS |
| Key Hazards | Floods, heatwaves, fires, landslides |
| Major Gaps Identified | Lack of SOPs, skilled staff, response plans |
| Timeframe | 2025–2028 |
| International Support | WMO, UNDRR, ITU, IFRC |
In neighbouring Uganda, a similar roadmap has been adopted to address increasing threats such as landslides, droughts, and thunderstorms. Uganda’s plan also spans 2025 to 2028 and is designed to enhance coordination across agencies and improve hazard detection, communication, and response.
Ugandan institutions contributing to their roadmap included the Office of the Prime Minister – Ministry of Relief, Disaster Preparedness and Refugees (OPM-MoRDPR), the Ministry of Water and Environment (MWE), the Department of Meteorological Services (DMS), the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance (MoICTNG), and the Uganda Red Cross Society (URCS).
Both countries face serious climate and environmental risks but are now working to build resilient systems that can warn communities in time to act. The regional effort also reflects growing momentum behind the EW4All initiative, first launched by the United Nations in 2022.
