UNMISS Engineering Efforts Strengthen Trade Links in South Sudan’s Remote Regions

(JUBA) – Infrastructure investment continued to play a central role in supporting trade, livelihoods and climate resilience across South Sudan in 2025, as engineering units of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan focused on roads, flood control and basic services that connect communities and markets.

UNMISS engineers spent much of the year repairing and maintaining hundreds of kilometres of key supply routes, improving access for humanitarian deliveries while also supporting local trade. Improved road conditions reduced travel times and transport costs, allowing goods to move more easily between production areas and markets, particularly during dry seasons.

Several major gravel roads remained a priority due to their economic importance. Routes linking Malakal to northern Upper Nile, as well as heavily used roads in and around Aweil, Leer and Gumuruk, continued to serve as vital links for communities that depend on them for food supplies, trade and access to services.

Changing weather patterns posed persistent challenges to these efforts. Roads deteriorated quickly due to heavy rainfall, while unusually high water levels caused severe flooding in areas such as Pibor and Bentiu. Flooding forced some residents to move to higher ground and damaged homes and farmland, disrupting local economic activity.

To limit the impact of floods, UNMISS engineers constructed, reinforced and maintained dykes in vulnerable areas. These efforts helped reduce the size of flooded land and are estimated to have prevented the displacement of around 300,000 people. Keeping communities in place helped protect livelihoods and reduced pressure on local markets and services.

During the rainy season, some roads became impassable despite ongoing maintenance. In these locations, UNMISS shifted focus to improving airstrips to allow passenger, cargo and medical evacuation flights to continue. In places such as Kuajok, upgraded airstrips ensured that essential supplies and personnel could still reach isolated communities.

Access to clean water remained another economic and public health concern. In areas where poor water quality increased the risk of cholera and other waterborne diseases, UNMISS supported the construction of solar powered water towers. These systems provided safer water supplies while offering a durable solution that supports long term community resilience.

Clean up campaigns were also carried out in cooperation with local residents. These activities helped reduce the risk of disease outbreaks while improving public spaces such as schools, health facilities and neighbourhoods. Joint efforts strengthened cooperation between peacekeepers and communities and supported a healthier environment for daily economic activity.

In partnership with the United Nations Mine Action Service and other agencies, UNMISS also supported land clearance initiatives that allowed families to move from temporary shelters to permanent housing. Access to safe land enabled farming and small scale economic activities, supporting household income and food production.

While future climate impacts remain uncertain, infrastructure investment continues to be seen as a key factor in supporting stability and economic activity in South Sudan. Through keeping roads open, reducing flood risks and improving access to basic services, UNMISS engineering projects contributed to trade, livelihoods and resilience across the country in 2025.

Key UNMISS Engineering Contributions in 2025