(JUBA) – As South Sudan braces for another season of heavy flooding in 2025, United Nations agencies and national authorities are ramping up efforts to prevent a repeat of the 2024 crisis that displaced over 380,000 people and affected more than 1.4 million nationwide. The floods, intensified by climate change, have deepened conflict dynamics, disrupted livelihoods, and triggered widespread displacement in an already fragile political and security environment.
In response, the UN Climate Security Mechanism (CSM) convened a Community of Practice on Climate, Peace and Security (CPS), bringing together key actors to review lessons learned from 2024 and to enhance coordination for the year ahead. Participants included Johnson Nkem, Climate, Peace and Security Advisor to the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), and Felix Omunu, Head of Strategic Planning at OCHA South Sudan.
The forum explored how climate and conflict analyses were integrated into humanitarian planning, with the UN Country Team, development partners, and academic institutions working jointly to craft a conflict-sensitive response. These efforts were designed to prevent the escalating impacts of climate shocks from further fuelling violence, particularly in volatile regions such as Jonglei, Unity, Upper Nile, and Central Equatoria.
As part of the 2024 response, UNMISS and the UN Country Team collaborated with the South Sudanese government on the National Flood Preparedness and Response Plan. The plan, developed under the National Taskforce co-chaired by OCHA and the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, went beyond logistics and aid delivery to also include climate security risk assessments.
At state and county levels, taskforces were equipped with climate and conflict analysis tools. In Bentiu and other key locations, awareness campaigns and community dialogues were conducted to guide flood affected populations toward safer high ground areas.
To support data-driven decision-making, the CPS Advisor’s office developed a real time Flood Management and Conflict Sensitivity Dashboard, which tracked flood levels, displacement, and intercommunal dynamics across 243 high-ground relocation sites. The platform issued early warnings, supported planning, and informed over 30 UNMISS led peacebuilding campaigns.
For example, in Lakes State, UN peacekeepers facilitated dialogue between host communities in Yirol and displaced cattle keepers from Unity State. These talks helped to prevent land-use disputes triggered by overcrowding, resource scarcity, and unresolved historical grievances, such as cattle raids and revenge attacks.
A coordinated humanitarian response was also rolled out nationwide, including water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) services, health interventions, nonfood item distributions, and protection measures. UNMISS and UN Police units helped secure delivery routes and protect humanitarian personnel during operations in high-risk zones.
The collaborative response model gained national recognition. At the 8th Governors’ Forum, conflict-sensitive relocation and resettlement policies informed by the CPS framework were formally endorsed under Resolutions 34 to 36. The new UNMISS mandate, adopted by the UN Security Council on 8 May 2025, reaffirmed the importance of climate security integration and acknowledged the role of peacekeepers in supporting communities during environmental crises.
These field efforts included a workshop in Jonglei where communities co-designed mitigation strategies for extreme flooding. Local knowledge proved vital. In Fangak, youth continued flood defence work even as water rose to their necks, using rudimentary tools to build barriers, underscoring the importance of youth inclusion in future preparedness efforts.
However, several gaps remain. Delays in issuing flood warnings, language barriers, insufficient anticipatory funding, and limited pre-positioning of supplies hindered swift responses. Participants in the UN session called for stronger early warning systems, more proactive planning, and improved community engagement, especially involving women and young people.
Looking ahead, climate variability is likely to worsen South Sudan’s vulnerability. Local rainfall and temperature patterns, compounded by regional systems such as El Niño and La Niña, as well as changing weather across the Nile Basin and East Africa, are expected to amplify flood risks and drive instability. Key wetlands, including the Sudd, are experiencing shifts in water spread and duration, affecting communities’ ability to adapt.
The regions most exposed to floods Upper Nile, Jonglei, Unity, Central and Western Equatoria are also facing ongoing violence. These areas have seen aerial attacks, cattle raiding, and revenge killings, making relocation to high ground more difficult and dangerous. Armed conflict is expected to further limit access for awareness campaigns, relief operations and intercommunal dialogue.
Climate related damage to seasonal agriculture and ecosystems will likely push more people into displacement, deepen hunger and poverty, and trigger further migration, raids and violence.
These overlapping risks point to the need for continued UN cooperation and integrated action. As South Sudan prepares for another flood season, the 2024 experience offers valuable lessons: localised planning, inclusive engagement, and coordinated peacebuilding can help build resilience before disaster strikes again.
Estimated Impact of 2024 Floods
| Indicator | Estimated Impact |
|---|---|
| People affected | 1.4 million |
| Displaced persons | 380,000 |
| Identified high-ground sites | 243 |
| Peacebuilding campaigns held | 30+ |
| Exchange rate (July 2025) | $1 = SSP 4,600 |
| Average cost of emergency kit | SSP 92,000 ($20) per household |
