What's happened
In South Sudan, communities like Akuak are building and maintaining islands using traditional methods to combat rising floodwaters driven by climate change. Recent years have seen catastrophic flooding, displacing hundreds of thousands, but local resilience and new infrastructure projects are helping communities adapt and survive.
What's behind the headline?
South Sudan's ongoing flooding crisis exposes the limits of traditional resilience in the face of climate change. The community-led island-building techniques demonstrate deep cultural adaptation, but they are increasingly strained by rising water levels. The recent infrastructure projects, such as Bor's climate-resilient water treatment plant, show promising steps toward long-term adaptation. However, the persistent displacement and economic decline highlight that these measures are only part of a broader need for regional climate action and political stability. The story underscores how local communities are fighting to preserve their land and way of life amid worsening environmental conditions, but without significant external intervention, their future remains uncertain.
What the papers say
AP News highlights the community's daily struggle to maintain their islands and resist encroaching waters, emphasizing their resilience and traditional knowledge. The Independent provides context on the worsening climate crisis, noting that South Sudan is one of the most vulnerable countries to climate change, with over 375,000 displaced by flooding this year alone. The Guardian reports on Bor's new water treatment plant, a successful example of climate adaptation infrastructure that improves water access for 80% of the town's population. While AP and The Independent focus on community resilience and climate impacts, The Guardian illustrates how infrastructure investments can mitigate some effects of climate change, offering a hopeful outlook amidst ongoing challenges.
How we got here
South Sudan has experienced increasing and unpredictable flooding over recent years, driven by climate change and regional instability. Traditional communities like Akuak have relied on centuries-old techniques of layering mud and plants to create islands, enabling them to stay in their ancestral lands despite rising waters. The country faces ongoing challenges with infrastructure and displacement, with recent efforts focusing on climate-resilient water systems and community adaptation.
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Common question
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How Are Communities in South Sudan Adapting to Climate Change?
South Sudan faces increasing flooding due to climate change, displacing thousands and threatening local livelihoods. Despite these challenges, communities like Akuak are using traditional methods and new infrastructure projects to build resilience. Curious about how these communities are coping and what solutions are making a difference? Below, we explore the ways South Sudanese communities are adapting to a changing climate and what this means for their future.
More on these topics
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South Sudan, officially known as the Republic of South Sudan, is a landlocked country in East-Central Africa. It is bordered to the east by Ethiopia, to the north by Sudan, to the west by the Central African Republic, to the south-west by Democratic Repub