UN launches plan to safeguard thousands in South Sudan's Eastern Equatoria

South Sudan’s Eastern Equatoria state is facing a heightened risk of drought as the dry season approaches, prompting the United Nations to launch a new preparedness initiative. The plan, developed in partnership with the national government and local NGOs, seeks to safeguard thousands of residents before the most severe impacts of the water‑scarce period take hold.

Key components of the strategy include the distribution of emergency food rations, the installation of water harvesting systems, and the deployment of early‑warning monitoring teams to track rainfall and river levels. The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) will coordinate with the World Food Programme (WFP) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) to ensure that aid reaches vulnerable households in time. The initiative is designed to cover an estimated 30,000 people across several rural districts, with a focus on children, pregnant women, and livestock owners who are most at risk from food insecurity and disease.

By implementing these measures ahead of the peak drought period, the UN-backed plan aims to reduce the likelihood of widespread famine and health crises in Eastern Equatoria. The proactive approach underscores the international community’s commitment to mitigating climate‑related risks in one of South Sudan’s most vulnerable regions.