The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) has warned that natural disasters such as floods and droughts have increased in recent days in parts of Jonglei, Unity and Eastern Equatoria states.
Speaking during a workshop at Juba Grand Hotel last week, Arshad Khan, UNEP’s head in South Sudan, said climate change across the country is to blame for increased hunger and massive displacement of people.
“If you look at the trends and changes in the last days in South Sudan like rains and weather, it is very epidemic that climate change is happening in this country and it has some impact on the communities…like for example, we are witnessing the severe impact in some areas like Kapoeta and other parts of Eastern Equatoria causing insecurity, “he said.
Khan further said it is of utmost importance that the government invests in early warning systems and preparedness measures to curb the effects of climate change.
“We need to build the capacity of the government to understand these issues of adaption and mitigation. The other thing is to raise the awareness of the communities on these issues of droughts and floods and then build their capacity,” he said.
Khan added that once communities are aware of changing climate, they are able to minimize the impact on their livelihoods.
For his part, Joseph Africano Bartel, the Undersecretary in the Ministry of Environment and Forestry, said there are no legal provisions for the protection of the environment.
He added that oil companies operating in the country do not adhere to international norms for the protection of the environment.
Bartel noted they have received reports of deaths and abnormalities in birds, fish, cattle and children in oil producing areas.
Photo: South Sudan and UNEP celebrate International Day for The Preservation of the Ozone Layer in September, 2014/UNEP