The Government of South Sudan has announced the approval of a USD50 million climate adaptation project from the Green Climate Fund, complemented by USD2.5 million in co-financing from Japan.
The initiative aims to boost climate resilience in flood-prone areas of northeastern South Sudan, with implementation set to commence in early 2026.
Environment and Forestry Minister Garang Mabior Garang said the project will be jointly implemented by his office, the World Food Programme (WFP), and UNHCR.
The project is designed to strengthen community resilience through water management, agriculture, sustainable livelihoods, climate information, and disaster risk management services.
“The project places special emphasis on displaced and host communities, ensuring inclusive adaptation solutions that leave no one behind,” the minister said.
He added that the initiative will help South Sudan address climate shocks and build resilient communities capable of withstanding environmental challenges.
This is the first single-country project approved by the Green Climate Fund for South Sudan. Minister Garang noted that it represents the culmination of a decade-long partnership between the country and the Fund, following South Sudan’s accession to the Paris Agreement in 2016 and its ratification in 2021.
Earlier support included a USD300,000 readiness grant in 2018, which helped establish South Sudan’s first Green Climate Fund program.
In March 2025, Green Climate Fund Executive Director Mafalda Duarte visited Juba, reaffirming the fund’s commitment to increasing investments in South Sudan.
Since then, two landmark projects have been approved: the BRACE project with Save the Children and the Ministry of General Education, and now the flood resilience project with WFP, UNHCR, and the Ministry of Environment and Forestry.
Garang emphasized that the initiative aligns with South Sudan’s nationally determined contributions and national adaptation plan, promoting climate-smart infrastructure, sustainable water and land management, and diversified livelihoods.
He expressed gratitude to the Green Climate Fund, the Government of Japan, UN agencies, and all partners supporting South Sudan in building a climate-resilient future.
For his part, Adham Effendi, Deputy Country Director for WFP for Operations in South Sudan, hailed the project as a success for the government’s leadership in attracting global climate investments.
“It demonstrates the Fund’s commitment to countries facing severe climate, economic, and social challenges,” he said.
Effendi thanked the Government of Japan for co-financing and emphasized WFP’s role in supporting displaced and host communities in northern Bahr el Ghazal and Warrap states.
He noted that the project adopts principles of country ownership, inclusivity, and sustainability, strengthening government capacity while enabling institutions and communities to put skills and knowledge into practice.
Meanwhile, Mesfin Degefu, UNHCR Deputy Country Representative for South Sudan, described the project as a major step forward for flood-affected communities in northern Barghazal and Warrap states.
“This is an important moment for the people of South Sudan, especially for the families who have been living through years of devastating floods,” he said.
Degefu added that the initiative will strengthen the livelihoods and resilience of around 25,000 people through flood risk management, climate-smart agriculture, resilient infrastructure, and institutional capacity building.
Key activities include installing community-based early warning systems, constructing 500 semi-permanent climate-resilient shelters, rehabilitating water and sanitation facilities, supporting solar-powered irrigation, and planting 100,000 fruit and medicinal trees.
“We deeply appreciate the Government of Japan for its contribution and reaffirm our full commitment to working alongside the government and host communities to expand such interventions to other states,” Degefu stated.