World Vision signs $33M climate resilience project with the Government of South Sudan and UNDP

02 May 2024, Juba City—In a significant step towards climate resilience, the South Sudan Government, through the Ministry of Environment and Forestry, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and World Vision International South Sudan, has signed an agreement to implement the Watershed Approaches for Climate Resilience in Agro-pastoral Landscapes (WACRESS) Project. This project, which is aimed at building the resilience of vulnerable communities to climate change impacts while restoring ecosystems, holds immense potential for our region.

With funding support from the Global Environment Facility, the USD33,392,335 project will be implemented in Aweil Centre and Aweil East in Northern Bahr el Ghazal State from March 2024 to December 2028. The project aims to benefit over 75,000 people and restore over 15,000 hectares of land.

The project aims to bring together the expertise of the national Ministry of Environment and Forestry, World Vision, UNDP, and local communities to re-establish and strengthen market linkages and agricultural value chains. It will equip extension agencies to support communities in adopting gender-responsive, climate-smart agricultural practices and diversify livelihoods using hands-on, farmer-field-based approaches. 

“Climate Change is currently the number one threat affecting the world and South Sudan is among the countries in the region that is most affected. The country is currently experiencing severe heat waves, droughts and unpredictable rain patterns. To address these impacts, the ministry of Environment and Forestry has developed climate change strategies and projects to mitigate and adapt to these impacts.  The Project implementation MOU we are signing today is one of the projects that will be implemented in Aweil Center and Aweil East in Northern Bahr El Ghazal State,” said Hon. Josephine Napwon, Minister of Environment and Forestry.

“The signing of this MOU mark the official partnership between the Ministry of Environment and Forestry World Vision South Sudan, that will compliment on our partnership with UNDP, working together to build the resilience of our local communities to adapt to climate change,” she furthered.

"From implementing community-based conservation projects to advocating for policy reforms, UNDP endeavors to ensure the long-term health and resilience of our planet,” re-iterated Mr. Dominic Sam, UNDP Resident Representative.

The project targets to reduce the impacts of climate change, hunger, and malnutrition on children and vulnerable populations by empowering South Sudanese communities to adopt climate-smart practices and restore ecosystems. 

“It comes at a time when World Vision, globally, is saying ENOUGH to child hunger and malnutrition. Together, we can build a more resilient and sustainable future for all children and vulnerable communities in South Sudan,” said Dr. Mesfin Loha, World Vision South Sudan Country Director.

The WACRESS Project will have its national launch on 14 May 2024 to be followed by an inception workshop in Aweil, Northern Bahr el Ghazal on 21-23 May 2024.

This press release is also available on ReliefWeb.

For more information

Diwa Aquino-Gacosta

Senior Manager, Advocacy and Communications

World Vision South Sudan

Diwa_aquino-gacosta@wvi.org, +211921885991