Climate risk profile: South Sudan

This profile provides an overview of climate risk issues in South Sudan, including how climate change will impact agriculture and pastoralism, water resources and ecosystems. The brief includes information on South Sudan, the climate and projected changes and information on sector impacts and vulnerabilities to climate change, the policy context and ongoing climate change projects in South Sudan. 

As the youngest and one of the least developed countries in the world, South Sudan faces several development challenges due to decades of political instability, poverty and persistent food insecurity, all of which are exacerbated by climate change. With about 50 percent of the population living below the national poverty line, a weak economy, and ongoing internal conflict, South Sudan also ranks among the most fragile states in the world. It has one of the richest agricultural areas in Africa with fertile soils and abundant water, but frequent flooding, droughts, ongoing conflict and the displacement of millions of people have drastically reduced food production, to the point where an estimated 7.5 million people are currently considered food insecure.