The Ministry of Environment and Forestry in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Global Environment Facility (GEF) and World Vision on Wednesday launched the watershed Approaches Climate Resilience in Agro-pastoral Landscapes (WACRESS) Project.

Josephine Napwon, the national minister of environment and forestry, said during the launching ceremony in Juba, that the project will build the resilience of vulnerable communities to climate change impacts while restoring ecosystems.

She revealed that South Sudan is currently experiencing severe heatwaves, drought and unpredictable rain pattern, adding that her ministry has developed climate change strategies and projects to mitigate and adapt to climate impacts.

‘’The project we are launching today, is one of the projects that will be implemented in Aweil center and Aweil East in Northern Bahr El Ghazal State,’’ said Napwon.

Mesfin Loha, the Country Director for World Vision in South Sudan, said the project is aimed at restoring the ecosystem and build long-term climate resilience among agro-pastoral communities.  

‘’We recognize that responding to climate change including reducing, adapting to and mitigating its impact and risks as well as restoring the ecosystem, requires the collective efforts from various stakeholders,’’ said Loha.

Dominic Sam, the Country Resident Representative for UNDP, said the climate resilience project will pave way for more opportunities and large-scale projects in South Sudan.

‘’This project emphasizes the urgency of addressing climate change which presents significant challenges to societies, ecosystems and economies globally, impacting agriculture, water resources, health, infrastructure and livelihood,’’ said Sam.

The five-year Watershed Approaches for Climate Resilience Project is being funded to a tune of 33 million U.S dollars.

It is co-financed by government and partners including UNDP, Global Environment Facility and World Vision.