<\/p>\n
The initiative, launched by the government and the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP), targets more than 65 000 people in Eastern Equatoria state, particularly in Budi and Kapoeta North counties, where growing drought risks threaten livelihoods and agricultural production.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
The programme marks a shift in how humanitarian assistance is delivered. Rather than responding after a crisis has escalated, support is being provided based on forecasts and early warning indicators to help communities prepare for expected drought conditions.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
WFP Country Director in South Sudan Mutinta Chimuka said anticipatory action is changing the way climate-related disasters are managed. \u201cRather than wait for drought to deepen humanitarian needs, we are acting based on forecasts and evidence to support communities before livelihoods are disrupted,\u201d said Chimuka.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Under the plan, 52 751 people are receiving cash assistance to help cover essential food and livelihood needs before conditions deteriorate further. The support is aimed at helping households maintain purchasing power and avoid negative coping strategies such as selling livestock or reducing food consumption.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
In addition to financial assistance, more than 65 000 people are benefiting from awareness campaigns and early warning communications. The information focuses on drought preparedness, water management, livestock protection and livelihood planning.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Eastern Equatoria\u2019s agro-pastoral communities rely heavily on seasonal rainfall for crop production and livestock farming. Prolonged periods of below-average rainfall can quickly result in crop failures, livestock losses and declining household incomes, increasing the risk of hunger.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
The anticipatory action framework combines scientific weather forecasts, early warning systems and pre-arranged financing to trigger assistance before a crisis unfolds. According to WFP, the approach helps communities withstand climate shocks while protecting development gains and building long-term resilience.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
The activation of the plan was supported by approximately $2.45 million in funding, including $1.08 million from the Korea International Cooperation Agency and $1.37 million from Germany.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Previous support from Ireland and the Korea International Cooperation Agency helped establish South Sudan\u2019s anticipatory action system, including the development of the drought preparedness plan and the operational systems needed to activate assistance when warning thresholds are reached.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
WFP said the initiative demonstrates how early action can reduce humanitarian needs, protect livelihoods and strengthen resilience as climate-related risks become more frequent across the region.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
–UN\/ChannelAfrica–<\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":39370,"template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false},"news-type":[78,26],"class_list":["post-39369","news","type-news","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","news-type-featured","news-type-general_news","entry"],"acf":{"short_description":"South Sudan has activated its first anticipatory drought response plan as authorities and humanitarian agencies seek to protect vulnerable communities before severe dry conditions worsen food insecurity.","published_date":"","news_description":"South Sudan has activated its first anticipatory drought response plan as authorities and humanitarian agencies seek to protect vulnerable communities before severe dry conditions worsen food insecurity.","form_embed":"","author":"","image_caption":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.channelafrica.co.za\/channelafrica\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/news\/39369","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.channelafrica.co.za\/channelafrica\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/news"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.channelafrica.co.za\/channelafrica\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/news"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.channelafrica.co.za\/channelafrica\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/news\/39369\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":39371,"href":"https:\/\/www.channelafrica.co.za\/channelafrica\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/news\/39369\/revisions\/39371"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.channelafrica.co.za\/channelafrica\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/39370"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.channelafrica.co.za\/channelafrica\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=39369"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"news-type","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.channelafrica.co.za\/channelafrica\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/news-type?post=39369"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}