South Sudan families battle rising Nile floods to survive
## Environmental Impact and Community Adaptation in South Sudan
Environmental Impact and Community Adaptation in South Sudan
In the Akuak islands, located within the channels formed by the Nile in a vast swamp, families sustain themselves primarily through fishing and invest significant time in maintaining their islands. This area, known as toich in the Dinka language, is characterized by water, grass, and papyrus.
According to the Norwegian Foreign Policy Institute, South Sudan is particularly vulnerable to flood risks. The population is significantly exposed to seasonal riverine floods, which have intensified in recent years. Historically, floodwaters receded during the dry season from November to January, but consecutive years of severe flooding have permanently altered the landscape.
Research indicates that increased sea-surface temperatures, leading to heavier rainfall in East Africa, may contribute to the permanent expansion of the Sudd, Africa's largest wetland, located in South Sudan’s Nile floodplain, north of Bor.
Unlike other communities in Jonglei state, the Akuak have adapted to the flooding. While others were displaced with their cattle in 2020, the Akuak had already begun adapting. Traditionally cattle herders, they stopped keeping cattle in the late 1980s due to rising water levels, choosing instead to focus on fishing.
In the Akuak islands, located within the channels formed by the Nile in a vast swamp, families sustain themselves primarily through fishing and invest significant time in maintaining their islands.
Chief Makech Kuol Kuany, a traditional leader, explains that the community chose their land over cattle, adapting their lifestyle to the changing environment. Community member Anyeth Manyang describes how the islands are built using grass and soil, a skill passed down through generations.
South Sudan ranks as the 7th most vulnerable country to climate change worldwide. This year, flooding displaced over 375,000 people, according to UNOCHA, the UN agency coordinating disaster aid. The timeline for water recession remains uncertain.
Resident Ayen Deng Duot, a mother of six, is engaged in efforts to expand the platform her home rests on, using spongy plants and clay. The community faces an ongoing battle against water, as South Sudan experiences severe flooding for the sixth consecutive year.
Some community members hope for a return of dry land to resume agriculture. Chief Kuany remains cautiously optimistic, recalling historical flooding in the 1960s that eventually subsided. Despite recent challenges, approximately 2,000 Akuak people continue to endure on the islands, with fishing remaining central to their sustenance and livelihood.
Based on reporting by Africanews.
