Environment in South Sudan

Natural landscapes and human surroundings are closely connected in South Sudan. The Sudd is a 5.7 million hectare Ramsar wetland that helps regulate Nile water flows and supports hundreds of bird, plant and fish species. Wetlands, rivers, floodplains, savanna, woodland and tropical forests provide water, grazing, fish, food and habitat, but they also face pressure from habitat loss, poaching, pollution, fires and changing rainfall. These pressures can affect pastoralism, farming, fishing and wild-food gathering. Living conditions also depend on water supply, sanitation, drainage, roads, air quality, green space, safety and decisions about land use. Responsibility is divided among ministries, state and local councils, the South Sudan Urban Water Corporation, communities, NGOs and UN agencies. Their roles and practical capacity differ by place. Rapid urban growth around Juba can increase demand for services and land, while remote counties may face limited infrastructure and longer distances to providers. Flooding, drought, displacement and conflict can alter access to services and natural resources within a short time. A useful assessment therefore considers ecological conditions, household access, public infrastructure, land use, hazards and the institutions active in the area together. A polluted water source, blocked drainage channel or loss of grazing land can create both an environmental problem and a direct livelihood or health risk.