The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP), in partnership with the Government of South Sudan, has activated the country’s first-ever drought anticipatory action plan to help more than 65,000 people prepare for the impacts of severe drought in Budi and Kapoeta North counties. The initiative provides humanitarian assistance before the crisis worsens, helping vulnerable communities protect their food security and livelihoods.
As drought conditions intensify in Eastern Equatoria, WFP is distributing cash assistance to 52,751 people while delivering early warning messages and preparedness information to households. The support enables families to meet essential food and livelihood needs, improve purchasing power, and reduce the need for harmful coping strategies before drought conditions become critical.
The programme also promotes drought preparedness through awareness campaigns focused on livestock management, efficient water use, and livelihood planning. These measures are especially important for Eastern Equatoria’s agro-pastoral communities, which rely heavily on seasonal rainfall for farming and livestock production.
The activation of the drought anticipatory action plan has been supported by funding from the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) and Germany, while earlier investments from Ireland and KOICA helped establish South Sudan’s anticipatory action system. By combining scientific weather forecasts, early warning systems, and pre-arranged financing, WFP and its partners are strengthening community resilience and reducing the humanitarian and economic impacts of climate-related drought.
