Climate change is making life difficult across the world, but is even harder in South Sudan, a country already burdened by economic struggles, political instability, and a fragile education system.
The recent extreme heatwave that led to school closures and children collapsing from heatstroke is a stark reminder of the growing climate crisis. For Sudanese women and children, the impacts are particularly devastating.
In February, South Sudan experienced record-breaking temperatures exceeding 42°C (107°F), pushing the country into an emergency. Schools were forced to close for two weeks, and authorities advised people to stay indoors and hydrated.
However, for many South Sudanese, these precautions are nearly impossible to follow.
Homes are often built with iron-sheet roofs which absorb and trap heat, turning living spaces into ovens. Most lack access to cooling systems, electricity, or even basic ventilation. One-third of Juba’s residents do not have clean drinking water, making hydration a daily struggle. With only 1% of the city covered in green spaces, shade is scarce, leaving people with little relief from the scorching heat.
Climate scientists warn that as global temperatures rise, such extreme heatwaves could occur every 10 years, and if warming continues at the current pace, they could become annual events by the end of the century.
Silence Has Been Dangerous
The heat is particularly dangerous for pregnant women and newborns, increasing the risks of miscarriages, stillbirths, and life-threatening childbirth complications.
South Sudan already has one of the world’s highest maternal mortality rates, with 1,223 women dying per 100,000 births. With rising temperatures making pregnancies even riskier, women are facing a growing crisis.
For many expectant mothers, hospitals are far away, and healthcare facilities are underfunded. The extreme heat, combined with poor maternal care, puts thousands of lives at risk. This is not just a public health emergency, it is a human rights crisis.
Who is Responsible for the Crisis?
Despite contributing almost nothing to global greenhouse gas emissions, South Sudan is suffering some of the worst consequences of climate change. Wealthier nations, responsible for the majority of fossil fuel emissions, have largely ignored the devastating impact their actions have on vulnerable countries like South Sudan.
A study by World Weather Attribution found that climate change made South Sudan’s heatwave 10 times more likely and 2°C hotter than it would have been in pre-industrial times. Yet, the global response remains inadequate, leaving the country to face the worst of a crisis it did not create.
What Adaptation Mechanisms Are Available
Climate experts suggest several measures that could help reduce the impact of extreme heat. Improving ventilation in homes and schools, planting more trees for natural shade, and painting buildings in lighter colors to reflect heat could help lower temperatures. Adjusting school calendars and class schedules to avoid the hottest times of the day could also minimize disruptions to education.
While these solutions can provide some relief, they are not enough. South Sudan needs urgent international support to invest in climate adaptation strategies, water infrastructure, and sustainable energy solutions.
The Ripple Effect: Climate Change and Food Security
The crisis extends beyond South Sudan. Climate change is also worsening food insecurity in Nigeria, where an estimated 25 million people were undernourished in 2018, a shocking 180% increase over the previous decade. Droughts, floods, and rising temperatures are making it harder for farmers to grow food, pushing millions closer to hunger.
Without urgent intervention, the situation will only deteriorate. Countries like South Sudan and Nigeria need immediate action from policymakers, farmers, and the international community to ensure food sustainability for their growing populations.
What Next
The countries that have contributed the most to climate change must step up and support nations like South Sudan in adapting to the worsening climate crisis.
From policy reforms to climate adaptation funding, the world must act now to protect women, children, and entire communities from a disaster they did not cause. If nothing is done, the consequences will only grow more severe, deepening inequality and pushing millions toward an uncertain future.
