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United Nations World Food Program (WFP) and the Government of South Sudan on Friday activated the country’s first drought anticipatory plan targeting more than 65,000 people in the Budi and North Kapoeta regions.
Anticipatory action is when humanitarian assistance is triggered before a crisis occurs to protect lives, food security and incomes, explains WFP.
Transformative shift
The agency is now distributing cash assistance and early warning communications to families so they can prepare for drought conditions, strengthening resilience and reducing the risk of worsening hunger.
“Anticipatory action changes the way we manage climate change-related shocks,” said Mutinta Chimuka, WFP Country Director in South Sudan.
“Instead of waiting for drought to exacerbate humanitarian needs, we act on forecasts and evidence to support communities before their livelihoods are disrupted.”
Helping families now
Based on this plan, 52,751 people received cash assistance to help meet their food and livelihood needs before their conditions worsen. This support also aims to strengthen purchasing power and reduce the need for families to adopt negative coping mechanisms.
More than 65,000 people also benefited from early warning communications and awareness campaigns which provides important information on drought preparedness and mitigation, livestock management, water use, and livelihood planning.
Agro-pastoral communities in the Eastern Equator depend heavily on seasonal rainfall for their crops and livestock, the WFP said. Prolonged dry seasons can quickly lead to loss of crops and livestock, reduced incomes, and exacerbated food insecurity.
Forecasts, alerts and financing
These anticipatory plans combine scientific forecasts, early warning information and pre-arranged funding, enabling WFP and its partners to help vulnerable communities to withstand climate shocks, protect development progress and build resilience for the future.
This was made possible through $1.08 million from the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) and $1.37 million from Germany.
Previous investments from Ireland and KOICA helped build an anticipatory action system in South Sudan, including the development of a drought anticipatory action plan and increasing operational readiness for its activation.
