Enhancing pastoral adaptation strategies in Wau and Jur River Counties, South Sudan: resilience to recurrent climate, economic and social shocks and crises

This policy brief draws on data collected in 2023 and 2024 to investigate how pastoralist communities in Wau and Jur River counties of South Sudan adapt their livelihood strategies in response to recurrent droughts, armed conflict, economic volatility, floods, and other shocks and crises. Residents of the research area live under constant threat and within an overall context of gender inequality. Despite significant investment from donors and the national government, interventions have failed to create sustainable solutions. As the world’s youngest nation, South Sudan may lack both the experience and resources to address these severe challenges.

Key messages

• To protect livelihoods from the adverse effects of climate change, government and development partners should catalyse the adoption of alternative livelihood activities alongside traditional livestock keeping and crop production. This requires capacity development, vocational training, business development services and financial services in the community.
• They should promote gender and youth inclusion in decision-making and economic participation to mitigate patriarchal social systems. This means facilitating Village Savings and Loans Associations (VSLAs) and gendertargeted support to women and youth.
• They should support integrated conflict resolution programmes that promote inclusive resource sharing. Government and development partners must engage with local community leaders, community-based conflict resolution initiatives and strategies for resource management to reduce tensions between pastoralists and crop cultivators.