New GCF Project Launched: Enhancing Climate Resilience in Flood-Prone Areas in Northwestern South Sudan

South Sudan is among the most flood-exposed countries globally, with over 1.4 million people affected by floods in 2024 alone. The country hosts more than 633,000 refugees and over 1.9 million internally displaced persons, while also receiving over 880,000 South Sudanese returnees due to conflict in neighboring Sudan (UNHCR May 2026). This influx intensifies competition over already scarce resources – water, land, firewood – exacerbating tensions and deepening environmental degradation.

The Government of the Republic of South Sudan, through the Ministry of Environment and Forestry as the National Designated Authority (NDA) to the Green Climate Fund (GCF), is officially launching the Enhancing Climate Resilience in Flood-Prone Areas in Northwestern South Sudan (ECRF) project.

The ECRF project is a climate adaptation initiative supported by the Green Climate Fund (GCF), with additional co-financing from the Government of Japan, and implemented in partnership with the World Food Programme (WFP) as the Accredited Entity (AE) to the Green Climate Fund (GCF), UNHCR, and the Government of South Sudan through the Ministry of Environment and Forestry as the Lead Government Implementing Partner (LGIP).

The project will focus on strengthening the resilience of vulnerable communities in flood-affected areas of Northern Bahr el Ghazal and Warrap States through:

• Improved water and land management 
• Climate-resilient agriculture 
• Livelihood diversification 
• Strengthened climate information and disaster risk management systems 

As South Sudan’s first single-country project supported by GCF, the initiative places strong emphasis on supporting both displaced and host communities, ensuring inclusive and sustainable adaptation solutions. The Government of the Republic of South Sudan, through its National Adaptation Plan (NAP) and Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), has committed to climate-inclusive development. The country’s pledges from the 2023 Global Refugee Forum reinforce commitments to enhance livelihoods, education and climate resilience for refugees, returnees, and host communities.   

For more information, please contact Pierre Fichter ([email protected]).