Locations
Abuk Zuber Andal, with her herd of livestock at her farm in Aweil South Sudan
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) led the launch of a transformative project titled Watershed Approaches for Climate Resilience in Agro-pastoral Landscapes (WACRESS) in South Sudan in May 2024. Barely a year in, the initiative is already achieving significant milestones in strengthening the country's resilience to climate change impacts while promoting sustainable development and economic empowerment among vulnerable communities.
Funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and implemented by World Vision South Sudan in partnership with UNDP and the Ministry of Environment and Forestry, the project is designed to restore ecosystems, strengthen market linkages, and support gender-responsive, climate-smart agricultural practices. Through a participatory watershed-based approach, the project aims to address the root causes of vulnerability and build resilience among agro-pastoral communities, particularly in the face of prolonged conflict and escalating climate change.
South Sudan continues to face significant challenges, including armed conflict, flooding, and severe hunger. One state particularly affected by these issues is Northern Bahr el Ghazal, which is predominantly inhabited by cattle keepers. The region frequently suffers from devastating floods that destroy farms and hinder families from grazing their cattle.
In November of last year, an unknown outbreak in Aweil, impacted many cattle. To combat the spread of the disease, various animal medications were rapidly procured, and Community Animal Health Workers (CAHWs) were mobilized to assist local farmers in collaboration with the State Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries.
One farmer, Abuk Zuber Andal, 54, owned 43 cows, most of which were affected by the disease. She sought help from the CAHW, which ultimately spared her livestock from what could have been a devastating loss.
Abuk's livelihood heavily relies on the income generated from the milk her animals produce. However, managing the health of many cows has proven challenging for women like her. "I lost five cows before, and it has been difficult for me to keep my cows healthy and sometimes they get lost," said Abuk, a mother of four who had to relocate to a rural village where life is more affordable. Originally from Aweil town, she was forced to leave due to high commodity prices, exacerbated by floods and inflation.
Through the WACRESS project, the CAHW treated and vaccinated her cows. "At first, I was so scared when my cows got sick, but after the treatment, my cows got better," Abuk shared.
Abuk Zuber Andal, with her healthy herd of livestock
Now, Abuk's cows are healthy and produce about 12 liters of milk every day, which enables her to provide for her family, including paying school fees for her children.
"These animals are the source of our livelihood. They give my family milk, which I sell to send my children to school. Every day, I see my cows healthy and stronger. This gives me the courage to continue doing my best for my children,” Abuk explains.
With vaccination, her livestock are becoming resilient enough to withstand the shocks of climate change. Abuk's cows are among the 44,850 cows vaccinated in the state so far. This is a significant step toward building the resilience of local communities and ensuring they can face the challenges of climate change and food insecurity.
With a budget of $33million, the WACRESS project aims to reach over 75,000 individuals and improve 15,000 hectares of land with modern agricultural practices, contributing UNDP’s efforts to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) such as Zero Hunger, Gender Equality, and Climate Action.
