By Brian Kiprono - Reporter
South Sudan, 11 July 2026 - South Sudan has activated its first-ever drought anticipatory action plan, marking a shift from responding to humanitarian crises after they occur to acting before disaster strikes.
The initiative, launched jointly by the Government of South Sudan and the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP), aims to protect more than 65,000 people in Eastern Equatoria State as forecasts point to worsening drought conditions.
Instead of waiting for crops to fail and families to lose their livelihoods, the programme is delivering cash assistance and early warning information to help communities prepare for the expected dry spell.
"Anticipatory action is transforming the way we manage climate-related shocks," said WFP Country Director in South Sudan, Mutinta Chimuka.
"Rather than wait for drought to deepen humanitarian needs, we are acting based on forecasts and evidence to support communities before livelihoods are disrupted."
The programme targets communities in Budi and Kapoeta North counties, where families depend heavily on seasonal rainfall for farming and livestock keeping. Prolonged droughts in the region often result in crop failure, livestock deaths, falling household incomes and worsening food insecurity.
Under the plan, 52,751 people are receiving cash transfers to help them buy food and protect their livelihoods before conditions deteriorate. The assistance is also intended to reduce the need for desperate coping strategies such as selling productive assets or skipping meals.
In addition, more than 65,000 people are receiving early warning messages and practical guidance on drought preparedness, water conservation, livestock management and livelihood planning.
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According to WFP, anticipatory action allows humanitarian agencies to intervene before a crisis reaches its peak, helping communities protect lives, food security and incomes while reducing the long-term humanitarian and economic costs of disasters.
The programme combines scientific weather forecasts, early warning systems and pre-arranged financing to trigger assistance as soon as drought indicators reach critical levels.
The activation has been supported by US$1.08 million from the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) and US$1.37 million from Germany. Earlier investments by the Government of Ireland and KOICA helped establish South Sudan's anticipatory action system and improve the country's readiness to respond to climate-related emergencies.
WFP said the approach is designed to strengthen community resilience by helping vulnerable households withstand climate shocks before they escalate into full-scale humanitarian emergencies.
As climate change continues to increase the frequency and severity of droughts across East Africa, humanitarian agencies are increasingly shifting towards forecast-based action, with South Sudan's new programme serving as a milestone in the country's efforts to protect vulnerable communities before disaster unfolds.
South Sudan Launches First Drought Response Before Crisis Hits, Protecting 65,000 People
Government joins hands with WFP to protect more than 65,000 people in Eastern Equatoria State as forecasts point to worsening drought conditions.