UNDP-Funded Climate Resilience Project Launched to Support Communities in Terekeka
By George J. Wed Alla
A new climate change adaptation project has been launched in Terekeka County aimed at strengthening the resilience of local communities to climate shocks.
The initiative was unveiled during an inception workshop convened on Thursday, August 27, by the Africa Democracy and Resilience Network (ADRNET) with funding from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). The meeting brought together local government authorities, community representatives, and other key stakeholders.
The project, titled “Strengthening the Capacity of Government and Communities in South Sudan to Adapt to Climate Change in Terekeka County,” seeks to enhance the preparedness and response capacity of both local institutions and communities to climate-related challenges.
According to ADRNET, the intervention will focus on promoting climate-smart livelihoods, environmental conservation, and public awareness on climate change, while fostering community-led adaptation initiatives.
The project will prioritize women, youth, farmers, and other vulnerable groups who are disproportionately affected by climate change.
It will employ Ecosystem-Based Adaptation (EbA) approaches, which leverage the protection, restoration, and sustainable management of natural ecosystems to mitigate climate risks and build long-term resilience.
The initiative also aims to strengthen collaboration and coordination among government institutions, local communities, development partners, and other actors engaged in environmental protection and climate action.
Terekeka County is among the most climate-vulnerable areas in South Sudan, facing recurrent seasonal flooding, erratic rainfall, and prolonged dry spells. The county has been identified as a priority area for ecosystem-based adaptation and climate-resilient livelihoods under previous UNDP-supported programmes.
ADRNET underscored that active community participation will be central to the success of the project, particularly in advancing sustainable livelihoods and safeguarding natural resources.
The organization expressed optimism that the project will contribute significantly to building climate-resilient communities while supporting sustainable development in Terekeka County and the wider Central Equatoria State.
