In brief
In Juba, 17‑ and 18‑year‑old activists call on South Sudan’s government and the world to deliver climate‑resilient infrastructure and immediate aid as COP31 looms. They point to floods, drought and extreme heat that already disrupt education and food security. The call highlights the need for early warning systems, sustainable agriculture and clean energy to safeguard vulnerable families.
At a climate‑focused gathering in Juba on 30 October, two teenage activists – 17‑year‑old Siama Santino and 18‑year‑old Amoko Ronny – urged South Sudan’s national authorities and international donors to replace lofty climate‑change promises with hands‑on projects that shield schools, children and families from flooding, heat and food shortages.
The speakers took the stage at a joint event organized by Save the Children and the Ministry of Environment and Forestry. The meeting, held in the capital’s early‑morning light, was part of a broader push across the country to galvanise action as the world heads to the 31st session of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, COP31, in Antalya, Turkey, from 9 to 20 November.
Climate Conditions in South Sudan
South Sudan’s climate has become a “live map of danger” for its residents, experts argue, with floods, droughts and scorching heat hitting increasingly hard. In 2024, the country experienced a two‑week period of extreme heat that forced children to leave classrooms, while recurrent floods destroyed crops and led to severe food shortages that pushed many families into hunger.
Siama Santino, who attends school in a flood‑stricken area, shared how the daily trek to school is a spectacle of adaptation.
Siama Santino
17‑year‑old student, Juba
“Every morning when you wake up, you have to think of how much you are going to move in water or first remove your shoes to reach school,” she told Xinhua in a recent interview. “Children must be the top priority.”
Ronny, a representative of the children’s council, viewed climate shocks as a sharp economic bite that worsened poverty across his community.
Amoko Ronny
18‑year‑old student, Juba
“The extreme heat forced local children out of classrooms for two weeks in 2024, while recurring floods destroyed crops, compounding severe food shortages and leaving many families unable to afford basic meals,” he said. “Children must be the top priority.”
Ronny called on the government and civil society to invest in climate education, resilient school infrastructure and early‑warning systems. He also urged a move towards sustainable agriculture and clean energy, stressing the need for practical alternatives to reduce dependence on charcoal and curb environmental degradation.
The Call for Action Ahead of COP31
Both activists demanded climate‑resilient school infrastructure, upgraded early‑warning systems and direct relief for families displaced by flooding and other climate disasters. They highlighted the need for comprehensive adaptation plans that embed climate resilience into education and national strategies.
Siama urged world leaders to prioritise immediate assistance for households displaced by climate disasters and to expand climate education and emergency preparedness training.
Lack of concrete funds and delay in implementing protective measures leave many South Sudanese families stranded in the path of unavoidable weather extremes. The activists’ pleas echo broader doubts about whether governments can keep their stew‑looking promises, especially as the world’s most vulnerable communities are on the front lines.
Within the gathering, Save the Children’s representative emphasized the urgency of building climate‑resilient schools, acknowledging that the country’s fragile educational infrastructure often collapses during floods and heatwaves.
While the activists’ demands remain unfulfilled, South Sudan’s climate crisis has attracted international attention as COP31 approaches. The country’s participation is seen as a potential turning point for securing donor financing that could transform policy into practice.
Open questions remain about the allocation of resources and the timeline for concrete action. How will the government prioritise funding for climate‑resilient schools and early‑warning systems? Will international donors match the urgency expressed by these youth? And how will South Sudan navigate the complex logistics of building sustainable infrastructure amid ongoing insecurity and limited capacity?
For now, the teenage voices from Juba have punctuated the national conversation with a stark reminder that climate change, if unaddressed, will continue to erode education, health and livelihoods. Their call—anchored in daily hardship, direct experience and urgent needs—stands as a vivid plea for swift, tangible action as the world reaches a pivotal climate summit.
