Country Brief South Sudan - Climate Change, Mobility, and Conflict Dynamics (April 2026)

Country: South Sudan Source: Mixed Migration Centre Please refer to the attached file. Key findings on South Sudan Flooding is the dominant climate hazard in places of origin . Among the surveyed IDPs who were primarily displaced due to disasters, 91% were affected by flooding or storms, often reoccurring in consecutive years, while drought affected just seven percent but had severe localised impacts. Climate shocks are persistent and chronic phenomena . Of the respondents who experienced flooding and storms (n=1,078), nearly a third (31%) endured impacts for over four years before displacement, showing long-term erosion of resilience. Destruction of housing is the leading trigger of internal displacement . 80% of flood-affected respondents left after experiencing loss of or damage to their houses. Destruction of or damage to infrastructure (48%) and crop loss (43%) are also major triggers. Immobility is a marker of vulnerability . Among respondents who had members of their household stay behind in climate-affected locations of origin (n=509), financial barriers (51%), caregiving responsibilities (49%), and caring for land (46%) were key reasons for remaining in high-risk areas. Environmental change is one of the issues fuelling conflict . 25% of respondents linked climate change to conflict. These respondents (n=288) most commonly linked climate change to war, armed conflict, and terrorism (55%), crime (52%), and intercommunal clashes (45%). People displaced by climate hazards face multiple and severe protection risks . Just under half (44%) of respondents reported having travelled through a dangerous location during their displacement; among these respondents (n=497), the top perceived risks were physical violence (84%) and death (74%). Moreover, 30% of all respondents reported at least one direct experience of abuse and harm; they experienced an average of nearly six different types of abuses. Children displaced by climate hazards face acute exposure to grave protection risks . 65% of respondents perceived children as being exposed to abuse and harm during their displacement. Among these respondents (n=741), 69% perceived that children were at risk of kidnapping and another 69% of physical violence; others expressed concern over the risk of sexual violence (55%) and trafficking and exploitation (48%). Humanitarian needs are widespread and unmet . 83% of respondents required assistance at the time of the interview and another 43% had needed assistance but not received it during their displacement. Those with unmet assistance needs at time of interview (n=491) had been most in need of shelter (90%), food (86%), and medical care (79%). Early warning coverage is patchy . 52% of respondents had no access to an early warning system, however, where they existed, people usually took precautionary measures. Among respondents who had access (n=538), 71% relocated temporarily and 35% strengthened their houses and shelters. Adaptation efforts are limited and often unsuccessful . A minority of respondents attempted climate adaptations by changing their crops (39%) and livestock (29%). Among those who tried (n=441 and n=330 respectively), losses were high: 38% suffered total crop loss and 42% total livestock loss. This country brief is part of a series of four publications focusing on Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, and Burundi carried out as part of the MECMEA project. The country briefs build on a foundational review paper published in August 2025: The Intersection of Mobility, Environmental and Climate Change, and Conflict in the East and Horn of Africa: A synthesis of the existing knowledge and remaining research gaps **.** The findings from this paper are used to inform high-level policy dialogues on climate mobility organised in Nairobi and Addis Ababa, as well as national and regional trainings and capacity-building sessions with civil society organisations, local authorities, and regional research and academic institutions, all convened under the MECMEA project. The MECMEA project is made up of a consortium of members led by the Horn of Africa Regional Environment Centre and Network (HoA-REC&N) , and including Mixed Migration Centre (MMC), Association Djibouti Nature , South Sudan Nature Conservation Organization (SSNCO) , and PanAfricare Kenya . MECMEA is made possible through the financial assistance of the European Union , contracted by the International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD) , through the Migration and Mobility Dialogue (MMD) Grant Facility .

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