A study revealed that climate change has increased the likelihood of the current heatwave in South Sudan, affecting women and girls disproportionately. Temperatures have reached 40 degrees Celsius, leading to school closures and health problems. The ongoing political instability alongside economic challenges complicates the nation’s ability to cope with such environmental crises.
A recent study concluded that man-made climate change has significantly increased the likelihood of the heatwave currently affecting South Sudan, with heightened temperatures disproportionately impacting women and girls. South Sudan, which has faced ongoing insecurity since its independence in 2011, is ill-prepared to manage the escalating environmental challenges it confronts.
The heatwave, which peaked in February 2022 with temperatures soaring to 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit), has prompted severe government measures, including school closures in the capital, Juba, due to an alarming rate of student collapses. The study from the World Weather Attribution network indicated that climate change has raised the intensity of this extreme heat by at least 2 degrees Celsius and made such events ten times more likely.
Kiswendsida Guigma, a climate scientist associated with the Red Cross, emphasized the exacerbating effects of climate change on South Sudan, a nation already struggling with economic hardships and instability. The study highlighted the challenges posed by high temperatures, especially for those who must work outdoors in oppressive heat conditions without adequate housing or cooling systems.
The World Bank reported that access to clean drinking water remains scarce while electricity availability stood at just 8.4 percent in 2022. Women, who are primarily responsible for household activities such as collecting water and cooking, bear a disproportionate burden. Local resident Elizabeth Lodou Lochapio noted that women need to work outside despite the oppressive heat to provide for their families.
As observed by Sarah Kew, a researcher at the Netherlands Meteorological Institute, the frequency of extreme heatwaves is increasing, posing severe challenges for the South Sudanese population. These once rare events now occur approximately every two years, establishing dangerous heat conditions as the new norm. The expected duration of the heatwave is projected to last throughout March, raising further concerns for the affected communities.
The findings of the study underscore the perilous intersection of climate change and socio-economic instability in South Sudan. With escalating temperatures impacting vulnerable populations, particularly women and girls, the need for robust climate action and support for the nation’s infrastructure is paramount. South Sudan’s ongoing environmental challenges demand immediate attention to mitigate the severe consequences of climate change on its people.
Original Source: www.france24.com
