By John Akoon Dau
The Community Empowerment for Progress Organization has urged the parliament to ensure that the executive relevant institution take an immediate action on possible food shortage and floods in South Sudan.
This comes after IGAD climate prediction and applications center (ICPAC) forecast published on Wednesday dated 2nd August, 2023 shows forecast torrential rains in 15% of South Sudan geographical map, in next seven days. There is a possibility of isolated flash floods due to rapid water accumulated in specific areas. The community empowerment for progress organization is seriously concern about the silent of the government especially the national legislative assembly in not questioning the executive relevant ministries preparedness for mitigating this possible climate predicted shocks.
Mr. Edmund Yakani, executive director of CEPO says the law makers through the relevant legislative specialized committee should urgently act on this alert raised by IGAD – ICPAC.
“The threats of the climate change shocks require pro-active planning from the government relevant institutions in the legislative and executive organs. The climate change shocks namely the flood are real and it has direct negative implication on the human lives and properties,” Edmund Yakani says.
He added that the alert raised by the IGAD –ICPAC ,our law makers are supposed to be pro-actively by summoning the relevant executive institutions of the government to the parliament to demonstrates their practical plans for mitigating the possible predicted climate change threats that will be cause possible floods in some parts of the country. It is already known to the government the negative implications of the floods by the previous year’s experiences. It is a demonstration of the responsibility by the government relevant institution by embracing pro-actively engagement on preparedness for effective response to the possible threats posted by the predicted IGAD-ICPAC.
The recent appeal by Hon. Hellen Lokur-nyang Ladu, the chairperson of the committee for climate change and forestry in the national parliament for the call of president for allocation of $ 100 million to implement climate resilience initiative and adopt environmentally friendly practices it was remarkable. It is right now for Hon. Hellen to summon the relevant executive institutions of the government to share their joint preparedness on the recent IGAD-ICPAC prediction for possible flood in some parts of the country. Holding the executive institutions of the government pro-actively on preparedness on climate change mitigation is essential. And additionally, it is time for ministry of finance and economics planning to be pro-active in releasing funds for mitigation of possible climate change shocks on the citizens. Mr. Yakani stressed.
Since 2021 -2022, Heavy rainfall has been affecting Western Equatoria State over the past days, causing floods and river overflow (in particular the Mori River) that have resulted in evacuations and damage. The United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) reports, as of 28 September, nearly 29,800 displaced people, a number of whom have been relocated to higher and safer grounds, mainly across Mundri West County of Western Equatoria State.
