By James Innocent
Citizens in Yei River County, Central Equatoria State, are being urged to plant trees and adopt climate-smart practices to combat climate change.
The call comes from the African Democracy and Resilience Network (ADRN), a national organization implementing tree-planting projects in schools across Central Equatoria and other states.
The project launch initiative drew over 40 diverse attendees, including government officials, religious leaders, civil society groups, women’s associations, youth representatives, traditional leaders, and business community members.
Speaking at the event, Izaru James, ADRN’s Senior Program Officer, stated the project aims to directly benefit 12,000 people and indirectly reach over 65,000.
“We are working with key stakeholders, including the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Environment, faith-based leaders, and community actors, to implement solutions that can help mitigate the impact of climate change,” Izaru said.
Mercy Eliane, ADRN’s Climate Policy Officer, emphasized the project’s goal to translate climate commitments into tangible actions, highlighting the need for practical solutions to environmental challenges.
“Vulnerable groups, such as displaced people and persons with disabilities, must be included because they are the most affected,” she stated. Eliane added that beyond directly affected communities, deliberate efforts should be made to include the private sector in addressing climate change challenges. She argued that the business community plays a critical role due to its direct participation in environmental degradation.
Meanwhile, Isaac Peter Zachayo, a government representative in Yei River County, praised the tree-planting initiative and urged ADRN to prioritize local communities in its planning.
James Tombura, a Yei resident present at the launch, voiced his concerns about environmental destruction in the county. He noted that many schools in the five Payams making up Yei River County lack environmental clubs. He stressed the need to form these clubs to aid in climate restoration programs within schools and their communities.
“Only two schools in the county have tree-planting clubs. We need more clubs in every institution,” Tombura said.
However, Loduwe Richard Nelson, another citizen who attended the project launch, warned that rampant logging and cross-border timber smuggling are negatively impacting the climate.
“Many logs are being taken to Uganda by foreign business operators. Climate projects must reflect South Sudan’s realities, not copy strategies from other countries,” he urged.
Asiki Moses, Yei River County Acting Commissioner for Agriculture, pledged full government support for the project. He urged ADRN to implement its policies effectively to ensure communities benefit.
In recent years, up until early this year, South Sudan has faced worsening climate impacts, including a severe heatwave that forced the closure of hundreds of schools, underscoring the urgent need for climate action.