Study Links Rising Heatwaves in South Sudan to Climate Change

A study indicates that climate change has greatly increased the likelihood of extreme heatwaves in South Sudan, which is struggling with economic instability and insecurity. Reportedly, the heat is placing immense pressure on women and girls who are more affected due to their roles in outdoor labor and household responsibilities. The situation is worsened by inadequate resources, limited access to water, and poor infrastructure.

A recent study indicates that human-induced climate change has significantly heightened the probability of extreme heatwaves in South Sudan, invoking severe implications, particularly for women and girls. The study highlights that the impoverished nation, already grappling with insecurity and instability since its independence in 2011, lacks the resources necessary to mitigate the effects of such environmental disasters.

The heatwave currently impacting South Sudan is occurring alongside renewed political unrest, raising concerns regarding the sustainability of the 2018 peace agreement that concluded a five-year civil conflict. Notably, temperatures have reached 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit) in some regions, prompting the government to close schools in the capital and advise residents to remain indoors amid serious health risks, including daily incidents of student collapses.

According to a report from the World Weather Attribution, climate change has increased both the intensity and frequency of these heat events, with extreme heat now at least 2 degrees Celsius hotter and tenfold more likely. “Climate change is clearly making life even more difficult in South Sudan, a country already facing economic challenges and periods of instability,” stated Kiswendsida Guigma, a climate scientist and co-author of the study.

The study further notes that a significant portion of the population engages in outdoor labor under harsh conditions, as many homes lack cooling mechanisms. The lack of access to drinking water and a mere 8.4 percent electricity availability further exacerbate the situation, disproportionately impacting women and girls who perform essential daily tasks.

Elizabeth Lodou Lochapio, a resident from Kapoeta, expressed the added challenges faced by women during this heatwave, stating their need to earn a living despite the extreme temperatures. “When the sun was at its hottest, between midday and 3:00 pm, I don’t move, I make sure that I stay in one place,” she explained. Researcher Sarah Kew emphasized the gravity of the situation, noting that such dangerously high temperatures have become a new normal, occurring biennially and presenting escalated challenges for the populace of South Sudan. Predictions indicate that these extreme heat conditions will persist into March.

In summary, the study underscores the significant role climate change plays in exacerbating heatwaves in South Sudan, further complicating the lives of a population already beset by economic and political issues. The resulting health risks, especially to women and children, reveal the urgent need for adaptive measures in this vulnerable region.

Original Source: www.france24.com