For Abuk Zuber Andal, 54, livestock are more than animals – they are her family’s lifeline. A farmer from Aweil and mother of four, Abuk owns 43 cows that provide milk for sale and sustenance, helping her send her children to school. Like many in South Sudan, she relies on her livestock to survive. But rising prices, floods and inflation forced her to leave town for a rural village where life is more affordable — and where her cows are now thriving.
"These animals are the source of my family’s livelihood. They give us milk, which I sell to send my children to school. Every day, I see my cows healthy and stronger. This gives me the courage to continue doing my best for my children,” says Abuk.
That wasn’t always the case. In November last year, an unknown disease outbreak swept through Aweil, sickening many cattle, including Abuk’s. “I lost five cows before from illness. At first, I was so scared when my cows got sick,” she recalls.
Quick action from Community Animal Health Workers (CAHWs), supported by the the State Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries and partners, helped avert a major loss and, thanks to the vaccinations and medicines provided, Abuk’s cows now produce up to 12 litres of milk per day – enough to support her household and rebuild her resilience. “After the treatment, they became stronger and healthier,” she says.
Abuk’s cows. Around 80 percent of rural households in South Sudan cite agriculture as their main source of livelihood. Photo: World Vision
Climate change, disease and declining resilience
Across South Sudan, climate change is driving up the frequency and intensity of floods, droughts and heatwaves – worsening the spread of pests and diseases and increasing the likelihood of outbreaks such as the one that struck Abuk’s herd. Livestock, a cornerstone of rural life and a critical source of food and income are especially vulnerable. Without robust veterinary systems and climate-informed responses, such shocks can quickly spiral into crises, undermining food security and pushing families further into poverty.
South Sudan already faces multiple, overlapping climate-related challenges. Years of conflict have eroded infrastructure and weakened agricultural support systems. Now, the compounding effects of climate change – erratic weather, shifting seasons, and environmental degradation – are threatening to reverse development gains. Inappropriate farming practices, deforestation, and the loss of arable land are straining natural resources and limiting options for recovery.
Faced with repeated climate shocks and few alternatives, communities are often resorting to maladaptive coping strategies, such as cutting down trees for firewood or charcoal, farming unsustainably in fragile areas, and reducing food intake – responses that provide short-term relief but undermine long-term resilience and environmental health.
Building resilience, one community at a time
To tackle the challenges, the Government of South Sudan, in partnership with UNDP and World Vision, launched the project Watershed Approaches for Climate Resilience in Agro-pastoral Landscapes (WACRESS) in May 2024. Funded by the Global Environment Facility, the five-year initiative aims to build long-term resilience to climate change among agricultural and pastoral communities by working with them to plan and manage land, water, and natural resources more sustainably.
By 2028, WACRESS aims to reach over 75,000 people in Aweil Centre and Aweil East in Northern Bahr el Ghazal State — areas heavily reliant on climate-sensitive natural resources — and restore 15,000 hectares of degraded land. The project is also helping re-establish market linkages and agricultural value chains, while equipping extension agencies to support communities in adopting gender-responsive, climate-smart farming methods and diversifying their livelihoods through practical, field-based approaches.
The project directly supports implementation of South Sudan’s climate adaptation goals, as set out in its Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) and National Adaptation Plan (NAP), while contributing towards several Sustainable Development Goals, including Zero Hunger (SDG 2) and Life on Land (SDG 15).
Community Animal Health Workers undertake livestock vaccinations, supporting farmers to protect livestock from climate-related diseases. Photo: World Vision
Progress so far — and what’s next
With the support of Community Animal Health Workers, the project has distributed over 1,000 veterinary treatments, leading to the treatment of nearly 30,000 animals, including cattle, sheep and goats.
Four cattle camps and holding pens have been upgraded to better support livestock health and disease control, a critical step in reducing the risk of future outbreaks. Thirteen technical leads have been trained in participatory watershed planning, restoration mapping, soil and water conservation, and agro-forestry. A newly developed watershed assessment guide is helping communities and the authorities understand flood risks, water demand and ecosystem sensitivity to inform future adaptation planning.
In 2025, WACRESS will scale up its activities, including upgrades to 20 more cattle camps and holding pens; identifying and rehabilitating critical water points; mapping flood-prone zones, and developing site-specific plans for income diversification and climate-resilient livelihoods.
For women like Abuk, these investments will provide a pathway to greater security and stability. With healthier cows, stable income and new knowledge, communities will be better prepared for whatever the changing climate brings.
With a budget of US$33 million, the WACRESS project is implemented by World Vision in partnership with UNDP and the Ministry of Environment and Forestry.
