Republic of South Sudan Official Statement at the Global Platform For Disaster Risk Reduction

Excellencies,
Ladies & Gentlemen,First, I want to congratulate the Government and the people of Indonesia for the excellent organization of GP2022 in Bali.

The adoption of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction in the Sendai City/Japan in March 2015, ushered in a new hopetowards building resilient communities across the world.

It is unfortunate that today more people are becoming poorer and vulnerable to hazards due to increased frequency and magnitude of disasters compounded by climate change.

In the last three years, South Sudan experienced severe climate related shocks of which many communities displaced from their homes as a result of heavy rainfall and flooding.

This displacement was exacerbated by the conflict, the locust invasion and consequently by the outbreak of the covid-19 pandemic in 2020.

Despite these extreme shocks, the Republic of South Sudan made the following progress in relation to the implementation of the Sendai Framework:

The development of National Disaster Risk Management Policy endorsed by the Re-vitalised Transitional Government of National Unity in February 2022.

Also, we developed a five-year National Disaster Risk Strategy2017-2021and now embarked on development of he National Disaster Risk Management Bill

In addition we have developed inter-agency Technical Working Group to support the implementation of disaster risk management policy at all the national and local level.

At the state and county level, we engaged with communities and were able to develop Disaster Management Committees (DMCs). These community-based committees are the drivers and ambassadors representing the aspirations of at risk communities.

We found that engaging with vulnerable communities at the local level provides practical opportunities in understanding priority needs for building sustainable community resilience

Enhancing communication & coordination with disaster risk institutions and humanitarian development partners through advocacy is the path for achieving meaningful partnerships leading to building resilience communities.

Strengthening institutional capacities in DRR and Early warning for Early Action at all levels.

Dissemination of early warning information through wider means of communication and the annual commemoration of the International Day for Disaster Reduction (13th October) has increased the understanding of risk knowledge for prevention, preparedness and mitigation measures.

The formation ofNational DRR Platform, the National and State Early Warning Technical Groups support in communication and coordination of DRR programs across sectors. This engagement helps mainstream DRR into sectoral plans and programmes.

The DRR lead institution (Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management) has foster partnership and strong collaboration with humanitarian and development partners such WFP, IOM, UN FAO, South Sudan Red Cross/IFRC; and regional bodies such AU, IGAD/ICPAC to enhance and accelerate DRR agenda in the country.

The world is increasingly becoming vulnerable than before; therefore we need to refocus our attention to address the root causes of risks and vulnerabilities.

We need to be inclusive in our approach which, is key to advance disaster risk reduction across all sectors.

Providing leadership and political commitment based on understanding of risk as a threat to everyone including political leadership.

Provision of finance to the community resilience projects, by national and local governments, humanitarian development partners and the private sector.

We also need to accelerate partnerships and synergies with development partners.All the DRM stakeholders must work together to address vulnerabilities at all level, in order not leave anyone behind.

In pursuance of all efforts and progress made in the implementation of the Sendai framework for Disaster Risk Reduction in South Sudan could not be possible without the support from our humanitarian and development partners the WFP, FAO, IOM, UNDP, South Sudan Red Cross/ IFRC just to mention a few.

More importantly, noting the World Bank support for Enhancing Community Resilience and Local Governance projects in South Sudan.

We appreciated and acknowledged the support and looking forward for continuity of our partnership with all our partners; movingfrom risk reduction to enhancing community resilience across the country.

Kot Bol Nyuar (PhD)
Undersecretary
Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs & Disaster Management
Republic of South Sudan/Juba