Impact of Climate Change on Human Health and Ecosystem in South Sudan

Abstract

Background: South Sudan is highly vulnerable to climate change due to poverty and reliance on rain-fed agriculture, shifting from sporadic shocks to chronic, compound crises between 2015 and 2025. Rising temperatures and erratic, extreme rainfall have caused severe, consecutive flooding, particularly impacting Unity, Upper Nile, and Jonglei states. This environmental crisis, combined with limited adaptation capacity and conflict, has severely deepened food insecurity across the country. Objectives: This study assesses the compound impacts of climate change on human health and ecosystems in South Sudan between 2015 and 2025, identifying how environmental shifts—specifically persistent flooding and extreme heat—affect public health outcomes and ecological stability. Methods: This research employed a mixed-methods approach, utilizing climate Modeling data (temperature and precipitation), epidemiological surveillance data (malaria, malnutrition), satellite imagery of flood extents, and literature review of reports from UN agencies, MSF, and government reports. Findings: Health Crisis: Persistent 2019–2025 flooding and extreme heat have devastated health infrastructure, driving malaria cases toward 8.3 million by 2025 and causing outbreaks of waterborne diseases, malnutrition, and dehydration. Environmental & Human Impact: Massive flooding and concurrent droughts have destroyed agriculture, livestock, and ecosystems, forcing widespread displacement and fueling violent conflict over, scarce resources.  In essence, climate change in South Sudan has created a "threat multiplier" scenario, merging environmental destruction with a collapsing health system. Conclusion: Between 2015 and 2025, climate change emerged as the primary driver of health and ecological crises in South Sudan, demanding an urgent transition to long-term adaptation, improved flood management, and enhanced early-warning systems to replace failing traditional coping mechanisms