In brief
Teenage climate advocates in South Sudan, among them 17‑year‑old Siama Santino and 18‑year‑old Amoko Ronny, gathered in Juba to urge the national government and international donors to implement climate‑resilient infrastructure, early warning systems and direct relief. They highlight daily incidents such as students wading through flooded streets and repeated crop losses that threaten food security and education. The activists remain uncertain whether current pledges and upcoming COP31 will translate into tangible funding and policy action.
Teenage climate activists in South Sudan’s capital, Juba, gathered on 30 October to demand that national authorities and international partners move beyond slogans and implement concrete measures to safeguard vulnerable communities ahead of the 31st UN Framework Convention on Climate Change Conference in Antalya, Turkey.
The event, organized jointly by Save the Children and the Ministry of Environment and Forestry, saw students from across the country urge the government to prioritize climate‑resilient school infrastructure, upgraded early‑warning systems and immediate relief for flood‑affected families.
Siama Santino, 17, describes a daily struggle: “Every morning when you wake up, you have to think of how much you are going to move in water or first remove your shoes to reach school.” Her account illustrates how flood‑stricken regions often force students to wade through deep water to get to class.
Amoko Ronny, 18 and a children’s council representative, highlighted the broader impacts of climate shocks. He said, “Children must be the top priority.” He cited the 2024 outbreak of extreme heat that forced children out of classrooms for two weeks and the recurrent floods that destroyed crops, leaving families “unable to afford basic meals.” He called for investment in sustainable agriculture, clean energy and practical alternatives to reduce reliance on charcoal.
Siama emphasized the need for “expanded climate education, emergency preparedness training and targeted humanitarian aid for households displaced by flooding and other climate disasters.” She stressed that effective adaptation requires families to understand climate risks and be empowered to act.
Both voices underscored that the problem is a threat to education, food security and public health – all magnified by the country’s “severe flooding, drought and extreme heat.” They urged donors to fund projects that would create resilient school buildings, install reliable early‑warning systems and deliver relief for the most affected households.
As governments around the world prepare for COP31 from 9 to 20 November, the activists press for results: “Climate‑action must move from high‑level pledges to practical projects that protect children and communities.” Yet no official plan or funding package has been announced, leaving the ultimate outcome uncertain.
While the call to action received attention from the international community, it remains unclear whether the South Sudanese government will mobilize fiscal resources or secure commitments from bilateral and multilateral donors. The activists, therefore, continue to question whether current pledges and the upcoming conference will be translated into tangible on‑the‑ground measures.
