IGAD National Expert Panel Meeting begins in Juba.
By Wek Atak Kacjang
The IGAD Head of Mission, David Mogga Kwaje, reaffirm the collective commitment and align national efforts with the priority intervention areas outlined in the country programming paper. These areas include natural resources management, disaster risk reduction, enhanced livelihoods, and institutional coordination.
” With great honor and a sense of shared responsibility, I welcome you all to this critical gathering under the framework of the IGAD Drought Disaster Resilience and Sustainability Initiative (IDDRSI). As we come together today, I do so not only in my role as the National Coordinator but also as a fellow stakeholder committed to the shared vision of a resilient and secure South Sudan, firmly anchored within the broader IGAD region,”
He added that this program comes at a crucial time when our communities are facing the devastating impacts of prolonged droughts, recurrent floods, displacement, and economic strain—all exacerbated by climate change. As evidenced in the Key Informant Interviews and baseline consultations, from 2022 to 2025, these shocks have significantly disrupted livelihoods, weakened food security systems, and strained already fragile local markets.
” our objective is to reaffirm our collective commitment and align our national efforts with the Priority Intervention Areas (PIAs) outlined in the Country Programming Paper (CPP). These areas include crucial aspects such as natural resources management, disaster risk reduction, improved livelihoods, and institutional coordination.
Allow me to highlight three immediate focus areas as we commence today’s discussions:
“ Operationalizing Coordination Structures: It is imperative that we enhance and activate the roles of the Inter-Ministerial Steering Committee, the Technical Committee, and Task Teams as specified in the IDDRSI framework to ensure efficient implementation across ministries and partners. Baseline Data and Target Setting: The Key Informant Interview tools currently in use are not merely exercises—they are fundamental to evidence-based programming. I urge all institutions to facilitate timely data provision and verification. Scaling Partnerships and Financing: Resilience cannot be achieved in isolation. We must deepen our collaborations with regional bodies, development partners, and the private sector to mobilize resources and broaden our impact, particularly in the most vulnerable counties.
IGAD’s Activities in South Sudan
IGAD has been actively involved in disaster risk management (DRM). The organization has shifted from a reactive approach to mainstreaming DRM concepts across regional, national, and local institutions. The R2 Program, in collaboration with the European Union and the World Bank, has supported this shift, emphasizing disaster prevention and improving rapid response capabilities. This collaboration has led to advancements in early warning systems, such as climate monitoring and forecasting, and has facilitated knowledge sharing and the adoption of best practices. IGAD’s work in DRM has been particularly crucial in coordinating responses to hazards like drought, desertification, disease outbreaks, flooding, and desert locusts, which significantly impact the region.
While the provided sources do not explicitly detail IGAD’s specific achievements in South Sudan, the organization’s broader mandate and institutional mechanisms suggest its involvement in the country. Given South Sudan’s membership in IGAD, the country benefits from the organization’s initiatives in peace and security, disaster risk management, and regional integration. IGAD’s CEWARN mechanism likely plays a role in monitoring and responding to conflicts in South Sudan. ICPAC’s climate monitoring and forecasting services are also relevant to South Sudan, which is vulnerable to climate-related disasters. The IGAD Youth Forum for Peace, which convened in December 2024, also highlights IGAD’s commitment to peace and security in the region, including South Sudan.
IGAD’s role in South Sudan is multifaceted, encompassing peace and security initiatives through CEWARN, climate change adaptation via ICPAC, and broader regional integration efforts.
