Amid compounded shocks faced by South Sudan – such as conflict, displacement, climate change, and recently protracted flooding, this analysis focused on alternative livelihood strategies of South Sudan’s pastoralist communities. In particular, the analysis provides an overview of the change in livelihood portfolio, and the social impacts this has. For instance, shifts in gender and social norms are being witnessed, as the traditional division of labor within pastoral and agropastoral livelihood systems are forcibly being…

This research report focuses on coping strategies by South Sudanese households during severe food insecurity. Using the case of Leer, Pagak, and Rubkona countries of Upper Nile, the report finds that a combination of factors including conflict, displacement and flooding, have undermined the main livelihood means of local communities, with wild fruits and fishing becoming the main copying strategies. Finally, the report provides a nuance on how to effectively explore the coping strategies of households…

Abstract This chapter examines diversification into fishing by pastoral and agropastoral households and communities in Kenya and South Sudan and how and when this diversification overlaps with sedentarization. Various factors, including climatic events, conflict, privatization, development schemes, and national policies, can result in a decrease in the strategic mobility that is central to pastoral success and resilience. Diversification of economic activities may also cause households or some household members to settle, and, although limited, the…

Fossil Fuel Industry adds Despair to South Sudanese Communities Facing Flood Disaster A new analysis by PAX, with contributions from Utrecht University, demonstrates how severe flooding in South Sudan spawns environmental risks around its national oil infrastructure. The report uses satellite imagery and a hydrological model to identify how the increasing seasonal flood impacts can pose additional environmental health risks to civilians and their livelihoods from potential pollution sources. Download

This open access article on refugee livelihoods also focusses on South Sudanese refugees living in Kenia. Abstract While the literature on refugee livelihoods is growing, there is a lack of comparative studies of their livelihood strategies in relation to their host communities and their living locations. Drawing upon fieldwork in Kakuma camp and Nairobi in Kenya, this article therefore provides a comparative analysis of the economic activities employed by refugees living in different contexts and…

This review looks at livelihood issues related to “youth” in South Sudan, focusing on factors influencing decision-making by young men on livelihood options (both violent and non-violent) and trusted avenues of communication. In South Sudan, youth is not a fixed biological category, but a fluid social construct, and broadly refers to young men aged between 18 and 40/45. It is not possible to give definitive answers to the questions posed, and by its nature this…

This report provides insights into the food security situation of South Sudan in 2014 and 2015. It also helps to project future trends in food security. Download

This qualitative study explores livelihoods, access to social services and people’s perceptions of participation and governance in northern Jonglei state.

This report describes the process and findings of an evaluation of community-based animal health workers (CAHWs) in Kenya, Ethiopia, and South Sudan. Overall, the researchers find that CAHWs continue to be the preferred service provider at the community level, and that their assistance has a significant positive effect on the livelihood impacts of livestock diseases. However, CAHWs are hindered in their work by weak veterinary governance. Similarly, although there is great potential to use CAHWs…

In this briefing, the impact of climate change on conflict dynamics between ethnic communities in Jonglei State is analysed. The researchers looked in particular at how community representatives perceived changes in climactic patterns in recent years, and resulting changes to migratory movements by pastoralist groups. Download

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