Gov’t and UNOPS sign agreement to procure flood mitigation supplies

JUBA – The National Ministry of Water and Irrigation signed an agreement on Friday with the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) to procure essential flood mitigation supplies for the counties of Bor and Fangak in Jonglei state and Pibor in the Greater Pibor Administrative Area.  

Peter Malual Dhieu Akat, the Undersecretary for the Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation, said the agreement will enable the government and its partners to support the flood-affected population.

“The contract is a very special launch that will help half of the people who are facing horrible situations caused by floods,” Akat said. “Our people are already facing it hard in 38 flood-affected counties.”

Akat revealed that the Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation has strengthened its collaboration with donors and key partners like UNOPS to address the urgent flood challenges in the most affected areas.

“We urge UNOPS to expedite addressing the issue of floods that have already devastated farms,” he said. “Addressing this current scenario affecting our population adds to the hardship that most of our people are facing.”

Leslie Mhara, the Program Coordinator for UNOPS, said the contract is a critical milestone in their consistent partnership with the government of South Sudan, particularly the Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation.  

“UNOPS will oversee the procurement and timely delivery of flood mitigation supplies, coordinating closely with the Ministry of Water Resources Irrigation and local authorities,” Mhara said.

Mhara disclosed that the project, which is the third in line, will see the government leading in flood mitigation, adding that UNOPS is committed to facilitating quality and sustainable procurement and infrastructure investment to mitigate the effects of climate change.

“Floods have already affected 50 percent of the counties and over 700,000 households across South Sudan,” he said. “We have to put in place mitigatory measures as well as preparatory measures to reduce the impacts of such unforeseen events.”

The agreement, valued at over 299,000 US dollars, is part of the World Bank-financed Regional Climate Resilience Project for Eastern and Southern Africa, which will see the procurement of essential flood mitigation supplies.

In June 2024, UNOPS successfully procured and delivered vehicles to support the Regional Climate Resilience Project. In July 2024, UNOPS concluded the Enhancing Community Resilience and Local Governance Phase 1 Project (ECRP 1), which saw the construction of 258 water facilities across 20 counties.