We were commissioned by the World Bank to assess the emergency preparedness and response capacities of South Sudan. Using the World Bank’s Ready2Respond (R2R) Framework, the assignment identified priority actions and investments to strengthen EP&R systems in a highly complex, fragile context.
Since its independence in 2011, South Sudan has faced prolonged conflict, limited state infrastructure, and significant access constraints. Many areas remain under-served and rely on humanitarian partners for essential services.
These conditions make it difficult to establish and sustain traditional disaster risk management (DRM) systems. In this context, Emergency Preparedness and Response (EP&R) approaches must reflect the realities of fragile, conflict-affected and violent (FCV) settings and align with how services are delivered in practice.
In South Sudan, EP&R operates through a network of governmental and non-governmental stakeholders, including national and sub-national government institutions, humanitarian organisations, international donors, and local communities. Strengthening this system requires coordinated engagement across these actors, with government playing a central role in setting priorities and guiding investment decisions.
To assess and strengthen South Sudan’s EP&R systems, we applied an adaptive methodology tailored to the country’s unique context and challenges. Key activities included:
The assignment brought together a team of global and local experts to deliver practical outcomes. Partners included:
The approach was tailored to the unique and dynamic context of South Sudan. Data collection strategies were adjusted in response to security challenges and access constraints, supporting consistent and reliable outcomes even in evolving conditions.
The methodology incorporated the FCV-Disaster Risk Reduction nexus to frame how conflict, vulnerability, and natural hazards intersect. This provided a holistic understanding of South Sudan’s EP&R system and supported identification of practical opportunities for strengthening DRM.
The assignment supported the development of a roadmap to guide future investments and initiatives aimed at enhancing South Sudan’s EP&R systems, shaped through engagement with government stakeholders and wider partners. Contributions included:
This assignment highlights the importance of innovative and adaptive approaches to strengthening EP&R systems in fragile and complex environments. It provides a practical framework for improving DRM in contexts where institutional capacity is constrained and delivery relies on a network of actors.
Drawing on our established partnerships with national and international specialists, we assembled a team with the technical expertise and contextual understanding needed to deliver this work in a challenging operating environment.
Contact our team to learn more about this project.
