In brief
At an event organized by Save the Children and the Ministry of Environment and Forestry, 17‑ and 18‑year‑old climate advocates in South Sudan demanded climate‑resilient schools, upgraded early‑warning systems and immediate relief for flood‑affected families ahead of COP31. The students urged that children be the top priority, urging investment in climate education, resilient infrastructure and sustainable agriculture.
On a hot morning in Juba, the capital of South Sudan, teenage climate activists gathered with representatives from Save the Children and the Ministry of Environment and Forestry to press for rapid, concrete action from governments and donors as the world heads to COP31 in Antalya, Turkey.
At a podium near the Ministry of Environment, 17‑year‑old Siama Santino spoke candidly about the daily reality of flooding that turns schools into waterlogged “walking zones.”
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,
She explained that the deep water against the school grounds forces her to wade to reach the classroom, a hardship that echoes across flood‑stricken communities in South Sudan.
Other students joined the call. 18‑year‑old Amoko Ronny, a council representative, highlighted how climate shocks are intensifying poverty. He shared that extreme heat forced local children out of classrooms for two weeks in 2024 and that recurrent floods destroyed crops, worsening food shortages and pushing families into hardship.
Children must be the top priority,
Ronny urged. He called for more investment in climate education, resilient school infrastructure and early warning systems, and urged the government and civil society to invest in sustainable agriculture and clean energy to reduce reliance on charcoal and curb environmental degradation.
Youth Calls for Practical Measures
During the event, the youth demanded a shift from broad pledges to tangible projects. They called for climate‑resilient school infrastructure that can withstand flooding and heat, the upgrade of early‑warning systems, and direct relief for families hit by disasters.
Siama emphasized the need for climate‑education for households, emergency preparedness training, and targeted humanitarian aid for those displaced by flooding and other climate disasters. She urged world leaders to prioritize immediate action over symbolic commitments.
The gathering unfolded as COP31 approached. The young delegates argued that the international community must back the government's national adaptation plans with funds that translate into on‑ground projects—school drainage systems, heated classrooms, and community-based early‑warning boards that inform families of impending floods or heatwaves.
These voices reflect a broader trend of indigenous and youth groups in fragile states demanding that global climate agreements translate into practical safeguards for their people. Their message underscores that protecting children— the most vulnerable— requires concrete investment in infrastructure, education, and resilient livelihoods backed by swift, coordinated support from national governments and international partners.
