Community-led flood resilience in Southern Unity: How RSRTF helped Southern Unity reclaim hope

For the people of Southern Unity, floodwaters have become as dangerous as conflict. For over four years, relentless seasonal flooding has displaced more than half the population across Leer, Mayendit, and Panyijar counties.

At one of Panyijiar’s most vulnerable flood points, local youth rise to the challenge—sealing a critical breach with strength and resolve. With RSRTF’s support, they are protecting lives, restoring land, and proving that the future can be built from within. Photo: Southern Unity ABP partners in Panyijar

Homes, grazing areas and farmland vanished under water, forcing entire communities onto shrinking highlands. The devastation led to land conflicts and people being cut off from transportation and social services.

The inundation led to spike in disease outbreak. And to top it off, participation in socio-economic activities were inhibited. And hope was beginning to fade.

But in early 2025, something changed. Supported by the Reconciliation, Stabilization and Resilience Trust Fund (RSRTF), communities came together—not just to survive the floods, but to push back.

“We are grateful for the support by RSRTF. We were about to resign to our fates but RSRTF reminded us that we still had the power to come together and protect our land,” said Nyawouk, a beneficiary of the community-led flood resilience initiative from Bow Payam in Leer County.

Before the dyke: Entire villages submerged, farmland lost, and families stranded on shrinking highlands. Years of flooding left communities in Leer isolated and vulnerable—until they took matters into their own hands with RSRTF support. Photo:  Photo: Southern Unity ABP partners in Leer

A Community-Driven Response to a Compounding Crisis

Southern Unity’s communities were already battling the scars of intercommunal violence, displacement, and weak governance. The floods only deepened their vulnerability, making it harder for families to feed themselves, access health services, or rebuild their lives.

Recognizing the urgent need for action, community representatives raised the issue of flood mitigation during Area Reference Group (ARG) meetings— A RSRTF-supported structure that allows all actors on the ground to come together for inclusive planning and local ownership.

The proposal for community-led dyke reconstruction was swiftly endorsed by the ABP Board and funded by RSRTF with an initial investment of USD 60,000, with scope for further support upon successful implementation.

This wasn’t just a project. It was a lifeline.

In Panyijiar, youth take the lead in building one of the largest sections of the flood protection dyke. With RSRTF’s support, their energy and determination are not just holding back the water—they’re paving the way for recovery, unity, and hope. Photo: Southern Unity ABP partners in Panyijar

Over 2,000 People, 25 Kilometres of Dyke, 30 Payams Reconnected

In a massive show of solidarity, over 2,000 community members mobilised across Leer, Mayendit, and Panyijar counties. Guided by their local leaders and supported by RSRTF partners, they worked day and night to rebuild dykes and drainage systems that could hold back the waters.

So far, they’ve reconstructed more than 25 kilometres of dyke, covering 30 out of 42 Payams—restoring access, reclaiming farmland, and reopening spaces for cattle grazing.

These efforts are not only shielding homes from floods—they are restoring dignity.

“This is real support to save lives,” said a local chief in Panyijar. “Our people can now focus on growing crops and grazing animals again.”

Laying the foundation—literally and symbolically. In Panyijar, local youth prepare the base for dyke construction under the guidance of RSRTF’s Area-Based Programme team. What began as disaster response is now a path to resilience, dignity, and renewed purpose.  Photo: Southern Unity ABP partners in Panyijar

Adapting with Purpose: RSRTF’s Flexible Support Model

What sets RSRTF apart is its ability to respond to crises without losing sight of its long-term goals. While originally focused on conflict mitigation, governance and long-term resilience, RSRTF’s adaptive, area-based approach allows it to address sudden shocks like flooding—because in fragile settings like Southern Unity, resilience depends on responding to both man-made and natural crises together.

In this case, flood mitigation served multiple outcomes. It reduced climate-related displacement, opened the way for renewed economic activity, and even became a peacebuilding tool by uniting former rivals in a shared effort.

Youths who had once been caught in cycles of violence were now earning income and building dykes side by side. Women who had lost everything were reclaiming farmland.

In Mayendit, where floods had drowned both land and spirit, men and women rose with shovels and strength. With RSRTF’s support, they came together—not just to build a dyke, but to reclaim their future.  Photo: Southern Unity ABP partners in Mayendit

A Foundation for Peace and Resilience

The RSRTF-supported dyke initiative is more than just disaster response. It is a foundation for the return of stability. By helping communities come together to reclaim their land and rebuild their livelihoods, RSRTF is restoring agency to people who had been pushed to the margins.

No one left behind. In Mayendit, youth—including young people with disabilities—are taking the lead in protecting their communities from floods. With support from RSRTF, their strength, determination, and unity are transforming crisis into collective resilience.  Photo: Southern Unity ABP partners in Mayendit

And critically, this initiative has strengthened community cohesion, laying the groundwork for longer-term reconciliation and recovery. Where the floods once isolated and divided, the rebuilding effort is bringing people back together—with shovels, not weapons.

The consortium of RSRTF's area-based programme in Southern Unity is led by World Relief (WR) and consists of International Rescue Committe (IRC), United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), Universal Intervention & Development Organization (UNIDOR), Dialogue and Reaserch Initiative (DRI), and Assistance Mission for Africa (AMA).

The initiative focuses on 42 Payams with estimated population of 269,008. Geographical coverage include; Leer, Mayiendit and Panyijiar Counties and hotspot locations in Mayom and Koch Counties as well as neighbouring counties in Lakes State (Rumbek North and Yirol East).

It is supported by the generous contributions of Canada, the European Union, Germany, the Republic of Korea, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, and Switzerland.

Community-built dyke in Southern Unity — a lifeline against years of flooding. With RSRTF support, residents came together to reclaim their land, restore access, and protect their future. Photo: Southern Unity ABP Partners