Managing groundwater resources
© UNESCO Juba
More than 50% of South Sudanese have access to improved sources of drinking water, but just 20% have improved sanitation.
Water-borne diseases, mainly Guinea Worm, remain a significant threat.
Particularly vulnerable are those living in the states of Warrap, Unity, Jonglei, Northern Bahr al Ghazal and Eastern Equatoria, where urgent improvements are required to ensure access to clean water.
As a stop-gap, water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) partners provide tankers delivering water. Both government and aid agencies are drilling boreholes and wells, but success has been hampered by poor knowledge of the water table. UNESCO’s expertise in high resolution groundwater mapping has been demonstrated in Turkana, Kenya, and Jijiga Ethiopia, as part of GRIDMAP (Groundwater Resources Investigation for Drought Mitigation Africa Programme).
In South Sudan our activities will include:
Mapping the risk of floods
Understanding the flooding patterns of a river is key to understanding and predicting future risks for local communities. Working with the Ministry of Water Resources, UNESCO has acquired a crucial set of data about flood patterns on the White Nile.
The data is a time series of river discharge (maximum, mean and minimum annual) on the White Nile, measured at gauging stations at Mongalla and Malakal between 1912-1982, as well as White Nile discharge measurements at Mongalla -- daily, weekly, monthly, yearly measurements -- between 1903-1984. Also included are White Nile weekly discharge measurements at Nimule, Juba, Mongalla and Bor for 2008 to 2010, and mean monthly rainfall measurements on several gauges scattered around the country.
This meticulously-recorded data will allow scientists to dive deep into the history of the White Nile, tracking its highs and lows and making predictions based on past behaviours.
Now, it is possible to map the likelihood of flooding along the White Nile. A preliminary flood inundation frequency map has been prepared by UNESCO Cat II Institute and the International Centre for Water Hazard and Risk Management (ICHARM) in Japan. This may lead to a flood hazard mapping of South Sudan, prepared by UNESCO and its partners.
Groundwater mapping for emergency and long term development
UNESCO has begun an emergency groundwater survey project for South Sudan, to support urgent response to critical needs, early-recovery and drought resilience. The project will provide better high resolution groundwater maps, tools and information to identify appropriate sites for drill boreholes and wells. National consultations on the technology included key stakeholders throughout the country.
During the current emergency, access to water is of renewed importance as displaced people bring extra pressures to bear on the resources of host communities. Our groundwater project will assist government and partners to meet water needs efficiently and effectively.