Vol. 1 No. 1 (2026)

View Issue TOC

A Research Protocol for Assessing Environmental Stressors and Climate Resilience in South Sudan: Heat Stress in Juba and Flooding in Jonglei State

Elia Lona James, Department of Peace and Conflict Studies, Institute of Peace, Development and Strategic Studies, University of Juba, South Sudan
DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.18372348
Published: January 26, 2026

Abstract

This research protocol outlines a mixed-methods study assessing two critical environmental stressors in South Sudan from 2021 to 2026: urban heat stress in Juba and recurrent flooding in Jonglei State. It analyses their compound impacts on community resilience. The central objective is to generate spatially explicit, evidence-based knowledge on exposure and vulnerability, with a specific focus on energy infrastructure and household energy security as critical, yet understudied, determinants of adaptive capacity. Methodologically, the study integrates satellite-derived land surface temperature and flood inundation mapping with field-based socio-ecological surveys and key informant interviews within purposively selected communities. A preliminary analysis of 2021–2023 data reveals a concerning intensification of the urban heat island effect in Juba and identifies flood-prone settlements in Jonglei with severely limited access to resilient energy sources for coping and recovery. The significance of this work lies in its integrated, place-based approach, which prioritises African-centred evidence generation and addresses a notable research gap. The anticipated findings will directly inform the development of context-specific climate adaptation strategies, particularly in designing robust energy systems that enhance community resilience against escalating thermal and hydrological extremes. This protocol establishes a rigorous framework for actionable science in a data-scarce region facing profound climate risks.

Full Text:

Read the Full Article

The HTML galley is loaded below for inline reading and better discovery.

How to Cite

Elia Lona James (2026). A Research Protocol for Assessing Environmental Stressors and Climate Resilience in South Sudan: Heat Stress in Juba and Flooding in Jonglei State. African Climate Change Science (Earth Science focus), Vol. 1 No. 1 (2026), 7-23. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.18372348

Keywords

Climate resilienceEnvironmental stressorsSub-Saharan AfricaMixed-methods researchHeat stress adaptationFlood risk managementVulnerability assessment

Research Snapshot

Desktop reading view
Language
EN
Formats
HTML + PDF
Publication Track
Vol. 1 No. 1 (2026)
Current Journal
African Climate Change Science (Earth Science focus)

References

  • Achot, G.A.R., & Kithinji, L.N.R. (2021). Impact of War, Governance and Leadership Style on Socio-Economic Development of South Sudan: A Case of Jonglei State, South Sudan. The International Journal of Humanities & Social Studies. https://doi.org/10.24940/theijhss/2021/v9/i8/hs2108-018
  • Adea, M., & Balli, N.P. (2025). Competing Livelihoods: Analyzing Farmer–Pastoralist Conflicts in Central Equatorial State, South Sudan. Journal of Scientific Reports. https://doi.org/10.58970/jsr.1131
  • Akook, F.B., & Ngor, N.D. (2025). Knowledge, attitudes, and practices of caregivers of malnourished children at the Al Sabbah Children’s Hospital, Juba, South Sudan. South Sudan Medical Journal. https://doi.org/10.4314/ssmj.v18i1.5
  • Ngang Nyak, D., & Ninan, S. (2025). Infant oral mutilation at Bor State Referral Hospital, Bor, South Sudan. South Sudan Medical Journal. https://doi.org/10.4314/ssmj.v18i3.4
  • Wardley, T., West, K., Tesfay, B., Robinson, N., Parry, L., Bestman, A., Singh, J., Rao, V., & Tremblay, L. (2024). Malaria Anticipation Project (MAP): development of a predictive early warning system for anticipatory action in Jonglei State, South Sudan. Malaria Anticipation Project (MAP): development of a predictive early warning system for anticipatory action in Jonglei State, South Sudan. https://doi.org/10.57740/eq5og2mumi
  • Wong, X., & Toma, I.A. (2022). Gender and Protection Analysis: Juba, Rumbek and Pibor, South Sudan. https://doi.org/10.21201/2022.8946