New climate-resilient schools to support 0ver 200,000 children affected by climate disasters

Save the Children, in collaboration with the Ministry of General Education and Instruction (MoGEI), has launched a landmark US$17 million initiative aimed at safeguarding children’s education against the growing threats of climate change.

Funded by the Green Climate Fund (GCF) and the Global Partnership for Education (GPE), the Building the Climate Resilience of Children and Communities through the Education Sector (BRACE) project is designed to strengthen the resilience of schools, students, and communities across South Sudan.

The pilot project will directly benefit more than 200,000 children, half of them girls, through a comprehensive programme that combines climate-smart infrastructure, policy reform, and capacity building.

The initiative represents a crucial step in helping communities adapt to a rapidly changing environment and ensuring that every child continues to learn, no matter the climate challenges they face.

Dr. Kuyok Abol Kuyok, South Sudan’s Minister of General Education and Instruction, praised the initiative as a model of international cooperation and forward-thinking leadership.

“We stand here today because visionary partners believe in our potential. This funding is more than financial support; it is an investment in stability, opportunity, and in breaking the cycle of climate-induced vulnerability. We pledge to go beyond the launch and work tirelessly to turn this promise into reality.”

Education at the Frontline of the Climate Crisis

South Sudan ranks among the world’s most climate-vulnerable nations, with devastating floods, droughts, and heatwaves increasing in frequency and intensity.

Over the past few years, these disasters have repeatedly disrupted education, damaging school buildings, destroying learning materials, and displacing thousands of children.

Currently, more than one million people across six states are affected by severe flooding, including nearly 355,000 displaced.

The worst-affected areas, Jonglei and Unity states, account for nearly 90% of those impacted.

In addition to flooding, scorching heatwaves have forced schools to shut down for weeks at a time, leaving countless children behind in their studies.

Amid these challenges, the BRACE programme aims to help schools withstand and adapt to climate shocks.

Planned upgrades include improved classroom ventilation, solar energy installations, rainwater harvesting systems, and enhanced water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) facilities.

These improvements will make schools safer and more comfortable learning spaces even during extreme weather events.

Morten Sigsgaard, GPE Secretariat Country Team Lead for South Sudan, emphasized the importance of sustained leadership at the national level:

“The impacts of climate change are felt by many in South Sudan floods, droughts, heatwaves, and displacement. They disrupt schooling, damage infrastructure, and threaten the future of an entire generation of learners. The success of BRACE depends not only on international financing what’s much more important is national leadership and domestic investment.”

Building Resilience Through Education

Climate shocks have left many South Sudanese communities with little time to recover between crises. Families are forced to move repeatedly in search of safety, food, and water.

This cycle of displacement has placed immense pressure on already fragile education systems.

“Recurrent floods, droughts, and extreme heat are leaving communities with little time to recover, displacing families, and crippling vital services, including education,” said Chris Nyamandi, Save the Children’s Country Director for South Sudan.

“The climate crisis is threatening every child’s right to a quality, safe education. Education is not only about learning, but also about survival. Through this project, we are helping children learn, adapt, and lead in a changing climate.”

BRACE will also focus on teacher training and curriculum reform, ensuring that education equips young people with the knowledge and skills to understand, mitigate, and adapt to the effects of climate change.

These efforts will be complemented by community engagement initiatives that promote sustainable practices and strengthen local resilience.

A Global Vision for Climate-Resilient Education

The South Sudan pilot is part of a broader global Education and Resilience initiative, led by Save the Children, GCF, and GPE, that aims to protect learning for millions of children affected by climate-related disasters.

The programme is being rolled out initially in South Sudan, Cambodia, and Tonga, three countries on the frontline of the climate crisis.

Globally, climate events interrupt learning for around 40 million children each year, a number projected to rise sharply as weather extremes intensify.

By 2050, climate change could displace more than 143 million people, posing one of the greatest threats to education and child wellbeing in history.

UNESCO’s Ms. Yayoi Segi-Vlthcek, Head of Office and Representative to South Sudan, reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to the programme:

“Building on this progress, UNESCO will continue its support under the BRACE programme in South Sudan to strengthen policy, planning, and curricula that prepare learners for climate challenges. Every child has a right to learn, no matter the crisis, no matter the climate.”

Investing in the Future

Since 1991, Save the Children has worked in South Sudan, providing access to education, healthcare, nutrition, and livelihoods support to millions of families.

Through BRACE, the organization and its partners seek to go beyond recovery, building a future where education systems not only survive climate shocks but also emerge stronger and more inclusive.

As the world faces the escalating impacts of the climate crisis, initiatives like BRACE represent a vital investment in human potential.

By fortifying education systems today, South Sudan is paving the way for a generation of resilient, informed, and empowered young people who can lead their communities toward a more sustainable and hopeful future.