Its economy is largely agro-pastoral, challenged by recurrent climate shocks, including dry spells and flooding. As of 2025, the state hosts over 131,000 displaced people, 15 per cent of whom are refugees, 27 per cent IDPs and 58 per cent spontaneous returnees, according to UNHCR, the United Nations Refugee Agency.Based in the capital Aweil, U Aye Maung, Area-Based Coordinator (ABC) for Northern Bahr el Ghazal, leads coordination for durable solutions and the transition from humanitarian to development programming in collaboration with the Government and partners. In an interview, he shares his experiences as one of the new cohort of ABCs appointed in December 2025.
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Could you give us a bit of context for Northern Bahr el Ghazal for those who are not too familiar with the state? What are the key priorities, challenges and opportunities?Maung: Northern Bahr el Ghazal is relatively stable with minimal armed security incidents. There are significant agricultural and livelihood opportunities here with its fertile land and the Greater Bahr el Ghazal basin, which is the largest rice field in South Sudan. However, flooding challenges each year have limited production and access to the market. If these challenges can be mitigated, such as improving the irrigation system and strengthening cattle migration strategies, I truly believe that Northern Bahr el Ghazal can be an exemplar for subsistence farming. This represents an opportunity for growth through public-private partnerships that strengthen the local economy.Given the proximity to Sudan, there is significant cross-border movement. The state also experienced spikes in the influx of refugees and returnees, further stressing access to essential services like water and education. Health systems are not up to standard and we need to look at ways to strengthen services in high return areas. In my view, integrated humanitarian, development and peace building programming is key going forward, with priorities reflected in domestic financing in line with the State Development Plan. Area-based coordination was expanded to all states in South Sudan at the end of 2025. What has changed since this approach was adopted in Northern Bahr el Ghazal?Maung: While ABC is new to Northern Bahr el Ghazal, it is not new to me, as I have experienced it during my time with UNHCR in Western Bahr el Ghazal. I was there from 2023 for almost 14 months, and then moved to Aweil in January 2025. I was appointed as Area-Based Coordinator, double-hatting my role as UNHCR’s Head of Sub-Office, in December 2025 and participated in the induction workshop three months later. I work together with my ABC co-lead from ZOA Dorcas South Sudan where we share responsibilities. There is a learning curve, but I came out of the workshop determined to bring the ABC platform to the state level.One of my priorities since has been to strengthen and operationalize durable solutions in Northern Bahr el Ghazal, ensuring a streamlined system with the Government and partners rather than operating in parallel streams. I was not looking to start something new but rather act as a bridge that brings everyone - from IDPs, refugees and returnees to partners, local authorities and ministries - towards the shared goal of achieving durable solutions. I see this period as a time of laying the foundation for long-lasting solutions.  
A durable solutions state-level roadmap is underway for the state. Could you update us on its process and progress?Maung: Prior to area-based coordination, a State Development Plan had already been completed last year through a consultative process with county commissioners, officials, state ministries, the UN, civil society and partners. However, when I first joined this operation, I found discussions on durable solutions to be conducted more on an ad hoc basis with updates from individual agencies. A State Solutions Task Force, co-chaired by the Relief and Rehabilitation Commission (RRC) and the Commission for Refugee Affairs (CRA), had already existed, but meetings were not systematic.This is why, when I first came in as the ABC, I initiated the durable solutions process, building on the State Development Plan and existing coordination mechanisms. In May 2026, we conducted a two-day workshop with UNHCR to sensitize stakeholders on the durable solutions roadmap, with the aim of completing the process by the end of this year.
 The UN and its partners have been facing unprecedented funding cuts. How has that affected your work and that of ABC partners?Maung: Funding cuts have affected the emergency response in Northern Bahr el Ghazal, particularly protection assistances, as well as livelihood projects, where partners have had to close offices. As ABC, I continuously advocate for a coordinated and integrated response to address these gaps. In one example, UNHCR has built an agriculture learning center for farmers and a seedling nursery. WFP, in turn, has supported with solar-powered irrigation, while FAO is now coming in to further strengthen the facility as a resource center. So I believe greater impact is possible even amid funding cuts, when we pool our limited resources and work together to maximize impact.   What does your average day look like as an ABC? What motivates you about this role?Maung: I have my to-do list and targets, but at the core of it all, I really want to learn as much as possible about all the projects across counties and stakeholders here – including authorities and their different work approaches. We’ve just completed our service mapping, which we will build on further. Learning is critical to help me see where I can best fit in to bring people together through evidence and advocacy, and build trust.My motivation stems from wanting to transfer my skills and experiences to others and anyone in need of support. An ABC is not an implementer but a convener of people to solve problems. This journey has so far been a rollercoaster, but I am happy that I am leaving behind footprints in the state in support of communities and their solutions.
**** This interview was originally published in the South Sudan Nexus Digest - Issue #2. 

In Northern Bahr el Ghazal State, community members are playing an active role in making their neighborhoods safer through Police Community Relations Committees (PCRCs), a community policing initiative supported by UNDP with funding from the United Nations Secretary-General's Peacebuilding Fund (PBF) under the project Women in South Sudan's Security Sector: A Path to Inclusive and Transformative Leadership.The initiative brings together women, men, and police officers to identify and address local security concerns, strengthen trust between communities and law enforcement, and promote peaceful approaches to resolving disputes. Through training and mentorship, PCRC members have acquired the knowledge and skills to coordinate community policing activities, respond to incidents, and refer cases, including petty theft, family disputes, and more serious crimes to the appropriate authorities.According to Deng William Makur, Executive Director of CIPAD, which implements the PCRC component of the project, the committees have become an important platform for addressing community security challenges in partnership with the police.
"Our relationship with the police is very good," said Thereza Apuk, Chairperson of one of the community policing groups. "We refer cases to them, accompany victims to hospitals when needed, and support investigations while ensuring confidentiality."The committees serve as a vital bridge between communities and security institutions, helping to identify security risks, monitor incidents, and ensure that vulnerable groups receive protection and support.
Members also work closely with local authorities to address issues affecting community well-being, including neighborhood disputes, access to services, and public safety concerns.
 For Akol Akol Deng, the training has strengthened community members' ability to respond to local challenges and promote peaceful coexistence."PCRC has given us the opportunity to better understand our role in promoting peace and engaging communities, including women," he said.
"Despite the economic challenges we face, we continue to volunteer our time because we know the importance of keeping our communities safe."Recognizing that sustainable peace is closely linked to economic opportunity, the initiative also supports women's economic empowerment. Women participating in the program received training in income-generating activities such as bead-making and tailoring. In addition, UNDP and UNMISS supported the construction and equipping of a multipurpose women's center powered by solar energy, providing a safe and functional space for training, meetings, and livelihood activities.

Despite these achievements, PCRC members highlighted several challenges that affect their work. The ongoing economic crisis has made it increasingly difficult for volunteers to dedicate time to community policing activities while supporting their families.
  Women representatives also noted the limited availability of income-generating opportunities to strengthen their economic independence and sustain their participation in community initiatives. Committee members further called for the expansion of livelihood programs to include men through skills such as carpentry,
arguing that broader economic empowerment would strengthen community ownership and participation. They also recommended increasing the number of PCRC members to meet growing demands resulting from the influx of returnees and refugees who are integrating into communities across Northern Bahr el Ghazal.Community members credit the committees with helping identify crime hotspots, improving communication with law enforcement bodies, and resolving disputes before they escalate into violence.As Northern Bahr el Ghazal continues to navigate social and economic challenges, local leaders are calling for the expansion of PCRCs to reach remote areas and ensure that more communities benefit from community policing initiatives.By empowering women and communities to work alongside law enforcement, the project is helping build safer, more inclusive communities while advancing South Sudan's vision of a responsive, accountable, and gender-sensitive security sector.
 

The United Nations Country Team in South Sudan has welcomed the inscription of the Boma-Badingilo Migratory Landscape on the UNESCO World Heritage List, marking the country's first World Heritage Site and a landmark achievement for the conservation of South Sudan's exceptional natural heritage. The inscription was approved by the UNESCO World Heritage Committee at its 48th session in Busan, Republic of Korea, on 26 July 2026. The Boma-Badingilo Migratory Landscape encompasses Boma National Park and Badingilo National Park, both managed by African Parks on behalf of the Government of South Sudan. The 37,500-square-kilometre landscape also includes surrounding savannahs, wetlands and wildlife corridors that sustain the Great Nile Migration - one of the world's largest remaining terrestrial mammal migrations, involving an estimated six million white-eared kob, tiang and Mongalla gazelles each year.Beyond its extraordinary biodiversity, the landscape is home to many communities who have lived alongside and stewarded its natural resources for generations, relying on the land for their lives, livelihoods and cultural heritage practices. "This is a proud and historic moment for South Sudan," said Yayoi Segi-Vltchek, UNESCO Representative to South Sudan. “The inscription recognizes the Outstanding Universal Value of the Boma-Badingilo Migratory Landscape and places one of the country's greatest natural treasures on the global stage. It also reinforces the importance of safeguarding this exceptional landscape for future generations while supporting the communities who have long been its custodians."The inscription follows years of collaboration between the Government of South Sudan, UNESCO, conservation partners and local communities to prepare the nomination under the 1972 World Heritage Convention. Throughout the process, with support from the Government of Japan and the Swiss Development Cooperation, UNESCO has provided technical assistance, facilitated consultations, and supported national capacity building. The World Heritage Committee also inscribed the property on the List of World Heritage in Danger, recognizing that while the landscape possesses Outstanding Universal Value, it also faces significant challenges, including insecurity, commercial poaching and climate shocks. The listing is intended to focus international attention on these challenges and mobilize coordinated efforts to strengthen the long-term protection and management of the site, ultimately resulting in removal from the list in Danger."This inscription is a proud moment for South Sudan and a reminder that protecting nature and supporting people go hand in hand," said Ramanathan Balakrishnan, Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary General in South Sudan and United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator a.i.. "By sustainably managing natural resources and safeguarding healthy ecosystems, communities help secure livelihoods and strengthen the foundations for peace. This milestone demonstrates what can be achieved through partnership between the Government, local communities, conservation organizations and the United Nations."World Heritage inscription recognizes sites of Outstanding Universal Value to humanity and strengthens international cooperation and frameworks for their long-term management and conservation. For South Sudan, the designation represents an important milestone in protecting its rich natural heritage while showcasing one of Africa's most remarkable landscapes to the world.The Boma-Badingilo Migratory Landscape was added to South Sudan's Tentative List of World Heritage sites in 2017. The Sudd Wetland and the Deim Zubeir Slave Route remain on the Tentative List, pending consideration for nomination. 

For years, many harmful practices in communities across Western Bahr el Ghazal and Warrap states were accepted as part of everyday life. Early and forced marriage, domestic violence, sexual harassment, and physical punishment of children often went unquestioned. Survivors of gender-based violence (GBV) frequently suffered in silence, unsure where to seek help and fearful of stigma or discrimination. Today, that is beginning to change. Across these communities, local leaders, women, and youth have been taking steps to challenge harmful practices and promote more positive social norms. Building on these locally led efforts, the International Organization for Migration (IOM), with funding from the European Union through the EU–UN Joint Programme (EU-UNJP), supported community-based GBV awareness activities in Wau and Kuajok between December 2025 and May 2026. Through weekly sessions led by trained Community Action Groups (CAGs), the initiative reached more than 4,100 people, including over 2,600 women and 1,500 men, helping communities better understand GBV, available services, and the role everyone can play in prevention and response.   For Perina Lawarenc, a women's representative from Bazia Jedid, the sessions marked a turning point in how she understood violence in her own community and household. “Before the awareness sessions, I had limited knowledge about GBV and did not know where to report cases,” she explains. “I also considered certain behaviors, such as domestic violence and sexual harassment, to be normal.” The sessions helped her recognize the different forms of GBV and reflect on her own parenting practices. “Previously, I assigned more work to my daughter than my son and used physical punishment, thinking it was part of raising them properly,” she says. “Now, I see things differently.” Today, Perina says she has noticed broader changes around her, as more people begin to speak out and seek help. “People who attended the sessions are more likely to report GBV cases,” she says. “Community members are now aware of where to report cases and are supporting survivors in accessing services.” In Hai Kosti B in Wau, youth leader Charles Santino Daniel shares how his understanding of GBV was shaped through the same community dialogues. “Before attending the awareness sessions, I did not understand what gender-based violence was,” Charles recalls. “In our community, marrying off young girls to older men without their consent was not seen as wrong.” Through the discussions, Charles began to recognize the risks and consequences of these practices and learned about available support services. “We later learned that such practices are forms of GBV and can have serious consequences, including complications or even death during childbirth,” he says. Charles has since become an advocate for sharing information within his community, encouraging others to seek help and challenge harmful norms. “I actively share this knowledge within my community,” he says. “More people now report GBV cases and are aware of available services.”  For those leading the awareness sessions, witnessing these shifts firsthand has been a powerful reminder of the importance of community engagement. Emmanuel Mariano Uyaka, a Community Action Group facilitator and youth leader, spent the last several months facilitating discussions on GBV across communities. “At the beginning, participation was low,” he recalls. “But attendance increased over time as people began sharing information with others.” He recalls one participant who changed his behavior after attending the sessions. “He used to beat his sister and restrict her movements. After the sessions, he improved his relationship with her and stopped all forms of violence.” The awareness initiative was developed in response to critical gaps identified in both Wau and Kuajok, where communities had limited access to information about GBV and support services. Low awareness, harmful social norms, stigma, and fear of discrimination often prevented survivors from seeking help. By engaging women, men, youth, local leaders, and service providers through consistent weekly discussions, the project created safe spaces for open dialogue on issues that had long remained hidden. According to an IOM facilitator involved in the initiative, the sessions created important space for dialogue and reflection. “Community awareness raising is important because it gives people accurate information on GBV, available services and creates a space for open discussion about issues affecting their daily lives,” the facilitator says. “We saw strong engagement to share experiences, concerns, and ideas for positive change.” As awareness of GBV increased within communities, efforts were also made to strengthen the support available to survivors. In partnership with UNICEF and local organizations, IOM supported capacity-building for frontline service providers in Wau and Kuajok, helping improve referral systems, coordination, and survivor-centered care. These efforts aimed to ensure that community members who come forward are met with timely, appropriate, and compassionate support. The awareness sessions formed part of a broader package of protection and gender equality interventions implemented by IOM under the programme, including capacity strengthening for Community Action Groups and service providers, support for referral pathways, and leadership training reaching over 1,000 women. To sustain these gains, IOM is strengthening collaboration with the Ministry of Gender, Child and Social Welfare in Western Bahr el Ghazal to support continued community-led awareness efforts. For Charles, the impact of the initiative extends far beyond those who attended the sessions. “If 40 people attend one awareness session, they can influence many more individuals,” he says. “GBV should never be seen as normal.” Across Wau and Kuajok, those conversations are continuing – one discussion, one family, and one community at a time.