Families living on the Akuak islands in South Sudan are battling severe floods from the Nile, as climate change transforms their traditional way of life into an ongoing struggle for survival.
The islands, located among countless channels of the Nile, are home to huts built on grass and clay platforms. Here, families sustain themselves through fishing, spending hours daily maintaining and expanding their islands to stay above rising waters.
“There’s nothing but water, grass, and papyrus here,” says Anyeth Manyang, a local resident. “When the water rises, we use grass and soil to build our islands. My parents taught me how to do this, and it’s what we have been doing since I was born.”
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South Sudan is one of the countries most vulnerable to climate change, and flooding has displaced over 375,000 people this year alone, according to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA). Researchers from the Norwegian Foreign Policy Institute warn that consecutive record-breaking floods have permanently altered the landscape, with some predicting that higher sea-surface temperatures and heavier rainfall could expand the Sudd—the largest wetland in Africa further into the Nile’s floodplain.
Unlike other communities in Jonglei State, the Akuak have adapted to the persistent water. They abandoned cattle farming in the late 1980s as rising water levels made it untenable, relying instead on fishing and island-building. “We chose our land over our cattle,” explains Chief Makech Kuol Kuany. “Fishing is central to our survival. It feeds families and livestock.”
For residents like Ayen Deng Duot, a mother of six, the work is relentless. “We do this every year to protect ourselves from flooding,” she says. Many in the community hope the waters will recede so they can reclaim dry land and resume farming, though climate change is making each year more unpredictable.
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Despite the hardships, Chief Kuany remains cautiously optimistic. Historical records show that past floods, including those in the 1960s, eventually receded. Yet, the past few years have been particularly challenging, with roughly 2,000 Akuak people continuing to persevere on these flood-prone islands.
As floods become a regular and increasingly severe feature of life in the Nile’s floodplain, the Akuak demonstrate resilience, adapting ancient techniques to sustain their communities in the face of a changing climate.
Esther Ososanya is an investigative journalist with Pinnacle Daily, reporting across health, business, environment, metro, Fct and crime. Known for her bold, empathetic storytelling, she uncovers hidden truths, challenges broken systems, and gives voice to overlooked Nigerians. Her work drives national conversations and demands accountability one powerful story at a time.
