Rising Waters, Rising Tensions: Aid Responses in response to floods and communal violence in South Sudan
South Sudan has grappled with five consecutive years of unprecedented floods. The literature that associates climate shocks with conflict has mainly focused on droughts. In contrast, floods are not only more frequent but also characterized by sudden onset. This study delves into the intricate dynamics linking food insecurity, flood occurrences, aid interventions, and communal conflict within the context of South Sudan. Utilizing satellite imagery to pinpoint flooded regions and incorporating fieldwork data on geocoded pastoralist routes, this research examines the alignment of aid initiatives with the areas affected by the climate-conflict nexus. By cross-referencing geocoded aid information with conflict event data, the study seeks to evaluate the efficacy of aid projects in responding to floods, expanding on prior research exploring the connection between communal violence and climate shocks.
