A humanitarian worker is pictured in a flood-submerged homestead in Panyijiar County of Unity State. (Photo: Courtesy).

The Chairperson of the Relief and Rehabilitation Commission is calling for disaster risk reduction to be made a key part of national development planning to help communities withstand recurring disasters.

Stephen K. Gach said communities across South Sudan continue to suffer the effects of repeated disasters, leaving many families struggling to rebuild their lives year after year.

He said disasters such as floods and food shortages continue to affect thousands of families across the country.

Gach noted that disaster risk reduction focuses on prevention and disaster management rather than emergency response after disasters occur.

He made the remarks during a workshop held under the theme, “Strengthening Disaster Risk Governance and Resilience for the Nation,” which focused on validating South Sudan’s revised National Disaster Risk Management Policy.

The event brought together senior government officials, lawmakers, humanitarian agencies, and development partners.

Gach said the country must move away from responding only after disasters strike and instead invest in systems that help communities prepare in advance.

He stressed that strengthening early warning systems should remain a national priority, particularly for communities living in flood-prone and disaster-affected areas.

The RRC Chairperson also highlighted the importance of community awareness and local participation, noting that people at the grassroots level are often the first responders during emergencies.

He called for greater investment in local knowledge, community preparedness programmes, and resilience-building initiatives to help vulnerable families cope with future crises.

The workshop was organized by the Ministry of Humanitarian.