In anticipation of an intense heatwave lasting for two weeks, South Sudan will be shutting down all schools starting Monday.

The health and education ministries have recommended that parents keep their children indoors due to anticipated temperatures of 45C (113F).

The warning stated that any school that was open during the designated period would lose its registration. However, the statement released on Saturday did not mention the duration of the school closures.

The departments stated that they will “keep a close eye on the situation and share updates with the public as needed.”

Peter Garang, a resident of Juba, the capital, expressed his support for the decision. He believes that schools should have access to electricity so that they can have air conditioning installed.

South Sudan, one of the world’s youngest nations, is particularly vulnerable to the climate crisis with heatwaves common but rarely exceeding 40C (104F). Civil conflict has plagued the east African country, which also suffers drought and flooding, making living conditions difficult.

According to its most recent country report, the World Food Programme has declared that South Sudan remains in a state of severe humanitarian emergency, primarily due to ongoing violence, financial insecurity, environmental shifts, and an influx of refugees from neighboring Sudan. The report additionally mentions that 818,000 people in need were provided with food and monetary assistance in January.

Source: theguardian.com