Assessing the Impacts of Flooding on Environmental Sustainability and Livelihoods in Tonj Payam, Warrap State, South Sudan

Flooding is a major environmental hazard in South Sudan, but its impact on livelihoods in Tonj Payam, Warrap State, remains undocumented. This study assessed the causes and impacts of flooding, community coping mechanisms, and the groups most affected. The mixed-methods design combined a questionnaire with key informant interviews and focus group discussions. Cochran’s formula yielded a sample of 280 respondents, comprising officials, traditional authorities, and household heads across Tonj Payam. Most respondents were male (60.7%), married (91.4%), and without formal education (77.5%); small-scale farming was the dominant livelihood (65.4%). Overflow of the Tonj River (91.8%) and an unpaved road (87.9%) were the leading causes of flooding, which caused widespread loss of life and property, disrupted trade, and degraded soil and vegetation. Elderly people, children, and women were disproportionately affected. The study recommends relocating vulnerable households to higher ground, building drainage canals, and enforcing zoning to protect wetlands and drainage channels.