South Sudan Families Build Floating Islands to Survive Worsening Floods

Communities in South Sudan are battling climate-driven flooding for the sixth year in a row by expanding hand-built islands made of mud and papyrus along the Nile.

In the Akuak community, about 2,000 people spend hours each day reinforcing their islands to keep rising water from destroying their homes.

«We have no choice; we need to protect our homes,» said Ayen Deng Duot, a mother of six working waist-deep in floodwater.

South Sudan is among the countries most vulnerable to climate change. The UN says more than 375,000 people were displaced by floods this year, as water levels have become more severe and unpredictable.

The Akuak, part of the Dinka ethnic group, now rely almost entirely on fishing after floods forced them to abandon farming and cattle. Despite school closures and growing hardship, many refuse to leave.

«This is the land of our ancestors,» said fisherman Matuor Mabior Ajith.

Kursiv Uzbekistan also reports that Hong Kong pro-democracy campaigner and media tycoon Jimmy Lai has been convicted of colluding with foreign forces under the city’s national security law (NSL).