INTERNATIONAL
As South Sudan braces for an anticipated two-week heat wave, all schools will be closed starting Monday, following warnings from health and education ministries. Parents are urged to keep children indoors as temperatures soar to 45 degrees Celsius (113 Fahrenheit).
The ministries have threatened to revoke the registration of any school found operating during this period, although the duration of the closures was not specified in the late Saturday statement.Continuous monitoring of the situation will be conducted by the ministries, with updates provided to the public.
Residents like Peter Garang in the capital city, Juba, support the decision, suggesting that schools should be equipped with electricity to enable the use of air conditioners.South Sudan, facing a dire humanitarian crisis exacerbated by civil conflict, drought, and flooding, is particularly vulnerable to climate extremes, with heat waves, though common, rarely surpassing 40 C (104 F).
Amidst ongoing challenges, the country continues to receive support, with food and cash assistance reaching 818,000 vulnerable individuals in January, according to the latest World Food Program report.
