Yabus and Associated Riverine Floods Management Interventions Feasibility Study Consultancy Services Actives Regional Meeting is taking place in Nairobi Kenya 19th September of 2025.   The one-day meeting is being held to start the Yabus and associated riverine floods management interventions feasibility study consultancy services activities. The emphasis being to engage with the representatives of national stakeholders from Ethiopia, South Sudan and Sudan; Eastern Nile Governance and some regional entities.

The meeting enlightens and sensitizes the stakeholders’ representatives to understand and seek their cooperation to facilitate conduct of the study activities, including the obligations, coordination, reporting and monitoring.

ENTRO’s Acting Executive Director, Eng. Teshome Atenafie, on his opening remarks highlight the project objective and the overall structure. Eng. Teshome also state that the consultation meeting was convened to strengthen regional preparedness for the increasing frequency and intensity of water-related climate shocks in Eastern and Southern Africa. 

Eng. Teshome said that “The meeting will enlighten and sensitize the stakeholder’s representative to understand and seeks their cooperation to facilitate the conduct of the study activities including coordination, reporting and monitoring.” Said Eng. Teshome.

Finally, the Acting ED expresses his expectation from the participants to give valuable suggestions and propose innovative approaches to fast track the feasibility study of Yabuz watershed.

Eng. Andrew Yunda South Sudan Director for Planning and RCRP Coordinator, State that the Regional Climate Resilience Program is designed to address the pressing realities of climate change in our countries. Eng. Andrew explained that looking at rivers in terms of their catchments and watersheds, the program aims to provide solutions to floods and droughts that affect our people and economies.

This gathering is a valuable opportunity for us to provide a platform to identify the challenges affecting each of our countries and to harness ENTRO’s expertise to better address them across local and regional scales.

Eng. Andrew said that “looking at the rivers in terms of its catchments or watersheds, how we can address aspects of flood and aspects of drought in our countries? This stakeholder consultation meeting is really very important for us to consolidate our efforts towards addressing these issues.”

Accordingly, South Sudan ENSAPT representative Eng. Richard Gama, welcomed all participants to the meeting and thanks the government of Kenya for hosting this event and ENTRO for organizing the regional meeting.

Sudan ENSAPT Representative Dr. Salih Hamad highlighted that the workshop marked an important step in addressing the recurring floods in the Maban area of South Sudan, a challenge that links Sudan, South Sudan, and Ethiopia.

Dr. Salih stressed that successful implementation will deliver real on-ground impacts, protect vulnerable populations, and strengthen regional cooperation under ENTRO’s leadership.

 “Unlike the previous flood studies in ENTRO this study will consider one structural solution which I think will bring intro back to its main course of studying some sort of quality, investment, or on-ground projects.” Said Dr. Salih. 

Ethiopia ENSAPT Leader and Chair Dr. Zebene Lakew, explained that the event is intended to engage stakeholders, strengthen their understanding of the project, and build ownership of the upcoming study on the Yabus and associated riverine floods.

ENSAPT Chair highlighted the importance of identifying mitigation areas, developing adaptation and resilience strategies, and protecting communities from extreme climate events. Risk mapping already conducted in the Baro area was cited as an example of critical work in addressing future climate challenges. 

Dr. Zebene said that “Stakeholders' consultation is important for two purposes. One, to know what is happening in the ground. Second, to support. So, I really urge active participation of all of you.” Said Dr. 

Finally, Dr. Zebene urged participants to contribute actively, particularly in reviewing social and environmental aspects of the Terms of Reference and stressed that everyone has a stake in the project’s success. 

In the spirit of collaboration, Dr. Zebene officially opened the session, calling on participants to work together towards a sustainable future.

The regional meeting brought together stakeholders from Ethiopia, South Sudan, Sudan, and regional organizations such as the Nile Basin Discourse (NBD), ENSAPT Member, technical experts, ICPAC, Environmental Safeguards Representative, Experts, Gender Representative ENTRO Staff with different expertise and Hydrogeologist   to explore synergies with ongoing initiatives, strengthen institutional partnerships, and identify opportunities for collaboration. 

About Regional Climate Resilience Project (RCRP) 

The purpose of the RCRP is to improve regional preparedness for the increasing frequency, intensity, and impact of water-related climate shocks on people, livelihoods, infrastructure, and ecosystems. 

The Program Development Objective (PDO) is to strengthen the resilience to water-related climate impacts in select countries of Eastern and Southern African.

The Project components:

Component 1: which focuses on disaster risk management, early warning systems, and climate financing. 

Component 2: that responds to the urgent need for transformational and sustainable infrastructure investments that are critical for improving the management of climate change impacts on water resources. 

Component 3: for ensuring that the most vulnerable populations are better protected from climate risk through enhanced access to information and adaptive social protection programs.

Component 4: project Management