Why is the world's newest country facing an existential threat?

South Sudan, the world's newest country, has been grappling with extreme weather events for almost half of its independent history.

Devastating floods in South Sudan have displaced millions of people, subsequently worsening the country’s ongoing conflict and food security crisis. The U.N. estimates(opens in a new tab) that around two-thirds of South Sudan’s population of 10 million will not have enough to eat during the lean season in 2023, which runs from April until July.

To find out about the crisis first-hand and the severe impact climate change is having on the country, Mashable spoke to Wendy Ahonda, a young climate activist from South Sudan, who has been campaigning with UNICEF for the past few years. In the aftermath of the floods in October 2022, she traveled to flood-struck areas to gather information about the needs and problems of those most affected by the crisis.