Eight individuals, including five children, tragically lost their lives while walking for three hours to seek medical treatment for cholera in South Sudan after the U.S. made significant cuts to its foreign aid, resulting in the closure of local health services. The deaths occurred last month, marking one of the first instances where such fatalities can be directly linked to reductions in U.S. aid. These cuts, initiated after President Donald Trump took office, were part of his “America First” agenda, aimed at aligning foreign aid with U.S. national interests.
The situation has sparked outrage among international aid organizations, with Save the Children, a UK-based charity, condemning the cuts as contributing to preventable deaths. The charity’s country director in South Sudan, Christopher Nyamandi, expressed profound concern, stating that the decisions made by powerful nations, like the U.S., had led to child deaths in a matter of weeks. He emphasized that such actions should provoke global moral outrage, as innocent lives were being lost due to political decisions that prioritized the interests of a few over the well-being of vulnerable populations.
Experts have long warned that the reductions in U.S. aid could lead to devastating consequences in South Sudan and other countries that rely on foreign assistance for critical health services. These cuts have been linked to rising rates of malnutrition, as well as increased deaths from diseases like malaria, tuberculosis, and AIDS. The scale of the impact is expected to worsen in the coming years, potentially costing millions of lives if the aid situation is not rectified.
The U.S. State Department, however, has responded to the allegations without addressing the deaths directly. A spokesperson acknowledged that some U.S. government programs providing emergency lifesaving aid in South Sudan were still active. However, they added that these efforts were undermined by concerns over the misuse of aid funds by South Sudan’s political leaders. They emphasized that the U.S. government would not continue providing assistance that inadvertently supported what they called the “irresponsible and corrupt behavior” of the country’s leadership.
South Sudan has faced significant challenges related to corruption, with the government’s failure to adequately address these issues being a consistent concern for international aid organizations. There have been numerous reports of mismanagement and diversion of aid intended for humanitarian purposes. While the government has acknowledged the presence of corruption within its ranks, it has denied specific allegations involving President Salva Kiir’s family, as well as other high-ranking officials.
Humanitarian aid to South Sudan is often channeled through non-governmental organizations (NGOs) due to these concerns. NGOs play a crucial role in providing health services, food, and shelter to communities in need, particularly in conflict-affected regions like Jonglei State. Save the Children, for instance, had been supporting 27 health facilities across eastern South Sudan’s Jonglei State until earlier this year. However, the U.S. cuts forced the closure of seven of these facilities, while 20 others had to reduce their services significantly. These closures have left many communities without access to basic health services, exacerbating the dire conditions caused by ongoing conflict, poverty, and disease.
The deaths of these cholera patients underscore the tragic consequences of reduced aid in a country already grappling with severe humanitarian challenges. They serve as a stark reminder of the far-reaching impact that political decisions can have on vulnerable populations, particularly in regions where access to healthcare and basic services is already limited. The international community’s response to these cuts will be crucial in determining whether the lives of countless individuals in South Sudan and similar countries can be saved in the future.
