In a tragic consequence of international funding cuts, eight people—including five children—died in South Sudan last month after a three-hour walk in scorching heat to reach medical care for cholera. The UK-based charity Save the Children says the deaths occurred in Jonglei State, where U.S. aid reductions have forced local health facilities to shut down.
These deaths are among the first directly linked to the sharp USAID cuts imposed by President Donald Trump, who cited the need to align foreign assistance with his “America First” policy. Over 90% of USAID contracts have been cancelled, prompting warnings from global health experts that millions of lives could be endangered due to reduced access to care for cholera, malaria, HIV/AIDS, and malnutrition.
Christopher Nyamandi, Save the Children’s country director in South Sudan, condemned the consequences of the cuts:
“There should be global moral outrage that the decisions made by powerful people in other countries have led to child deaths in just a matter of weeks.”
The U.S. State Department, responding to reports, acknowledged ongoing emergency programs but defended the decision to scale back health aid, citing concerns over corruption among South Sudan’s political leadership.
“We will not… ask the American taxpayer to provide assistance that effectively subsidises the irresponsible and corrupt behaviour of South Sudan’s political leaders,” a spokesperson said.
South Sudan’s government has admitted to general public corruption but denies specific graft allegations against senior officials, including those involving President Salva Kiir’s family.
Prior to the funding cuts, Save the Children operated 27 health centers in the region. Seven have now closed entirely, while 20 are operating at limited capacity. The lack of US-funded transportation also forced the eight cholera victims to walk in 40°C (104°F) heat to the nearest clinic, where three of the children—all under age five—died en route.
In addition to U.S. cuts, reduced international donor support is further squeezing the humanitarian response. Save the Children says its annual budget for South Sudan will shrink to $30 million in 2025, down from $50 million in 2024.
South Sudan is facing multiple crises, including a cholera outbreak declared last October. The World Health Organization reports over 22,000 cases and hundreds of deaths. Meanwhile, a third of the population is displaced, and renewed fighting in the northeast has raised concerns of a potential new civil war.
