A devastating health crisis is unfolding in South Sudan, where US aid cuts are being blamed for the deaths of South Sudanese children as cholera spreads rapidly through vulnerable communities. With dwindling medical supplies, shuttered clinics, and unsafe water sources, humanitarian workers say the recent outbreak is spiraling out of control—and children are paying the highest price.
The outbreak, which began in early 2025, has already claimed over 70 lives, more than half of whom were children under the age of 10. Health officials fear the toll could rise sharply as rains intensify and displacement camps grow more crowded.
How US Aid Cuts Are Fueling the Crisis
The U.S. has historically been one of South Sudan’s largest humanitarian donors, contributing hundreds of millions in health, sanitation, and emergency support. However, recent budget reallocations have seen significant reductions in USAID funding for water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) programs across the region.
According to aid organizations, these cuts have resulted in:
- The closure of several community health clinics
- Reduced cholera vaccination campaigns
- Delays in water purification projects
- Loss of essential medical personnel and supplies
“The link is clear—children are dying not only from cholera, but from a failure to maintain the basic systems that prevent its spread,” said a spokesperson for Médecins Sans Frontières.
Conditions on the Ground: A Perfect Storm
In displacement camps around Juba, Bor, and Malakal, overcrowding and poor sanitation have created fertile ground for disease. Health workers describe:
- Shared latrines serving hundreds of people
- Families drinking from contaminated river sources
- Lack of oral rehydration solutions and IV fluids
Children, especially those already malnourished, are unable to survive repeated bouts of vomiting and diarrhea. With few treatment options, families are burying their young without access to proper medical help.
International Response and Rising Criticism
The World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF have launched emergency appeals for funding, warning that more than 1 million people are at risk if the outbreak is not contained. However, many humanitarian groups argue that the crisis could have been mitigated if long-term funding had not been slashed.
“The global community cannot turn a blind eye,” said a joint statement by several NGOs. “US aid cuts blamed for deaths of South Sudanese children is not just a headline—it’s a human tragedy unfolding in real time.”
In Washington, members of Congress have begun demanding answers from the State Department, urging for the restoration of targeted humanitarian funding.
Voices from South Sudan
Local health volunteers recount heart-wrenching scenes of parents carrying lifeless children to under-equipped clinics.
“We have no medicine, no clean water, and no support,” said Mary Achol, a nurse in Jonglei State. “What are we supposed to do?”
For many families, the withdrawal of US aid has not only cost them access to care—it has cost them the lives of their children.
As cholera continues to sweep through South Sudan, the US aid cuts blamed for deaths of South Sudanese children have become a stark reminder of the fragility of life in under-resourced conflict zones. Without urgent global action to restore funding and scale up response efforts, many more lives—especially young ones—will hang in the balance.
This is not just a policy failure. It is a preventable humanitarian disaster, calling for accountability and immediate international support.
