In a devastating report by Save the Children, it has been revealed that at least five children and three adults tragically lost their lives while desperately trying to reach medical assistance in South Sudan amidst the country’s worst cholera outbreak in decades. These individuals, all hailing from the eastern region, succumbed during a grueling three-hour trek through extreme heat toward the nearest health facility.
Children Struggle for Lifesaving Care Amid U.S. Aid Cuts in South Sudan
Children Struggle for Lifesaving Care Amid U.S. Aid Cuts in South Sudan
Recent aid reductions by the U.S. have dire consequences for cholera-stricken children in South Sudan.
The humanitarian crisis has been exacerbated by significant cuts in American aid, which were instituted by the Trump administration earlier this year. These reductions resulted in the closure of 7 out of 27 health facilities that Save the Children was supporting in the Akobo County area, while an additional 20 facilities have had to reduce their operations significantly. As a consequence, many clinics are now being operated solely by volunteers without the necessary resources to transport critically ill patients to hospitals.
In an alarming statement, Save the Children’s country director for South Sudan, Christopher Nyamandi, recounted his visit to an overwhelmed health clinic that was meant to assist with both nutrition and cholera response efforts. He described dire conditions where tents designed to accommodate 25 individuals were overcrowded with hundreds, forcing many others to sleep outside and endure exposure to harsh weather and disease. The challenging situation faced by healthcare workers has become increasingly untenable, as they are left to manage the heartbreaking reality of patient deaths while attempting to shield young children from the traumatic scene.
As the burden on healthcare systems escalates and local populations suffer the consequences, the ongoing situation in South Sudan draws serious attention to the profound impact of international aid reductions in regions that are already characterized by conflict and severe food insecurity.
In an alarming statement, Save the Children’s country director for South Sudan, Christopher Nyamandi, recounted his visit to an overwhelmed health clinic that was meant to assist with both nutrition and cholera response efforts. He described dire conditions where tents designed to accommodate 25 individuals were overcrowded with hundreds, forcing many others to sleep outside and endure exposure to harsh weather and disease. The challenging situation faced by healthcare workers has become increasingly untenable, as they are left to manage the heartbreaking reality of patient deaths while attempting to shield young children from the traumatic scene.
As the burden on healthcare systems escalates and local populations suffer the consequences, the ongoing situation in South Sudan draws serious attention to the profound impact of international aid reductions in regions that are already characterized by conflict and severe food insecurity.
