The Trump administration preposterously announced plans to cut humanitarian assistance to South Sudan. This decision has been catastrophic for children and other vulnerable populations. Since January, significant cuts have forced the closure of seven out of 27 health facilities supported by Save the Children in Akobo County. This cut in support has significantly contributed to the spiraling ongoing cholera outbreak. This outbreak is now the country’s most severe in decades.
The aid cuts also forced the closure of clinics and other health facilities. Further, 20 more have had to shut down at least in part. This has caused thousands of people trying to get treatment for cholera and malnutrition to have nowhere else to go. Regrettably, at least five kids and three adults died. They were just seeking out the nearest operational health facility, undertaking a punishing three-hour trek in blistering temperatures.
The victims came from the eastern part of South Sudan, where healthcare has become more and more out of reach. We’ve heard directly from health care workers that it’s a dire situation. Tents at the few remaining health facilities are overflowing with hundreds of patients desperately trying to access lifesaving health services.
“It is how difficult it is to manage the situation where people are just out there,” said Christopher Nyamandi, a health worker on the ground.
The health facilities that have managed to remain operational play a critical role in providing nutrition assistance and addressing the cholera outbreak. The overwhelming influx of patients coupled with a lack of resources has created an unsustainable environment for healthcare providers.
Christopher Nyamandi emphasized the emotional toll on healthcare workers, stating, “We try to protect the children from seeing that scene.” The heart-wrenching reality of children suffering and dying while seeking treatment has raised urgent concerns about the humanitarian crisis unfolding in South Sudan.
