South Sudan aid effectiveness debated after USAID funding cuts

Following funding cuts to USAID by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), debates have emerged regarding the effectiveness of previous American aid in South Sudan. Critics of the funding cuts point to humanitarian crises and dying children in the region, while others highlight historical failures of the aid programs.

Reports indicate that during periods of high USAID spending, South Sudan experienced civil war resulting in approximately 400,000 deaths and a declared famine in 2017. Furthermore, the United Nations recorded $25 billion in oil revenue being diverted from basic services. An inspector general’s audit previously found that flagship governance programs lacked effective metrics and fuel-tracking controls. While USAID spent nearly $93 million on contractors to build government infrastructure, much of the country's oil is now managed by Chinese and Malaysian state-owned companies rather than Western firms.