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Why the citizens of the world should care
The newest country in the world was born in almost a decade of bloodshed.
South Sudan won its independence from Sudan in a 2011 referendum, but in December 2013 a civil war broke out between two ethnic factions of the army loyal to the disputed president and vice president.
Over seven years, 383,000 people died, out of a population of just 11.2 million, with 2.2 million more displaced. In February 2020, a fragile unity government was agreed that finally put an end to the conflict. But the impacts of the war are still being felt in the country.
It has been mercilessly evident during the COVID-19 pandemic that the bricks and mortar of any society is its health care system.
That is especially true in a country marked by years of conflict. And in South Sudan, there is a beautiful link between the way millions of children have accessed health care and the British taxpayer, who has knowingly or unknowingly contributed to improving their lives.
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The main player is the South Sudan Health Pool (HPF) – an award-winning program run by a non-profit organization called Crown Agents, which specializes in large projects that accelerate self-reliance and prosperity.
It provides quality health care to 10 million citizens by delivering essential medicines and medical supplies to 800 clinics that, among them, serve 80% of the population of South Sudan.
And it is funded in part by aid from the United Kingdom, the only British government spending dedicated to achieving the UN Global Goals to end extreme poverty and tackle its root causes, including fighting disease and strengthening poverty. health systems in low-income countries around the world.
Credit: Health Pooled Fund (HPF)
The HPF, backed by the British people, has produced some remarkable results for the children and women of South Sudan.
While the civil war has continued, it has provided preventive services to 4.7 million children for illnesses such as fever and diarrhea, one of the leading causes of death for children under the age of five, killing 1,300 worldwide every day.
And since 2015, it has helped deliver 150,000 babies safely; as well as ensuring that 270,000 expectant mothers can attend at least one prenatal clinic, a class that helps educate parents on how to have a safe pregnancy.
But it’s not just about delivering short-term relief funds, it’s about driving long-term health care in a way that is sustainable.
HPF works with the government of South Sudan to strengthen its capacity to provide health services on its own. Local staff receive training on childhood illnesses and drug storage, and over time the behavior around delivering babies has started to change.
Credit: Health Pooled Fund (HPF)
The fund is now the largest healthcare provider in South Sudan.
“This is my first child, I had a midwife by my side, she was very good, very kind,” said a new mother at Munuki PHCC, an HPF-supported children’s hospital in Juba, South Sudan. “She is there as a mother for you, because childbirth is not easy. It’s too painful. “
Rosina Ephraim, midwife from Munuki, added: “Before, we didn’t even have fuel for our ambulance or generator, this is one. The second: now they give us the medicines, even mosquito nets, sheets and also the little ones brought us beds for the babies.” .
In addition to support from the UK aid budget, the fund is also supported by the European Union, the United States, Canada and Sweden.
Credit: Health Pooled Fund (HPF)
The UK aid budget is protected by law. The 2015 Law for International Development (official development assistance target) limited its spending to meet the United Nations target of 0.7% of gross national income (GNI). That generally equates to roughly £ 14bn a year, of which £ 451m has been invested in South Sudan’s HPF between 2018 and 2023.
Yet rumors abound that the UK aid budget could be scrapped – something that would be a devastating blow to the lives of some of the world’s poorest people who depend on such support to build their future.
As early as 2020, the world-renowned department that used to spend the bulk of the UK’s aid budget, the Department for International Development (DfID), was phased out as part of a controversial merger with the Foreign Office to create the Ministry. Foreign Relations, Commonwealth, and Development Office (FCDO).
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It prompted 200 charities to publish a letter urging the government to change its mind, as former prime ministers David Cameron, Tony Blair and Gordon Brown joined together to condemn the merger. The constant concern centers on efficiency and transparency: while the DfID received the highest possible rating in a ranking of the best large aid agencies by the independent Aid Transparency Index, the Foreign Ministry languished near the end of the leaderboard.
Britain’s ever-changing politics and bureaucracy may seem a far cry from the violent bloodshed of South Sudan’s civil war, more than 3,500 miles away. But the UK’s potential to do great good persists, and the magnificent impact is very real for mothers and babies treated every day in Juba hospitals.
“In previous years, there was no food in the hospital here,” said Josephine Pita, chief nutritionist at Al-Sabbah Children’s Hospital in Juba. “But this year there is food.”
“That is to say [how the HPF] they are helping the children of South Sudan. “
This story is part of a new Global Citizen series called “UK Aid Works ” – a collection of stories about health care development projects supported by Britain’s aid budget, compiled by Action for Global Health UK (AfGH), an influential membership network that brings together more than 50 organizations working in global health.
In September, the Department for International Development (DfID) merged with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (FCO) to form the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Commonwealth and Development (FCDO). At a time when the future of poverty-focused aid is threatened, it is critical that we hold on to programs like these that focus on the world’s most vulnerable people. These stories are about the kinds of initiatives we should strive to protect. You can see more stories like this. here – and ask the foreign secretary to ensure that the aid is transparent and accountable here.
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