3312: Can Mutual Aid Fill the Gap as Foreign Assistance Declines in South Sudan?

The Roundtable examines whether South Sudan can rely more on mutual aid as foreign assistance declines. It highlights the country’s heavy dependence on international aid, while arguing that decades of humanitarian support have not produced lasting improvements because aid is often poorly targeted, externally controlled and disconnected from local priorities.

The research defines mutual aid as support provided directly within communities through families, neighbours, traditional leaders, faith groups and local networks. Examples include sharing food, communal farming, caring for vulnerable people, supporting displaced relatives and resolving conflicts.

The report finds that these systems are deeply rooted in South Sudanese culture and could strengthen community resilience. However, mutual aid cannot fully replace formal assistance. The discussion calls for government responsibility, stronger traditional institutions and a new aid model that treats communities as genuine partners rather than simply using local organisations to implement externally designed programmes.