In ChildFund’s work in 31 countries around the world, we know the first five years of life are so critical for a child’s healthy development. This video explains it visually. Take a look.
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton addressing the Child Survival: Call to Action summit in D.C., points out that “progress not the same as success.”
Child mortality is dropping by 2.5% a year worldwide. To reach the MDG by 2015, we need to increase this to 12%. Today’s Call to Action is to focus everyone on the end goal.
Ben Affleck just addressed the Child Survival:Call to Action meeting happening now in Washington, D.C.
We Must End Preventable Child Deaths
Did you know that more than 7 million children will die this year before they reach their fifth birthday? And, sadly, they’re dying from diseases that are preventable.
Yes, we’ve made substantive international progress during the last 50 years, with child mortality rates being reduced 70 percent. But when 7 million children are still dying around the world, we have so much more work to do.
This week, I’m in Washington, D.C., to talk about that work and, I hope, see renewed response from many sectors. Yesterday, ChildFund joined other civil society organizations in pledging our support for ending preventable child deaths and asking governments to back this goal—and to honor commitments they’ve made to protecting children.
Today, we’re at the Child Survival Call to Action meeting convened by the governments of the United States, India and Ethiopia, and organized in close collaboration with UNICEF. More than 700 leaders from government, the private sector and civil society organizations are attending.
I’m hopeful that this meeting, which has bipartisan support from the U.S. Congress and President Obama, will strengthen support for children starting at an early age. In ChildFund’s work in 31 countries around the world, we know the first five years of life are so critical for a child’s healthy development.
I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: Childhood is a one-time opportunity. We must renew our commitment to getting it right.
