Save the Children welcomes accelerating reduction in children deaths, but warns progress remains insufficient

Save the Children says the latest United Nations figures on children mortality suggest the world is achieving strong results in the fight to end preventable child deaths.

For the first time, annual global child mortality figures are reported to have fallen below seven million (6.9 million) in 2011, down from 7.6 million in 2010, with breakthroughs taking place even in many of the poorest countries.

But whilst progress is accelerating, global progress is still too slow to achieve the Millennium Development Goals by 2015, warns Save the Children.

“The new child mortality estimates show that child deaths have almost halved in a generation and that, in the 21st century, an end to child deaths is within our reach,” said Jasmine Whitbread, chief executive of Save The Children International.

“But the new report also shows that the fight is far from over, and that low-cost solutions that could save these lives still aren’t reaching many mothers, newborn babies and children – especially those who need them most. We can all help to change that.”

In an effort to accelerate this progress and end all preventable child deaths, Save the Children's EVERY ONE campaign is calling for concrete action to help achieve this goal, putting special focus on ensuring access to healthcare workers, support for immunisation, and increased efforts to tackle malnutrition.

The new UN report ranks the leading causes of child death as pneumonia, premature birth, diarrhea, childbirth complications and malaria, with child malnutrition remaining an underlying cause of a third of child deaths. Additionally, the findings reveal that nearly half of under-five deaths occur in only five countries: India, Nigeria, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Pakistan and China.

The report also shows that as deaths to all children aged below five have dropped, those occurring in the first month of life have declined more slowly. As a result, newborn deaths now account for 43% of child deaths, up from 36% in 1990. Overall, the vast majority of child deaths – 83% – now occur in sub-Saharan Africa and south Asia.

Save the Children said it is a critical time for all supporters to help to maintain momentum to fight this continuing crisis. Healthier children are the foundation for more productive, prosperous and stable communities, which benefit everyone, the agency said.

ENDS

For interviews please call Alfonso Daniels from the Save the Children press office, mobile number +44 (0)7787 191957, email: alfonso.daniels@savethechildren.org.