A Call to Action for All of Us

Leaders from around the world are gathering in Washington, DC this week with UNICEF and other organizations for a Child Survival Call to Action. These forward-thinking decision makers are discussing how to help protect the 7.6 million children who die before their fifth birthdays and ensure every child has the opportunity to reach their full potential. Ending preventable child deaths will take improved prenatal care, safe labor and delivery, good nutrition, HIV protection, vaccines, antibiotics — and life-saving bed nets.

Major progress has been made against child mortality. Yet every 60 seconds, a child dies from malaria, spread by a single mosquito bite. Children under five are at the greatest risk, and make up more than 90 percent of deaths from this preventable, treatable disease. And in South Sudan, where we’re currently focusing our work, malaria remains number one killer of children under five.

One mosquito bite should not be a death sentence. And no parent should have to worry about their child getting infected as he or she sleeps. So we applaud the critical work of the governments gathered in our nation’s capital this week, combining brain power with political power to mobilize governments and achieve consensus on the best ways to keep children around the world healthy and safe.

The new infographic shown here tells the story of Nala, a 5-year-old girl, and everything she needs to grow up strong. Visit the child survival website to learn how to take action and pledge to improve the health of mothers and children everywhere.