Global Child Survival Partnership in Ethiopia
Works to Stop Preventable Child Illness and Deaths
WASHINGTON, DC 20523
PRESS OFFICE
http://www.usaid.gov/
Press: (202) 712-4320
Public Information: (202) 712-4810
2003-103
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 23, 2003
Contact: USAID Press Office
WASHINGTON, DC -- The Child Survival Partnership - a new alliance between UNICEF, World Health Organization, World Bank, Canadian International Development Agency, and U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) recently initiated a coordinated effort in Ethiopia to improve child health and save children dying of preventable causes.
The Child Survival Partnership will direct global action, through international partners and existing resources, to increase child health interventions like immunization, Vitamin A supplementation and treatment of diarrhea, pneumonia and malaria in targeted countries. Ethiopia is the first target country. The Partnership will support the Government of Ethiopia's efforts to help communities achieve better health, support the integrated training for frontline health workers and support the implementation of the Government's new health extension program. While Ethiopia has made great strides to improve child health, much of its rural population has limited access to modern health-care services.
"I am excited by Ethiopia's commitment to their people and children, encouraged by their efforts to respond to child health needs and privileged to have the opportunity to begin the Child Survival Partnership," said WHO Assistant Director-General Joy Phumaphi.
"We are at a crossroads and confront a major opportunity to improve the health of Ethiopian children and their families" said Dr. E. Anne Peterson, MPH, Assistant Administrator, Bureau for Global Health, USAID. "It is within our reach. We have a solid foundation upon which to build. Ethiopia's leadership and innovative approaches on child survival can serve as a model for other countries. And the children - the most vulnerable -- deserve our undivided attention."
"This is a very timely opportunity to put child survival back on top of the development agenda, said UNICEF representative Bjorn Ljunqvist." Ethiopia is a very appropriate place to begin given its great need and the commitment of the government and all partners to improve the situation of children."
In Ethiopia, seventy five percent of children who seek medical care suffer from preventable illnesses -- malaria, diarrhea, measles, pneumonia and micro-nutrient deficiency. Almost half a million children in Ethiopia are dying each year from easily preventable diseases. Compounding this, Ethiopia has been ravaged by a shortage in food production, a major drought, crop failure and a deadly malaria epidemic.
The U.S. Agency for International Development has provided economic and humanitarian assistance worldwide for more than 40 years.
Back to Top ^
|
