News & Events

INMED, US Coalition for Child Survival Call For Stepped Up U.S. Role to Reduce Child Mortality from Preventable Causes

Ashburn, Virginia (February 11, 2009) — INMED Partnerships for Children has joined the US Coalition for Child Survival in calling upon the U.S. government to renew its commitment to reduce the number of children under 5 dying each year from preventable and treatable causes, INMED President and CEO Linda Pfeiffer announced today.

With over 9 million deaths a year, or more than 25,000 each day, from causes such as pneumonia, diarrhea and childbirth complications, INMED and the Coalition urge President Obama and the new Congress to support child and maternal health interventions and to strengthen guidelines for federal reporting of U.S. sponsored programs.

“The United States has both a vested interest in securing the health of all at-risk children around the world as well as a humanitarian responsibility that most Americans support as a priority,” Pfeiffer said. “For about $7 per American each year, we can save the lives of millions of children and mothers. The U.S. and the world would only emerge stronger and healthier as a result especially in this time of economic and global instability.”

Pfeiffer added that a stronger U.S. commitment would enhance this country’s own national security and economy, while supporting the well-being of those around the world who struggle to lift themselves out of poverty. 

The Coalition’s Executive Director, Andrew Barrer, noted that between 1960 and 2005 child mortality rates in developing countries have been reduced by 50 percent with strong U.S. financial support. However, “ten million deaths a year is still unacceptable,” said Barrer. “Our goal is to remind policymakers of the opportunity to make high-impact, low-cost investments in child and maternal health programs, which save millions of lives every year.  We are thankful to have organizations such as INMED Partnerships for Children join in this effort.”

Members of Congress are planning to introduce new legislation in the coming weeks that will call for improved coordination and accountability in U.S.-led efforts to fight child mortality, and provide additional resources to save children’s lives.  Similar legislation in the previous session – the Global Child Survival Act of 2007 - was cosponsored by more than 125 Members of Congress.

About INMED Partnerships for Children

Since 1986, INMED Partnerships for Children (www.inmed.org), an international non-profit humanitarian development organization, has worked in more than 100 countries to fulfill a wide range of health, nutrition, education, violence prevention and community development projects that create a continuum of care for children from the prenatal period through adulthood by empowering families and communities to support the development of healthy, educated children for increased opportunities for the future.

About U.S. Coalition for Child Survival

The US Coalition for Child Survival is a broad coalition of organizations and individuals united to strengthen United States and global commitment to improve the survival and health of children in developing countries. The Coalition represents non-governmental organizations, faith-based organizations, universities, foundations, corporations, and private voluntary organizations. For more information, visit www.child-survival.org.

Contact Info:

INMED Partnerships for Children
Mary-Lynne Lasco, Director of Development
281-465-4693, or contact@inmed.org