Canada's $3.5 billion pledge must reach uncounted and invisible children

World Vision Canada President and CEO Dave Toycen responds to Canadian commitment of $3.5 billion for child and maternal health:

TORONTO, May 29, 2014 /CNW/ - "We are pleased with today's news that Canada has committed to a new phase in saving the lives of vulnerable newborns, children and mothers. This announcement of $3.5 billion is going to create global momentum that will save the children and mothers whose lives still hang in the balance. Canada's leadership at this moment is critical as the G7 prepares to meet next week, the UNGA convenes in a few short months and the world begins to put concrete plans in place for post-2015 goals.

Money pledged today must target the uncounted and invisible children and mothers that global efforts have not yet reached—these are the most vulnerable. They live in remote places, fragile states, urban slums and are on the margins of their communities because they are orphans, disabled or part of ethnic minorities. It's horrific that 2.9 million newborns die every year in the first month of life. Many of these babies are the uncounted victims of this health tragedy as their names are never recorded anywhere.

We saw a domino effect happen in 2010 when Canada kick started a G8 campaign that led to a $40 billion global commitment. This was key to accelerating the progress on child and maternal mortality—numbers of deaths dropped faster than ever before. The world's children and mothers need this to happen again. We're looking for Canada to leverage this commitment to reignite momentum and secure pledges from other donor countries, businesses, philanthropists, NGOs and developing countries.

World Vision is on the frontlines of the response to this tragedy, working in communities in 100 countries. In 2010 World Vision pledged $1.5 billion for child and maternal health by 2015. We are set to exceed our target and spend $2 billion by 2015. We're seeing real change in the lives of children and women who have been reached so far, but also see the incredible need in places like Afghanistan and South Sudan where the most vulnerable still need life-saving health services to reach them."   

Media Resources:
VIDEO of children and mothers receiving healthcare
VIDEO of data collection
PHOTOS
UNCOUNTED AND UNREACHED REPORT

World Vision is a Christian relief, development and advocacy organization dedicated to working with children, families and communities to overcome poverty and injustice. World Vision serves all people regardless of religion, race, ethnicity or gender. Visit our News Centre at worldvision.ca

SOURCE: World Vision Canada

Media Contacts: Tiffany Baggetta - cell: 416-305-9612, [email protected]; Britt Hamilton - cell: 416-419-1321, [email protected]