Child Health Now is World Vision’s global campaign to ensure governments in both developed and developing countries meet their commitments to end the preventable deaths of children under five.
Every year, 7.6 million children die before their 5th birthday – many from neonatal complications and preventable causes like diarrhoea, pneumonia and malaria. Every year, more than 340,000 women in the developing world die from complications during pregnancy or childbirth.
Although progress has been made in reducing child deaths – from 12.4 million in 1990 to 7.6 million in 2010 – more still needs to be done.
Why should Christians be involved?
World Vision’s founder, Bob Pierce, is known for a simple prayer: “Let my heart be broken by the things that break the heart of God”. This prayer reminds us of God’s continued love and involvement in the world and motivates us to act on tragic realities such as preventable child deaths.
Children are indicators of the wellbeing of a society and hold a special place in the heart of God. With the progress we know is possible in reducing child mortality it is unthinkable that the church would not advocate for continued progress and change.
Through Child Health Now, World Vision hopes to tap into and support an unstoppable movement of people seeking life in all its fullness for every child.
What can your church do?