We are approaching a tipping point in the global effort to end preventable child deaths. Child mortality has halved in a generation, and we are seeing breakthroughs even in the poorest countries. But the fight isn’t over, and we need to redouble our efforts to achieve the Millennium Development Goals.

Low-cost solutions that would save lives still aren’t reaching many mothers, newborn babies and children – especially those who need them most. We are helping to change that.

Surviving the First Day: State of the World’s Mothers

Since 2000, Save the Children has produced annual reviews of the conditions facing mothers and newborns around the world. Using brand new data and original analysis, the latest version of the report shows just how far we still need to go to end preventable maternal and newborn deaths.

Click through to find out what can be done for the more than 1 million babies who die on the first day of life – making the birth day the most dangerous day for babies in nearly every country, rich and poor alike.  

Breastfeeding Saves Lives

Breastfeeding is a mum's powerful, natural antidote to hunger and disease. It's effectively a child's first vaccination - and in the world's poorest countries, the choice to breastfeed or not can be the difference between life and death.

If all babies were breastfed within the first hours of life, 830,000 children's lives would be saved every year, and even more would survive if mothers were able to exclusively breastfeed for a minimum of six months. 

Right To Food

Food is a right. Nutritious food is a necessity for children.

If world governments can save the global financial industry with investments of $600 billion, why can't we find $10 billion to save the lives of two million children?

Yes, I'll join Save the Children in calling on PM Stephen Harper to use his position to help lead the world in ending child hunger.

Tackling Malnutrition

Hunger is a death sentence for millions of children around the world. For many more, it’s a life sentence.

Malnutrition contributes to 1/3 of child deaths. And for those children who survive, the damage from malnutrition in their first few years lasts a lifetime. In poor countries, one child in four grows up stunted. It isn't because the world is short of food – it’s because food isn’t reaching the poorest families at a price they can afford. But simple solutions can make a huge difference.

Helping Health Workers

There is a shortage of at least 3.5 million health workers in the world’s 49 poorest countries.

Health workers are the single most important element of any health service, but in many countries where save the Children works, there simply aren’t enough health workers. To stop newborn babies, mothers and children dying, we need a health worker in reach of every mother and child. That’s why we’re helping to train 400,000.