Children victims of poverty

Survival of children under 5 is still a severe problem despite some recent progress in the developing countries. Every day more than 26,000 children die from malnutrition and various diseases that are treatable. Instead of focusing on children and women's health the leaders of these countries pay a lip-service to the UNICEF demands and continue fighting amongst themselves for already diminishing resources. In many of these countries, in Africa, Middle East, and Asia there are corrupt governments, civil wars, violence in the streets, wars among chieftains and military. But of course, these have many other global causes that individual leaders of these countries simply are not in control of. How can these problems be solved?! I have no clear answer. Would anyone?

See the full report by UNICEF

'Miracle women'

Dedicated women in rural Nepal have been able to curb death mortality for children under 5. Various infections and diseases have taken lives of thousands of children in absence of adequate or any health care in rural village sites in Nepal. The government with the assistance of UNICEF has created the Female Community Volunteer Health Programme, which sends 'miracle women' out to these villages to help with advice, home care, immunization, etc.


This means that many of these women have to walk for miles due to lack of transportation to get to these villages and alleviate the suffering of children from pneumonia, diarrhea, malnutrition. In 2004 respiratory infections caused the deaths of 11,000 children in Nepal. The Programme now covers 33 districts in Nepal, a big advance within 10 years. While these women are limited in their medical knowledge or tools-- they use stop watches to detect pneumonia-- they are able to do miracles and have become special guests for these poor families... Full story here.

Talk about dedication!