Support the Global Child Survival Act

More than 9 million children under five will die this year -- and every year -- from preventable and treatable diseases like pneumonia. They die because they were born in poorer countries and don't have access to simple treatments that most of us in America take for granted.

We can do something to help save these millions of young lives, and so can Congress. Members of Congress have introduced legislation called the Global Child Survival Act (H.R. 2266, S.1418) that would recommit the United States to lead the way in improving children's health by expanding funding for proven solutions like antibiotics and immunizations.

Give these nearly ten million children a stronger chance to live by urging your Senators and Representative to co-sponsor the Global Child Survival Act.

Sample Letter for Campaign

Subject: Support the Global Child Survival Act

Dear [ Decision Maker ] ,

A largely invisible tragedy is happening now, as more than 9 million children die yearly from preventable or treatable diseases such as diarrhea, pneumonia, and measles. Four million of these deaths occur to newborns less than one month old. That is why I strongly urge you to become a co-sponsor of the U.S. Commitment to Global Child Survival Act (H.R. 2266, S.1418) which would strengthen American's role in saving the lives of children and mothers in the world's poorest countries by investing in low-cost, highly effective, lifesaving interventions such as vitamins, antibiotics and vaccines.

U.S. leadership has made an enormous contribution in saving children's lives over the past two decades. Unfortunately, funding for these programs has remained stagnant in recent years, while these life-saving programs in many countries have actually lost ground. If we can direct resources to these essential programs and make saving the lives of children a national priority, we could save more than 6 million children each year through the extension of community-level health services in the developing world, where 99 percent of child deaths occur.

Now, more than ever, your support for the U.S Commitment to Global Child Survival Act is needed; it's the right thing to do for families around the world and it's the smart thing to do for American leadership in the world. Please co-sponsor the U.S. Commitment to Global Child Survival Act and help ensure that the tools we have available are put to use improving the health of children and their families. I look forward to your response on this important issue.

Sincerely,

Campaign Launched:
October 26, 2005

Background Information

More than 20 years ago, the United States joined nations around the world in making a major commitment to prevent or treat illnesses that kill and disable tense of millions of children each year in the world's poorest countries. Despite significant progress, the international community's "Child Survival Agenda" remains unfinished -- and in some cases hard-won successes in saving children's lives are being reversed.

The good news is that the member countries of the United Nations, as part of the Millennium Development Goals, have committed to cut these deaths by two-thirds in the next ten years. Members of Congress are working to introduce and pass legislation that would commit American resources to meet this important goal -- the United States Commitment to Global Child Survival Act. The Child Survival Act would:

Require the United States government to develop an integrated strategy for improving child and maternal health, and create an inter-agency task force responsible for its implementation.
Set out guidelines for child survival programs, including building local capacity and self-sufficiency, partnerships with non-governmental organizations, participation by local populations, focus on the poorest, and coordination with other donors.
Double current funding for child survival and maternal health programs from $450 million to $900 million in 2009, and $1.2 billion in 2010.