ChildFund asks for help for African mums

MEDIA RELEASE Wednesday 12 May 2010

ChildFund asks for help for African mums

The plight of mothers and babies in the developing world is the focus of a ChildFund New Zealand appeal running this month.

A woman living in poverty in Africa is 300 times more likely to die in childbirth than a woman in a developed country such as New Zealand, says ChildFund´s maternal health expert Dr Anne Scott.

"Each year more than half a million women worldwide die from causes related to pregnancy and childbirth, and nearly 4 million newborns die within 28 days of birth. This does not need to happen. Millions more suffer - unnecessarily - from disability, disease, infection and injury.

"Cost effective solutions are available and could bring rapid improvements. Deaths can be prevented with clean delivery, adequate nutrition and opportunity for transport to health services when an emergency occurs," says Dr Scott.

ChildFund New Zealand chief executive Paul Brown believes New Zealanders naturally understand the importance of improving mother and child health.

"Most New Zealanders have benefited from the strong network of support and healthcare new mothers and babies receive in this country. We know that improving maternal and child health is an achievable goal towards closing the gap between developed and developing nations.

"There are simple things that New Zealanders can do to help save the lives of mothers and babies such as funding solutions through ChildFund and becoming advocates for aid."

For more information on ChildFund´s Mother and Baby appeal please visit www.childfund.org.nz or phone 0800 223 111.

ENDS

For more information or interviews, please contact: Kiri Carter, Communications Manager DD: (09) 366 2276 Mobile: 027 255 4391 Email: kiri@childfund.org.nz

About ChildFund New Zealand ChildFund New Zealand is a member of the ChildFund Alliance, an international child development organisation with 70 years of experience helping the world's neediest children, which works in 53 countries, assisting 15 million children and family members regardless of race, creed or gender.

ChildFund New Zealand works for the well-being of children by supporting locally led initiatives that strengthen families and communities, helping them overcome poverty and protect the rights of their children.

ChildFund's comprehensive programmes incorporate health, education, nutrition and livelihood interventions that sustainably protect, nurture and develop children. ChildFund works in any environment where poverty, conflict and disaster threaten the well-being of children.

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