President Chissano launches UNICEF report “The State of the Africa’s Children 2008”

© UNICEF Kenya/2008/ Sittoni UNICEF Kenya Representative Olivia Yambi (left) and Former President of Mozambique Joachim Chissano hold newborns during a visit to Kenya's Majengo slum prior to the country launch of the State of Africa’s Children 2008

24 November 2008 – NAIROBI, Kenya, 25 November 2008 - UNICEF’s inaugural report The State of the Africa’s Children (SOAC) 2008 was launched today by Former President of Mozambique, Joachim Alberto Chissano in Nairobi, Kenya.

During a press conference hosted by Kenyan Prime Minister Raila Odinga, the renowned African leader called the report “An excellent blueprint on how to accelerate the attainment of health-related MDGS”.

The inaugural edition of SOAC complements The State of the World's Children (SOWC), the most comprehensive and authoritative report produced by UNICEF every year on the world's youngest citizens. The report outlines some of the recent achievements in child survival and primary healthcare in Africa.

Despite of the hard-won gains, Africa, and particularly Sub-Saharan Africa, remains the most difficult place in the world for a child to survive, says the report. With only 22 % of the world’s births, Sub-Saharan Africa now accounts for half of all under-five deaths.

The report shows that in 2006, 5 million African children died before reaching their fifth birthday, an average of 14,000 a day. Of the 10 countries that have highest under-five mortality rates in the world, Sub-Saharan African countries accounted for nine. Between 1970 and 2006, Sub-Saharan Africa reduced its under-five mortality rate by just one third during the 36-year span.

It urges all stakeholders – including governments, international agencies, non-governmental organizations, civil society and the private sector – to unite behind the goals of maternal, newborn and child survival.

“In the whole report the need of uniting efforts and solidarity is a common feature,” remarked President Chissano. “It is now time to renew our commitment and efforts towards child survival and health. Together we can succeed in our quest to achieve social justice and sound health for the African children.”

Earlier today, President Chissano paid a visit to an impoverished community on the outskirt of Nairobi. He met with a mother who just delivered her twin daughters at a local clinic three weeks ago. Through community health workers, Saumu Yusuf, 27, heard about the health services offered at the clinic, and started going for regular check-ups during her pregnancy. She delivered her babies with the help of trained medical workers, and paid only 20 Kenya Shillings (US 25 cents) for the service.

Not too far from Saumu’s home, Alice Koki, 29, told President Chissano about the loss of her three-week-old baby. She delivered her child at home without any health worker’s assistance, except her friend, who cut the umbilical cord of the baby. She didn’t take her sick baby to the local clinic because she didn’t know that there were affordable services there. One night she put the baby to sleep, and he never woke up.

“We know the most effective way to save children’s lives is by investing at the community level,” said Olivia Yambi, UNICEF Representative in Kenya, who accompanied President Chissano in the field trip. “UNICEF strongly supports the decision by the Government of Kenya to focus on community level action and the empowerment of families to protect and ensure their children grow to their full potential.”

If Sub-Saharan Africa is to meet Millennium Development Goal of reducing child mortality by two-thirds by 2015, an annual mortality reduction rate of more than 10 per cent is needed over the next eight years.

“It is clear that we need strong political will from each African government,” said UNICEF Regional Director of Eastern and Southern Africa, Per Engebak. “There is no cause more important than ensuring our children survive and thrive with the best start in life.

“UNICEF’s is deeply grateful to President Chissano and his commitment to child survival,” continued Mr. Engebak. “We are very pleased to have a respected African leader, a tireless humanitarian and an inspiration for good governance with us today. He is the perfect voice to help us advocate for children’s rights at the highest level.”

For more information, please contact:

Pamella Sittoni, Communication Specialist, UNICEF Kenya, Tel: +254 728600830 psittoni@unicef.org
Sara Cameron, Chief Communication, UNICEF Kenya, Tel: +254 722585262 scameron@unicef.org
Kun Li, Communication Specialist, Tel: +254 734813983 kli@unicef.org