New Zealanders watching the Commonwealth Games can help save children's lives

Thousands of New Zealanders tuning into the Commonwealth Games from next Monday have the opportunity to help save the lives of almost two million children who die in India every year before their 5th birthday from easily preventable causes.

“Reports of children working on Commonwealth Games construction sites are part of a much larger picture. With a conservative estimate of 12 million children in India working under the age of 14, the gap between rich and poor is growing and the poorest children are paying for this with their lives,” says Liz Gibbs, CEO of Save the Children New Zealand.

Save the Children’s A Fair Chance At Life – Why Equity Matters for Child Mortality reports that the child mortality rate in the poorest quintile is almost three times higher than in the richest quintile, and that India’s current rate of reduction in under-five mortality is just 40% of what’s needed to achieve MDG 4 by 2015 – the reduction of child mortality by two-thirds.

“The Games is focussing millions of people on Delhi for the next two weeks. We all need to understand how simply we can make a difference and help save children’s lives there, and in other poor communities around the world. The number of children who die before their 5th birthday is one of the best barometers of global social and economic progress,” says Ms Gibbs.

“Children do not die randomly: 99% of child deaths take place in developing countries and within these countries children from the poorest background are least likely to survive.”

In New Zealand, Save the Children has launched its annual appeal focusing on its EVERY ONE campaign – the organisation’s largest ever global campaign to save the lives of more than eight million children who die every year from easily preventable causes before their 5th birthday.

“Everyone must acknowledge the importance of childhood and children’s right to have a healthy start in life wherever they may live in the world. Donations collected will go to increasing investment in healthcare and nutrition for children in the world’s poorest communities including India,” says Ms Gibbs.

To raise awareness and donations Save the Children is organising an official attempt on a new Guinness World Record for the largest simultaneous yo-yo. The current record is 662 participants in Birmingham UK. The record attempt will be held at the Michael Fowler Centre, Wellington Friday 1 October 12noon-1pm.

“The Guinness World Record is an example of New Zealanders playing our part and using our collective action to help save children’s lives. We all can do one thing to help save and improve the lives of children around the world. By doing one thing, we can all make a difference.”