Established by the Government of Canada, International Development Week is an opportunity to learn more about Canada’s role in international development and the important work that is being done in developing countries.
To commemorate International Development Week in 2015, taking place from February 1-7, the Canadian Red Cross is highlighting its work in maternal, newborn and child health programming in three developing countries.
Pakistan
Every year, 200,000 newborns die in Pakistan in the first month of being born and less than half of women have a skilled health worker present while giving birth.
However, if you brave the narrow road on the mountains of Battagram district, located in the North of Pakistan, you will find the quiet village of Garhi Nawab Said. There, a miracle is happening - mothers and newborns are surviving. Read more.
Haiti
Five years after the devastating earthquake in Haiti, the Canadian Red Cross continues to improve access to health services for vulnerable communities in Haiti. In the South-East region, the Canadian Red Cross is investing $35 million in a health program that will improve access to quality health services for mothers, newborns and children, and strengthen community resilience through community care and first aid. Read more.
Kenya
In Narukumo, located in Central Pokot in Kenya, lives 32-year-old Simon Mariach. Simon is one of the 26 community health workers collaborating with the Kenya Red Cross to implement change around the community’s perception of health with an aim to reduce or eliminate preventable diseases.
In 2012, the Kenya Red Cross, with support from the Canadian Red Cross, began a Maternal, Newborn and Child Health (MNCH) project. When the project began, Simon had 162 individuals and 34 households in his village to work with. At this time, there were no households with latrines. Read more.
Read more about the work of the Canadian Red Cross on improving the health of mothers, newborns and children.