Mother and Child Health

	Every year, 10.5 million children die before their fifth birthday. Red Cross is working to help mothers and young children lead healthier lives.

Every year, 10.5 million children die before their fifth birthday. This means that 29,000 children die every day from diseases and illnesses that are mostly preventable.

Worldwide, over 530,000 women die every year as a result of complications during pregnancy and childbirth. In stark contrast to Canada, a woman living in a poor country is 100 times more likely to die during pregnancy and childbirth.

This tragedy must be stopped.

Red Cross Response

The Canadian Red Cross is committed to the achievement of the United Nations’ Millennium Development Goals. The goals aim to reduce preventable deaths of children under five, improve maternal health, combat the spread of HIV/AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis, achieve universal primary education, eradicate extreme poverty and ensure gender equality and environmental sustainability by 2015.

The Canadian Red Cross has been supporting maternal and child health programs since 1997, focusing on:

• Family education
• Community-based neonatal health
• Maternal health
• Prevention activities
• Nutrition

The Canadian Red Cross works in Nicaragua, Honduras and Haiti to help mothers and young children lead healthier lives. Red Cross also works in Africa to combat malaria deaths in young children and pregnant women by distributing insecticide treated bed-nets.

How you can help

Through the generous support of our donors, the Canadian Red Cross has the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of mothers and children.

Canadians wishing to support the Mother and Child health programs are encouraged to make a financial donation. Please give generously. Your financial support will rapidly be turned into help for the most vulnerable people affected by this situation.

Make your donation to Mother and Child Health:
Toll-free at 1-800-418-1111
In person at any Red Cross office
By mailing a cheque or money order to Canadian Red Cross, 170 Metcalfe Street, Ste 300, Ottawa, Ontario, K2P 2P2. Earmark your donation "Mother Child Health."