Protected by $125 million of security each, the leaders of the eight wealthiest countries will decide if they can spend $40 per person on child and maternal health programs

TORONTO – June 22, 2010

NEWS
World Vision is at the G8 summit in force—in Huntsville, Toronto and the International Media Centre—making a final plea to eight of the world’s most powerful leaders to meet their promises to end needless childhood deaths.

After two years of presenting data, program plans and meeting with G8 governments to convince them to provide adequate funding for child and maternal health, World Vision staff from the G8 countries, Korea, and Africa are in the G8 waiting room hoping for an announcement that will meet the urgent funding needs.

QUOTES
“If child and maternal health funding comes in too low, or at the expense of existing commitments on hunger, AIDS and malaria, it will be less a victory to celebrate than a cynical shell game.”
—Dave Toycen, President & CEO, World Vision Canada

“The G8 backdrop is not a fake lake, it’s four million African children dying each year before reaching their fifth birthdays. More African representation is encouraging, but will it result in a new deal for Africa’s mothers and children?”
—Sue Mbaya, Director of Advocacy, World Vision Africa

FACTS

• 2/3 of children could be saved through simple interventions like better nutrition and skilled birth attendants (aid for maternal, newborn and child health currently accounts for only 3% of global aid)
• The 30 worst countries for child mortality account for four out of every five child deaths, but they get less than half of the aid for health
  • That equates to less than $8 per child, and less than $10 on maternal and newborn health in these countries. In some countries, including the DRC, Pakistan and Nigeria, donor spending is more than two thirds below this level. World Vision says a minimum package of primary health care in developing countries should be $40 per person.
• World Vision will spend $1.5 billion on child and maternal health over the next five years
• To reach the health MDGs in all developing countries donor contributions need to be $37.5 billion by 2012 and $42.5 billion by 2015
• Canada’s fair share of funding for the child and maternal health initiative is $1.4 billion

LINKS

• World Vision public actions around the summit www.worldvision.ca/newsroom
• About World Vision’s child health campaign http://www.childhealthnow.org/

For interviews with World Vision experts, contact:
Sharon Marshall, cell: 416-616-9147, Sharon_Marshall@WorldVision.ca
Tiffany Baggetta, cell: 416-305-9612, Tiffany_Baggetta@WorldVision.ca

World Vision is a leading Christian relief, development and advocacy organization dedicated to working with children, families and communities to overcome poverty and injustice. World Vision serves all people regardless of religion, race, ethnicity or gender.