UNICEF: Milestone: Under-5 mortality rate dips below 10 mill

NEW YORK, USA, 13 September 2007 -- The world has reached an important milestone on child survival. For the first time in modern history, the number of children dying before the age of five has fallen below 10 million per year.

New survey figures reported by UNICEF today show solid progress, with worldwide child deaths at a record low of 9.7 million per year -- down from almost 13 million in 1990.

UNICEF Executive Director Ann M. Veneman called the new figures "historic" but also stressed the work that remains to be done. "The loss of 9.7 million young lives each year is unacceptable," she said. "Most of these deaths are preventable and, as recent progress shows, the solutions are tried and tested."

To read the full story, visit: http://www.unicef.org/childsurvival/index_40850.html

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• UNICEF
• child
• mortality rate
• survival