11-Year Old Boy Raises Fund For East African Crisis

In order to help the victims of the recent famine and drought in the Horn of Africa, various countries and international aid agencies are stepping up. But they are not the only ones who are contributing. An 11-year old school boy aims to raise $13 million for the region.

Andrew Andasi from Ghana told the Agence France-Presse, “I saw a BBC documentary about Somalia and I looked to my father and asked why are they so lean and hungry like that. I thought, I should help them.” According to the source, Andasi has already raised $4,000 out of his $13 million target. Impressive, isn’t it?

Meanwhile, the Chinese government has pledged to step up its aid for the Horn of Africa through the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) by announcing a 4 million yuan ($623,000) donation to ICRC operations in the region. ICRC spokesperson for Somalia Yves Van Loo confirmed that the agency in collaboration with the Somalia Red Cross, has distributed more than 3,000 tons of food in eight provinces in southern Somalia.

In response to the East African crisis, another international aid organization, Save the Children, recently launched a mass feeding program for Kenyan children under 3 which also includes pregnant women and lactating mothers.

-Nisha Noor

SOURCE: DEVEX

Groundbreaking Study Introduces A New Sustainable Way To Reduce Infant Mortality

A Pakistan-based study published recently in the Lancet shows that instead of relying on technological measure, simple counseling on maternal and infant care can largely reduce the infant mortality problem. Funded by the World Health Organization and Save the Children's Saving Newborn Lives Program, and supported by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the study integrated counseling on newborn health practices into Pakistan's public health system in the rural district of Hala. More than 3 million infants die annually which is 40% of 8.1 million annual child deaths. But it has been estimated that, only in Pakistan, this simple measure could save 100,000 lives per year.

The research trial trained Pakistan's "lady health workers" in Hala to provide counseling on maternal and newborn health care, partnered with local birth attendants, and make home visits to teach simple newborn care methods. These include, early and exclusive breastfeeding, delayed bathing, and recognizing early signs of serious infant illness. Due to this trial, infant mortality and stillbirth dropped there by 15-20% in only 2 years. According to the scholars and trainers, this low-cost low-tech groundbreaking study can have a huge impact in other developing countries where people cannot afford expensive treatment. The study also shows that reducing infant mortality in this way is not only achievable but also sustainable.

-Nisha Noor

SOURCE: SAVE THE CHILDREN