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U.S. Can Do More to Help Children in Need Worldwide
WASHINGTON, DC (February 7, 2007) — After reviewing the administration's proposed budget for the next fiscal year (2008), Save the Children is urging Congress to adopt a balanced approach to international aid spending, protecting gains in key global health initiatives while increasing support for neglected programs that benefit children worldwide. Sustained support for core programs in development, health, education, food, and relief is critical for improving the capacity of developing countries to overcome poverty and respond to their peoples' needs.
"We applaud the President for his sustained commitment to fighting HIV/AIDS and malaria, but a selective approach that fails to tackle broader challenges in health, education, and other sectors as well is an inadequate response to the growing needs of children around the world," said Charles MacCormack, President and CEO of Save the Children.
"Every day 30,000 children under five-years-old die from preventable causes, 77 million children wake up without a chance to go to school, and 200 million go to bed without enough to eat. A balanced, comprehensive approach to creating lasting change for children in need requires United States leadership on all fronts."
President George W. Bush's budget request includes $5.4 billion for global AIDS programs and $388 million for combating malaria, historic highs for these Presidential initiatives to fight disease. However, the budget blueprint calls for only $345.6 million for maternal, newborn and child survival programs, a decrease from last year's level and well short of what is required. The President's budget request also includes $535 million for basic education programs, an increase over current levels but still far short of the global need.
"Investments the American people have made in fighting HIV/AIDS and malaria will ultimately be less effective if stagnant or reduced funding for other health, education, nutrition and other programs continues," said MacCormack. "Congress has the opportunity to adopt a budget that complements the President's proposed increases with greater support for core humanitarian accounts that address the full scope of challenges facing children in poverty."
