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Rho IDP site, Northeastern Congo
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Without adequate care, a child’s earliest years can be the most deadly in many low-resource countries.

The health risks for children are more severe the younger the child: as a global average, 85 per cent of childhood deaths occur in children less than five years old, but 47 per cent of those deaths are in the newborn period – the first 28 days of life.

Children under 15 years of age make up more than 60 per cent of patients in our projects, and many arrive in a critical condition or in the late stages of an illness. They are sick because they have not been adequately protected from disease or received appropriate treatment when they needed it. There are still many gaps in appropriate drugs, tools, protocols and staff for treating these young patients.

These are all factors why children under five in low- and middle-income countries continue to lose their lives to infectious diseases such as pneumonia, diarrhoea and malaria, and why newborns are failing to survive their first few days. This is also why older children face poor health long-term, if not death, due to chronic illnesses such as diabetes and epilepsy.

Quick facts about child health

WCD 2023

World Children’s Day 2023: Five wishes from MSF

msf.org.uk

Children are disproportionately affected by humanitarian crises, both directly – for example through the impact of conflict and disasters – as well as indirectly – through heightened vulnerability to consequences such as malnutrition and disease outbreaks.

For World Children’s Day 2023, we want to share with you our ‘wishlist’ for children and some of the work MSF is doing towards these goals. While some of the wishes may seem basic, the sad truth is that large numbers of children are currently facing failures in these areas. We strive to transform these wishes into a tangible reality for children in some of the most challenging environments.

Read our wishlist
Katiola program: Saving mothers and children’s life in Cote d’Ivoire

MSF Paediatric Days

paediatrics.msf.org

Paediatric Days is an event for paediatric field staff, policy makers and academics to exchange ideas, align efforts, inspire and share frontline research to advance urgent paediatric issues of direct concern for the humanitarian field. Paediatric Days focuses on paediatrics because in humanitarian settings, children are the most vulnerable group, with the highest risk of disease and mortality. Visit the Paediatric Days website to learn more.

Visit MSF Paediatric Days website
 
Sidama mother and child project, Ethiopia
Photo Story

Gallery: Mother and child healthcare project in Sidama

27 Oct 2014
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Sierra Leone

Sierra Leone: Paediatric & maternal services paused

Press Release 15 Oct 2014
 
Degehbur Hospital
Ethiopia

Mother grateful for MSF intervention

Voices from the Field 3 Oct 2014
 
Corine, whose two daughters are being treated for malaria
Central African Republic

“It is painful to see my children suffer like this”

Project Update 25 Sep 2014
 
preventive strategy against malaria (Seasonal Malaria Chemoprevention)
Chad

Reducing child mortality with SMC meds in Chad

Press Release 10 Sep 2014
 
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Niger

The mothers of light

Project Update 30 Jul 2014
 
Dr Raid Umran, Al Zahaara hospital, Irak
Iraq

“We have managed to reduce the mortality rates, even though admissions have risen”

Voices from the Field 22 Jul 2014
 
Saving Gatluok, malnutrition in Leer, South Sudan
South Sudan

Child malnutrition rates skyrocket in South Sudan

Press Release 14 Jul 2014
 
Cambodia Active Case Finding Pilot Program
Cambodia

Cambodia wasn’t initially on Helen Tindall’s radar ...

Voices from the Field 4 Jul 2014
Advanced HIV management in Homa Bay
Medical Resource

MSF Field Research

We produce important research based on our field experience. So far, we have published articles in over 100 peer-reviewed journals. These articles have often changed clinical practice and have been used for humanitarian advocacy. All of these articles can be found on our dedicated Field Research website.

Visit site