'Accelerating Action in Africa': Ending Preventable Maternal and Child Deaths within the Next Generation

WASHINGTON, Aug. 6, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Save the Children Action Network welcomes the commitment by the Obama administration to save the lives of 8 million children and 350,000 mothers by 2020, and to "Accelerate Action in Africa" to end preventable maternal and child deaths. The U.S. Africa Summit concluded in Washington, D.C., today with a pledge by the U.S. to work with African nations on these key deliverables.

"This is a promising first step for the survival of moms and their babies in Africa, and its importance requires strong and sustained presidential leadership. The future of Africa is all about the well-being of children – and with one in 10 children dying there every day, it is critical we act now," said Mark Shriver, president of Save the Children Action Network. "We look forward to working with President Obama, USAID Administrator Raj Shah and other U.S. government and African leaders on 'Accelerating Action in Africa,' to reach our collective goal of ending preventable maternal and child deaths within a generation."

Save the Children Action Network calls on the president to announce the creation of a high-level, international, multilateral action tank comprised of experts from civil society, U.S. and African governments and the private sector to produce new policy recommendations, and to develop a financing framework by Mothers' Day 2015. This group should begin convening at the U.N. General Assembly in September. 

The announcement at the Summit elevates the administration's "Acting on the Call: Ending Preventable Child and Maternal Deaths," a report released by USAID that provided an evidence-based plan for increased progress on maternal, newborn, and child health through 2020.   This week's announcement, "Accelerating Action in Africa," builds on this vision and offers a framework for Africa to contribute to a bolder global effort that brings in new partners and mobilizes new resources to end preventable maternal and child deaths.

"I am very encouraged the U.S. government is making this commitment. This will help give Africa's children what we want for all children around the world: a healthy start in life," said Carolyn Miles, president and CEO of Save the Children.

About Save the Children Action Network

Founded by Save the Children in 2014, Save the Children Action Network is a new organization dedicated to mobilizing Americans around a commitment that cannot wait – investing in early childhood now. Established to expand Save the Children's capacity to transform young lives, Save the Children Action Network engages our government, businesses, partner organizations and supporters to take bold action and to hold our elected leaders accountable for the youngest, and too often forgotten, global citizens – our children.

Save the Children gives children in the United States and around the world a healthy start, the opportunity to learn and protection from harm. We invest in childhood – every day, in times of crisis and for our future. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

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SOURCE Save the Children Action Network