Children & Youth

Millions of children make their way through life impoverished, abandoned, uneducated, malnourished, discriminated against, neglected and vulnerable. For them, life is a daily struggle to survive. Whether they live in urban centers or rural outposts, they risk missing out on their childhood -- excluded from essential services such as hospitals and schools, lacking the protection of family and community, often at risk of exploitation and abuse. For these children, childhood as a time to grow, learn, play and feel safe is, in effect, meaningless.

Every year, more than 10 million children die totally preventable deaths. The world knows what it takes to improve child health and survival but millions still die because they lack access to these basic services.

Source: UNICEF, The State of the World's Children 2006