• First Ever World Health Assembly Resolution to Fight Childhood Pneumonia

    For the first time ever, the World Health Assembly passed a resolution today focused on the prevention and treatment of pneumonia, the world’s leading killer of children under five. This resolution, approved by a consensus, reflects the growing momentum to fight this treatable and preventable cause of suffering and illness. “No child should suffer from a disease that is so easily prevented and treated,” said Mary Beth Powers, chief of Save the Children’s Newborn and Child Survival campaign. “Yet, more than 1.5 million children each year die from this disease. With existing and affordable vaccines and antibiotics most of

  • Actor Matt Damon Honored at the Save the Children Celebration of Hope Event in Greenwich, CT

    WESTPORT, Conn. (May 21, 2010) — Actor Matt Damon received Save the Children’s Leadership Award at the annual Celebration of Hope event in Greenwich last night. Damon was honored for his steadfast commitment to mothers and children in the poorest regions of the world. The benefit, which raised funds for Save the Children’s newborn and child survival programs, was hosted by Ann Curry, NBC’s Today Show and Dateline anchor. Other NBC attendees included Brian Williams, Meredith Vieira, Kathie Lee Gifford, Hoda Kotb and Jenna Bush Hager. Actor Matt Damon with his wife Luciana and Save the Children’s President and

  • Pakistan’s ‘Invisible Refugees’ Burden Cities

    The Khan family made it through Taliban rule, a military offensive and the three-day journey to this crowded city. Seventy-five members of the extended Khan family have been sharing three rooms and one bathroom in Mardan. The man lying on the floor was recovering from a recent stomach operation. But after more than a month of living together — 75 people, three rooms, one bathroom — they might not survive one another. “This is a test for us,” said Akhtar Jan, a mother of four who is part of the extended family. “If we don’t smile, we

  • Bowen defends lone child asylum policy

    Immigration Minister Chris Bowen is standing by the inclusion of unaccompanied children in Australia’s refugee exchange plan with Malaysia despite fierce criticism of the plan. A number of Labor MPs and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) have withdrawn their support for the proposed agreement since the Government confirmed unaccompanied children would be among the 800 asylum seekers to be sent to Malaysia. The plan, under which Australia will accept 4,000 registered refugees from Malaysia, has drawn heavy criticism from human rights advocates including Amnesty International and the UN Children’s Fund, UNICEF. And the UNHCR has