Every three seconds a child under the age of five dies.  A disproportionate number of these children live in developing countries, without access to clean water or basic medical care.  A child in sub-Saharan Africa is 500 times more likely to die from diarrhea than an American child. 
The majority of these tragic deaths are easily preventable -- through a combination of clean water, sanitation, improved nutrition, and medical treatment.

The target of Goal Four is to reduce the mortality rate by two thirds among children under five.

Making It Real
Episcopal Relief and Development is working to reduce child mortality in the developing world.  For example, through a partnership with the Episcopal Diocese of Honduras, ERD is providing health education, treatment, disease prevention, and improved sanitation to save the lives of children in several rural communities.

Ramón lives in the small village of Copan in western Honduras, where he barely earns enough money as a farmer to support his large family of 15.  A nearby river is the only source of clean water, and it takes hours of difficult labor to bring the water to his home.  Ramon’s village has no latrines either, which means the bushes serve as bathrooms.  Because of these unsanitary living conditions, his children often become sick with diarrhea and parasites.  Ramón worries constantly about their health.  Episcopal Relief and Development has recently begun implementing a comprehensive sanitation and health project in Copan with the Diocese of Honduras.  Soon, a water cistern and latrine will be built in Ramón’s village.  He tells us, “We’re happier. Now our health will improve…we already feel more secure.”

What You Can Do: ACT.
Build awareness about clean water, nutrition, and their effects on child health and mortality.  Submit an article on the subject to your diocesan or parish newsletter, Episcopalians for Global Reconciliation's newsletter, or your local newspaper.

Plan an adult education day at your church.  Share information on child mortality and come up with awareness-building activities to spread the message to more people.

For Further Consideration

• Start raising awareness by educating yourself about Water Issues Worldwide and how water is connected to disease.
  
  
• Calculate Your Water Usage and cut down your consumption of water and other precious resources.  Get your church or your community involved -- and use the activity to open a dialogue about child health and mortality worldwide.
  
  
• Join the Episcopal Public Policy Network and let your local representatives know you oppose factories in your area that pollute water.  There is only so much water on the planet -- and it is already scarce in more than 30 countries across the world.  Polluting water here at home makes less clean water available worldwide.
  
  
• Download the edition of ERD Now dedicated to clean water.

Go on to Goal 5  >>