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Nutrition Summit in London a ’Historic Breakthrough,’ Says Save the Children


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WESTPORT, Conn — Reacting to the outcome of today’s global Nutrition for Growth event hosted in London by the UK government, the Brazilian government and the Children’s Investment Fund Foundation ahead of the G8, Save the Children’s president and CEO Carolyn Miles said:

"Today’s event is a historic breakthrough in tackling under nutrition – by far the biggest cause of under-five child deaths worldwide.

"U.S. leadership gave young children a seat at the grown-up table and dished out a strong, commendable commitment to combatting child malnutrition.

"Save the Children applauds the Obama administration’s pledge to reduce stunting among 2 million children through its Feed the Future program as a down payment to a broader stunting target. In addition, we are pleased to see a U.S. commitment of more than $1 billion in funding for global maternal and child nutrition programs. This new funding baseline is a positive step forward, and can make a real difference in children’s lives around the world. But with malnutrition causing nearly 3.1 million child deaths each year and diminishing children’s ability to learn and earn, an even greater investment is needed to wipe out this great scourge.

"We recognize that we are in a budget-constrained environment, and that Americans demand that their tax dollars be spent in the most efficient way possible. For that reason, we applaud the Obama administration’s bold leadership to reform U.S. food assistance, which would help nutrition programs reach millions more children and their families around the world at no additional cost to American taxpayers. We will work with the Congress and Administration to improve efficiencies and maintain and grow funding over the long-term until every child gets the nutrition they need to fulfill their potential.

Today is an impressive start to the G8 period and the commitments made will change millions of lives. We now need to ensure that all global leaders, including the U.S. government, quickly deliver on the promises made. Hungry children can’t wait"

Notes to Editors: Total funds mobilized for nutrition during today’s event included over $1 billion each from the UK and US governments and €3.5 billion from the European Commission.



Save the Children is the leading, independent organization that creates lasting change for children in need in the United States and around the world.



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