3 Million Children Die
D. S. Mitchell
Doctor’s Without Borders is a world recognized international medical humanitarian organization. The international medical relief organization was awarded the Nobel Peace in 1999. DWB delivers medical care to patients with NO political or religious agenda. The organization goal is to treat people where the need is the greatest. Helping people threatened by violence and social upheaval, neglect, natural disasters, epidemics or other health emergencies.
Worldwide, malnutrition accounts for 50% of deaths in children under 5 years old. Malnutrition claims 3 million children, making malnutrition the single greatest threat to child survival. Doctor’s Without Borders sends mobile clinics out into the most rural areas, where often conditions are untenable. Malnutrition in these regions is a huge problem. The DWB mobile teams have saved thousands of lives.
In the middle of emergency situations DWB medical teams work to break malnutrition’s cycle. Children under 2 years of age have small stomachs and very specific nutritional needs. If their diets are deficient in just one of the 40 essential nutrients they need, it weakens their young immune systems, and their chances of dying from even a minor infection or disease increases dramatically.
RUTF (Ready-to-use therapeutic food) provides all the proteins, essential fats, vitamins, and minerals that children trapped in nutritional crisis desperately need. If left untreated malnutrition can quickly lead to a vicious cycle of suffering and disease=-a trap that is hard to escape. DWB are able to respond swiftly during moments of crisis with the specific treatment malnutrition demands. These efforts can mean the difference between life and death for tens of thousands of young children.
Using RUTF has allowed DWB to treat malnourished children on an outpatient basis, providing mother’s with packets of RUTF, parents can treat their children at home. Today, only the most severely malnourished children–those who suffer from disease or other complications–are hospitalized and given round the clock intensive medical care. In 2016, Doctor’s Without Borders treated 261,800 malnourished children.
At Christmas I try to give a little more than the rest of the year to my favorite charities. I thought I would take a couple of minutes and ask you each to reach deep this year and donate a little more to your chosen charities. The world-wide displacement of entire populations is reaching a critical mass. Whether you chose to give to local charities like United Way and Salvation Army, or international organizations, like Doctor’s Without Border or World Wildlife Fund, please donate. You might save someone’s life.
Calamity Politics is a progressive on-line news magazine supporting a liberal agenda. Join the Resistance.
Dar
