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For Lack of Pennies, the Children Die : With Western aid down, disease takes a dreadful toll in Third World--and so do wars

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Children die by the millions every year from measles, pneumonia and other easily curable diseases that can rage unchecked in Third World countries. Tragically, before they reach the age of 5, many of these boys and girls are doomed for want of a few cents worth of medicine or the boiling of unclean water.

In Pakistan, 15 cents will buy a packet of nutrients that can prevent a child from dying of diarrhea. Yet, that government spends 31% of its budget on armed forces and the weapons of war, including a nuclear bomb program. Only 1% goes to health. According to a series written by Times foreign correspondents John-Thor Dahlburg and Juanita Darling, childhood immunizations are no longer routine in Nigeria. Only 20% of the children now get the shots they need to keep them safe. Less than a decade ago, at least 80% of Nigerian youngsters received the proper immunizations. Why the deadly drop? The corrupt government of Gen. Sani Abacha should provide some answers.

In Peru, diarrhea routinely kills many Indian children before they turn 5. Extreme poverty in inaccessible villages makes these deaths almost predictable.

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In years past, more poor children could depend on the generosity of the United States and other foreign governments for help. Americans still send billions of dollars annually through public and private channels. However, recent cuts in Western foreign aid budgets have set back the fight against malnutrition and disease despite the efforts of Doctors without Borders, CARE and other charitable relief agencies.

Though common diseases are the primary killers, civil wars, religious conflicts and tribal disputes also fill small coffins. Two million children have died in this decade due to lethal disputes among adults, according to the State of the World’s Children, a UNICEF report released today, the agency’s 50th anniversary.

In El Salvador and other countries where civil strife has ended, land mines still threaten children. To spare children from the ravages of modern armaments, UNICEF proposes an antiwar agenda that would prohibit arming youngsters under the age of 18 and would bar the production of land mines.

Children need food, shelter and security to thrive. Sons and daughters should outlive their parents. Childhood should be a happy time, not a time for dying.

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