Dingdong Dantes to run for children’s survival
October 6, 2012

Manila, Philippines – As the political race heats up for the coming 2013 senatorial and local elections, Filipino actor-producer Dingdong Dantes will run, not for any elective post in the 2013 polls nor after aswangs like in his latest movie TikTik, but in the world’s biggest children’s race on October 16, World Food Day, at the Yńares Center, Rizal Capitol Compound, Antipolo City if only to urge governments and world leaders to decisively address child malnutrition and ensure protection of child rights in times of emergencies and disasters.

Organized by Save the Children, the leading independent organization for children, and its partners, the Race for Survival is a 42-kilometer charity relay marathon where more than 20,000 children in over 40 countries around the world will pass the baton on the same day to beat Kenyan Patrick Makau’s world marathon record of 2 hours 3 minutes 38 seconds.

Every year, 7 million children worldwide die before their 5th birthday. “About 57,000 Filipino children die before their 5th birthday, due to preventable causes like diarrhoea and pneumonia. Malnutrition is the underlying cause of roughly one-third of these child deaths globally,” said Anna Lindenfors, Country Director of Save the Children in the Philippines.

Based on official reports, under-five mortality (or deaths per 1000 live births) from 1999-2008 is highest in ARMM (94) followed by Eastern Visayas (64), Mimaropa (49), Cagayan Valley (46), Davao (44) and Western Visayas (43). Under-five death is lowest in Metro Manila (24). Child mortality is higher in rural areas (46) than in urban centers (28), and is highest among the poor and mothers with no education.

“Ironically, the solutions are simple and readily available: more breastfeeding mothers, more children immunized, and more good food for children facing malnutrition and starvation,” Lindenfors explained.

“There are simple, proven and cost effective solutions to tackle malnutrition, and we are calling on world leaders to take urgent action,” said Lindenfors. “We need political commitment in order to win this fight – for the thousands of children in the Philippines who die needlessly each year.”

Read full article @ www.mynewsdesk.com/sg/pressroom/save-the-children-asia/pressrelease/

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