Target: to halve poverty by 2015
Hawa (11) stands with her one-year-old brother strapped to her back. They live in Somalia.
Her brother faces a one in six risk of dying before his fifth birthday. For a child born in the UK it’s one in 166. Hawa, herself, faces a one in 12 risk of dying during pregnancy when she decides to have children of her own, compared to one in 1,400 for a British woman.
Today, pregnancy is estimated to be a leading cause of death for girls aged 15-19 in developing countries.
In the year 2000 global leaders made 8 promises to the poorest of poor; 8 Millennium Development Goals which, if fulfilled, would halve global poverty by 2015. The goals provided a unique opportunity to eradicate the most extreme forms of poverty from this world. We are now over half way through the time set and time is running short.
The good news is we are making a difference. Significant progress has been made in some areas. The number of people living in extreme poverty has fallen by almost 1/5. Fewer babies are dying at birth and dramatically more children are able to attend primary school. Ethiopia and Bangladesh, where there are now 26 million more children in school, are just one example of this. East and South East Asia in particular have made significant steps towards achieving the goals, such as the progress made on MDG 7 in India and Pakistan, where 45 million more people now have access to clean drinking water.
But at current rates of progress these goals will not be achieved everywhere. In many regions, especially sub-Saharan African, the goals are off track and in some places the situation is worsening. We promised safer water sources but every day 1.1 billion people still have to wash with, bathe in and drink dirty water. We committed to reduce child mortality and improve maternal health but nearly 11 million die each year from mainly preventable diseases such as diarrhoea and malaria and half a million women continue to die each year during pregnancy or childbirth.
It is not too late. Our children may yet grow up in a world free of the worst effects of global poverty but we must act now. On 25th September world leaders are gathering in New York for an emergency meeting on the MDGs. They will be reviewing the progress so far, identifying gaps and setting out concrete plans and practical steps for action. Join Christians around the world praying and fasting for this crucial meeting. Let’s make sure our promises are kept.
From The Bishop of London, Dr Richard Chartres
Heavenly Father,
whose son Jesus Christ came to bring good news to the poor,
to heal the broken-hearted, and to set free those who are oppressed:
give grace to Gordon Brown and the leaders of all the nations,
that, being so hungry for justice for your poorest people,
and fired with passion for their raising up,
they may be renewed in their determination to fulfil the promises they have made to them;
that the chains of hunger, disease and inequality may be broken;
and that all humanity may know life in all its fullness;
through him who came that we might have the same, Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen
Be hungry for change for the world’s poorest people.
This September is a pivotal time as world leaders come together for an emergency UN meeting to determine whether the Millennium Development Goals will be met.
Think: Fast is an initiative proposed by the Bishop of London, in partnership with Micah Challenge, to urge Christians – in London and beyond - to take action by praying and fasting in the ten days leading up to the UN meeting.
Join with Christians around the country in praying and fasting ahead of the crucial meetings.
Challenge your friends to find out how much they really know about the MDGs with this game from World Vision.
Help your friends to make a difference – invite them to join you in Taking Five
