In his opening remarks to over one hundred Christian leaders at the White House Prayer Breakfast, President Obama said that “I’m even more grateful for the work that you do every day of the year — the compassion and the kindness that so many of you express through your various ministries.”
President Obama addresses the audience at the 3rd Annual White House Easter Prayer Breakfast. Photo Credit: USAID
Many of the ministries that the President referred to are focused outside of the U.S. They are ministries, organizations and initiatives that partner with and complement the work of USAID. From efforts to increase the bounty of agricultural work with Feed the Future, to helping provide medical care that helps children reach their fifth birthday with the Global Health Initiative to literally freeing persons chained into human trafficking together with our Counter Trafficking in Persons efforts, the leaders and their supporters strengthen and extend their own goals of the goals of USAID.
After the Prayer Breakfast, the religious leaders took part in a briefing that included hearing about the tremendous progress that has been achieved in the last few decades in child survival from USAID Deputy Assistant Administrator for Global Health Amie Batson. In the past two decades child deaths have fallen dramatically, from 12 million in 1990 to 7.6 million in 2010. In fact, the goal of ending preventable child deaths is possible – if the world works together. Along with strong country ownership, partnership with faith-based and community organizations will be critical to make this a reality.
This is where you can help! In close collaboration with UNICEF, the United States is co-convening a Call to Action in June 2012 to set the course towards the end of preventable child deaths. We need your help to raise awareness and drive collective action! If you’re interested in learning more and want to partner with us, please email: FBCI@usaid.gov for more information.
Echoing the President’s remarks, thank you for you continued leadership, passion and dedication to helping the most vulnerable. Together we can create a world where every child, no matter where he or she is born, has an equal opportunity to survive and grow.
