Supercommittee’s failure costs children’s lives

Washington, DC (November 21, 2011) —The Supercommittee let down Americans — and millions of people around the world who rely on the United States' good will and support to provide life-saving humanitarian assistance. The impact of these across-the-board cuts is clear: no help for millions of children and families who can be saved from preventable killers like malaria and malnutrition. Depending on the final numbers for FY2012, we could see anywhere from 10 to 40 percent reductions in humanitarian aid from FY 2010 levels. When it comes to food aid, across-the-board cuts mean 5 to 7.5 million people will not receive life-saving assistance. Right now, the House and Senate are considering a $5 billion difference between their perspective budgets for FY 2012, which will make the automatic cuts in FY 2013 even worse.

So how will this affect children and their families? A 10% bilateral cut would mean:

• 26,000 more babies will be born with HIV because their mothers lack adequate prenatal care
• 400,000 AIDS-affected orphans and vulnerable children will lose food, education and livelihood assistance
• 4.2 million fewer people will be treated for malaria, and 1.7 million fewer mothers and fathers will receive insecticidal bed nets
• Nearly 1 million fewer children will get vaccines to prevent tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis, flu, and hepatitis B

(Sources: Estimates are from the American Foundation for AIDS Research, GAVI Alliance, Friends of the Global Fight Against AIDS, TB and Malaria)

"The bottom line is that much of the progress over the last 10 years could be undone with these cuts," said Robert Zachritz, World Vision Senior Director of Advocacy and Government Relations. "Across-the-board cuts could have a devastating impact on America's humanitarian programs when for just the small price of a vaccine, bed net, a meal, or some medicine, a child's life can be saved."

Zachritz is based in our Washington, DC office and is available for broadcast, phone or Skype interviews. You can find his bio here.

Interviews are available upon request. Please contact Lauren Fisher (+1.206.310.5476).

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About World Vision:
World Vision is a Christian humanitarian organization dedicated to working with children, families and their communities worldwide to reach their full potential by tackling the causes of poverty and injustice. World Vision serves all people, regardless of religion, race, ethnicity or gender. Visit www.worldvision.org/press.