A fragile and precious resource, children the world over need special care and protection in order to grow into healthy, productive adults. All too often they do not get enough of either.
Millions die before they are five years old because they get too little food, or the wrong kind.
Millions die of diphtheria, whooping cough, tetanus, measles, poliomyelitis, and tuberculosis because they are not properly immunized against these diseases. Vitamins, powdered milk, drugs, and soap have been provided for distribution through health centres which are being established in cities and provinces. This education programme enables the children to learn about nutrition and the value of co-operation. Schooling starts at an earlier age than ever before, and women attend classes in literacy and home-making and take their children to health centres where they learn modern methods of rearing them. Despite these and other efforts to meet the needs of children throughout the world, much remains to be done.