2 billion people live in absolute poverty. That is one third of the world’s population.
FACT:
•200,000 child slaves are sold every year in Africa. There are an estimated 8,000 girl-slaves in West Africa alone.
•One in six African children dies before the age of five. Most of these deaths could be prevented.
• Nearly one third of children in Sub-Saharan Africa are underweight.
• In sub-Saharan Africa, measles takes the life of a child nearly every minute of every day. An effective measles vaccine costs as little as $1 per child.
• Between 12 and 14 million African children have been orphaned by HIV/AIDS.
• Nearly 2 million children under 14 years old are HIV positive.
• 43% of children in Sub-Saharan Africa do not have safe, accessible drinking water.
• 64% of children in Sub-Saharan Africa do not have adequate sanitation.
• Only 57% of African children are enrolled in primary education, and one in three of those do not complete school.
• For every 100 boys there are only 83 girls enrolled at primary school.