Each day, more than 800 women world-wide die from pregnancy or childbirth related complications. This Mother’s Day, join ADRA Canada and stand up for Maternal, Newborn and Child Health (MNCH)
MNCH is one of the most common acronyms used in discussions on global health, yet many Canadians have never heard of it. In Canada, access to health care and nutrition ensures MNCH deficiencies are the exception rather than the norm. Unfortunately, in other parts of the world, MNCH is of major concern as maternal and child mortality rates are unacceptably high. That’s why, this Mother’s Day, ADRA Canada – part of the world-wide ADRA network, working to end extreme poverty in some of the poorest communities of the world – is calling on Canadians to show their heart for maternal health by helping to raise much-needed awareness through social media.
ADRA photo (2).jpgThe Show your Heart for Maternal Health campaign encourages Canadians to raise awareness for MNCH by sharing a photo or video with their hands placed over their belly buttons in the shape of a heart, using the hashtag #Heart4MaternalHealth. Show your Heart for Maternal Health is designed to develop a deeper understanding of global MNCH in Canada and to drive active involvement of Canadians. Nearly all maternal and child deaths are preventable and by helping to improve MNCH, we can help save lives.
ADRA Canada will launch the campaign on its social media channels April 24, 2017, leading up to Mother’s Day, and will ask Canadians to participate until the end of May.
“Pregnancy is a time for full hearts and joy, but because of poor maternal health in developing countries and remote communities, it often ends in heartbreak,” says James Astleford, Executive Director, ADRA Canada. “In Cambodia, Myanmar, Philippines and Rwanda, the most significant causes of maternal and child mortality are high rates of acute and chronic malnutrition of mothers and children. If babies don’t receive enough nutrition within the first 1,000 days of life, the brain does not develop properly and this is irreversible. These deaths and consequences of severe malnutrition are preventable. By increasing awareness of MNCH among Canadians, we are sending a message of hope and support – encouraging more Canadians to take action.”
Show Your Heart for Maternal Health is part of ADRA Canada’s EMBRACE project – a four-year initiative, primarily funded by the Government of Canada.
About EMBRACE
In February 2016, ADRA Canada was honoured to be selected as one of the top recipients of Partnership for Strengthening Maternal, Newborn and Child Health (PSMNCH) funding for the EMBRACE program. EMBRACE (Enhancing Maternal, Child and Newborn Health in Remote Areas through Revitalized Health Care and Community Engagement) aims to improve and save the lives of mothers and children in extremely vulnerable areas of Cambodia, Myanmar, Philippines and Rwanda by improving access to quality health services and enhancing nutrition. EMBRACE is expected to contribute directly to the improved health of approximately 100,000 people, including approximately 33,000 children.Canadians are encouraged to visit HeartForMaternalHealth.ca to follow ADRA Canada’s journey and learn more about the EMBRACE project.
About ADRA
Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) seeks to identify and address social injustice and deprivation in developing countries. ADRA invests in the potential of individuals through community development initiatives targeting Food Security, Economic Development, Primary Health and Basic Education. ADRA’s emergency management initiatives provide aid to disaster survivors. Learn more about ADRA at our website www.adra.ca