NCBA CLUSA is joining more than 100 other businesses, NGOs, faith-based, civic and philanthropic organizations to support the 5th Birthday and Beyond initiative celebrating America’s global leadership for healthy children.

Over the past 25 years, the U.S. has played an essential role in one of the world’s most remarkable success stories—unprecedented progress to prevent the deaths of millions of children. This year, 6 million fewer children will die before their 5th birthdays than in 1989. Annual deaths from diseases such as pneumonia, diarrhea, measles, malaria and AIDS continue to decline dramatically.

NCBA CLUSA contributes to child survival and health by targeting women and children under the age of five while implementing many of its projects.

“A fundamental aspect of our work is nutrition-led agriculture,” said Amy Coughenour, NCBA CLUSA COO for International Development. “By integrating nutrition and agriculture, we create a demand for and access to healthy foods that address nutritional deficiencies and decrease malnutrition and stunting among some of the world’s most vulnerable populations.”

Through the Mangez Orange (“Eat Orange”) social marketing campaign in Senegal, NCBA CLUSA is raising awareness of the importance of vitamin A and how eating orange-colored foods such as sweet potatoes, carrots, squash, oranges, papayas and mangoes can help children avoid deficiencies.

Through 2015, NCBA CLUSA has committed to work for child survival and health by improving the nutritional status of women and children. Funded by USAID, the Yaajeende project aims to reduce stunting in children under five by 20 percent and reduce the number of underweight children under five by 25 percent in target zones in Senegal.

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Through REGIS-ER (Resilience and Economic Growth in Sahel – Enhanced Resilience), NCBA CLUSA is expected to reach 900,000 children under five in Niger and 600,000 children under five in Burkina Faso through U.S. Government-supported nutrition programs over the next five years. Additionally, more than 3,500 people in Niger and more than 3,500 people in Burkina Faso will receive training on child health and nutrition.

As a coalition partner, NCBA CLUSA will help promote 5th Birthday and Beyond by implementing the initiative’s communication toolkit.

NCBA CLUSA representatives will also attend a June 25 “thank you” event on Capitol Hill expected to salute bipartisan members of Congress, administrations and the American people. The event will also recognize the contributions of private sector partners, NGOs, multilaterals and other donor nations.

“Even as we celebrate, the needs remain,” 5th Birthday and Beyond organizers said. “Now is the time to recommit our investments in life-saving programs, providing millions of children the opportunity to survive and thrive beyond their 5th birthday.”