In sub-Saharan Africa, 10 to 20 percent of children die before turning five, and maternal deaths from pregnancy-related events, rare in most industrialized countries, occur far too frequently. As of 2010, only 19 of the 68 Countdown to 2015 priority countries—which account for more than 90% of maternal and child deaths worldwide— were on track to meet the target on child survival. Maternal mortality continues to remain high with little evidence of progress. As many of the world’s poorest countries are making insufficient progress toward achieving MDGs 4 and 5, it is evident that strong political will, civil sector engagement and community awareness continue to be crucial but insufficient to.
