JERUSALEM (January 11, 2009) -  Save the Children warns that Gazan babies' lives are increasingly threatened by deteriorating living conditions and two weeks of conflict, with Gaza's biggest pediatric hospital reporting that parents have been unable to bring ill children to the hospital. The World Health Organization reports that 34 out of 56 primary health care centers are open, but are seeing a 90 percent reduction in visits.

In addition, doctors and Save the Children staff in Gaza say that women are giving birth at home because they cannot reach a health facility. In many cases, they are being assisted by relatives or neighbors.

"Babies in the first month of life face the greatest risk of dying among all children globally," said Annie Foster, Save the Children's team leader for the Gaza emergency. "The threats to them are greater in a war zone, where danger in the streets prevents parents from accessing critical health services. Timely treatment of a complication during delivery can mean the difference between the survival of a mother and her new baby or not."

Research shows that most newborn deaths could be prevented if women had access to basic health measures such as having a skilled attendant during childbirth who can identify and refer or complications, counseling on newborn care during the first critical hours and days after birth, and pre- and antenatal care.

"Save the Children knows from decades of experience working to improve infant and child heath that simple measures - among them keeping newborns warm, and ensuring  treatment for pneumonia and diarrhea - can save babies' lives," said Foster. "Gaza's youngest and most vulnerable should be able to receive the care and attention they need."

According to UNICEF, approximately 320,000 children in Gaza are under 5 years of age, including about 40,000 infants under 6 months of age.

Even before the latest outbreak of violence, 50,000 Gazan children were malnourished, more than two-thirds of all children suffered from vitamin A deficiency and almost half of children under age 2 were anemic. Lack of access to food, clean water and medical supplies exacerbates threats to children's health and well-being. 

Save the Children is calling for a peaceful solution to the current crisis that endangers the lives of nearly every child in Gaza, and the lives of Israeli children in areas subject to attacks.  Save the Children is calling for a cessation of hostilities by all parties including air and ground assaults from Israel and rocket attacks from Gaza. The agency is also seeking free access for humanitarian assistance to allow aid agencies to provide much-needed relief to vulnerable children and so that children and their families can access essential services.