THE “ELIMINATE” PROJECT

No child should die of a preventable cause.

Every day 25,000 do.


Believe in zero.

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A Message from Kiwanis International

“Throughout its history, Kiwanis International has been dedicated to helping children and communities. Adults and children alike, committed to living the ideals of Kiwanis service and leadership, have made significant progress every day in villages, towns, and cities around the world.”

“Nowhere has that commitment to caring been more evident, or effective, than in Kiwanis’ first ever Worldwide Service Project: the effort to eliminate IDD and to protect all children from the threat of IDD. Through rigorous fundraising and support, Kiwanis ultimately leveraged and provided nearly $100 million to protect children from preventable mental and physical disabilities.”

[The story is about iodine — a natural chemical element that many people don’t routinely think about. But this micro-nutrient is vital to human development. In most countries, the natural iodine content in soil is insufficient, and, as a result, large segments of the population may suffer from the absence of this micro-nutrient in their diet.]

[Although iodine deficiency was recognized early in the U.S. (during the World War I draft from 1917-1918) and iodized salt was made available in developed countries, the problem was largely overlooked in developing countries. With growing research findings on the neurological consequences of deficiency and evidence of its widespread prevalence, UNICEF highlighted elimination as a critical global goal. Early advocacy efforts by a growing number of partners, including Kiwanis, began to get salt iodization on the development agenda, with dramatic results.]

“Many may not know that IDD was an issue of concern in the United States until the 1930s, when iodized salt became a staple of almost everyone’s diet. In 1990, before Kiwanis entered the global IDD project, less than 20 percent of people consumed iodized salt. Today, approximately 70 percent of household salt worldwide is iodized. The IDD campaign has successfully led to the elimination of the disease in many parts of the world, and efforts are ongoing to eradicate IDD entirely.”

“Kiwanians everywhere should be proud of this accomplishment. Working hand in hand with UNICEF and other partners, we helped provide iodized salt — something that so many of us take for granted — to people suffering from inadequate iodine intake. In doing so, we changed the world for the better. I want to thank you all for helping give millions of children you may never meet the chance to live healthy, happy, and productive lives.”

“In my travels, I have been fortunate to see the benefit of the Worldwide Service Project firsthand. I have seen the children and the families who are free from the scourge of IDD. I have seen the power of a nickel, which is all one needs to provide enough iodized salt to protect a child for one year. The lives changed by the IDD project are legion, including those of the children and families protected by iodized salt, the Kiwanians who saw their donations save lives, and the young people of Kiwanis Service Leadership Programs who helped ensure that other youths could have the same opportunities for healthy futures.”

“Through the IDD campaign, Kiwanis truly became a family committed to protecting children and families. We made a promise to the world’s children. Today, I am proud — and humbled — to say the promise has been kept.”

— Donald Canaday, President, Kiwanis International

[Bracketed portions for fuller information from: United Nations Children’s Fund, Progress for Children: A World Fit for Children statistical review, UNICEF, New York, December 2007, p. 8.]

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A Message from the U.S. Fund for UNICEF

A lot of people talk about changing the world. Kiwanis International, in its partnership with UNICEF to eliminate iodine deficiency disorders (IDD), has actually done just that. Kiwanis’ steadfast commitment to this critical cause has helped transform the lives of millions of children around the globe.

The consequences of IDD can be life-shattering. An iodine-deficient diet can lead to severely impaired mental development and can rob a child of promise and potential. However, the prevention of IDD is accomplished with a simple and effective weapon: iodized salt. The collaboration between Kiwanis and UNICEF in promoting and facilitating salt iodization all over the world has yielded remarkable results. The proportion of the world population consuming adequately iodized salt climbed From less than 20 percent in 1990 to 70 percent one decade later. That is an astonishing achievement by any measure.

It’s important to note that IDD not only diminishes children’s futures but also threatens their survival and increases the risk of infant mortality. I want to acknowledge that the generous contribution of Kiwanians worldwide has also helped UNICEF save untold young lives.

With the commitment of devoted partners like Kiwanis, we have made incredible strides. Tragically, 25,000 children around the world still die every day from a range of preventable causes. UNICEF will take on any challenge — from pushing to eliminate IDD to combating malnutrition to delivering safe, clean water — until that number is zero.

Kiwanis has helped us get closer to this crucial goal and has immeasurably improved the lives of so many children around the world. We are grateful for the vision and dedication of this wonderful organization. On behalf of the world’s children, thank you.

Sincerely,

Caryl M. Stern
President and CEO, U.S. Fund for UNICEF

Countries and Territories Receiving Kiwanis-Raised and Leveraged Funds for the IDD program

source: UNICEF New York Headquarters and Regional Offices; Special Initiatives

Armenia
Azerbaijan
Bangladesh
Belarus
Belize
Benin
Bhutan
Bolivia
Bosnia-Herzegovina
Botswana
Brazil
Bulgaria
Burkina Faso
Cambodia
Cameroon
Cape Verde
Central African Republic
Chad
Colombia
Costa Rica
Croatia
Cuba
Côte d’Ivoire
Democratic Republic of Korea
Democratic Republic of the Congo
Djibouti
Dominican Republic
East Timor
Ecuador
Egypt
El Salvador
Equatorial Guinea
Eritrea
Ethiopia
Former Yugoslavia
Gambia
Georgia
Ghana
Guatemala
Guinea
Guinea-Bissau
Haiti
Honduras
India
Indonesia
Iran
Kazakhstan
Kenya
Kosovo
Kyrgystan
Lao People’s Democratic Republic
Lesotho
Liberia
Macedonia
Madagascar
Malawi
Mali
Mauritania
Mexico
Moldova
Montenegro
Morocco
Mozambique
Myanmar
Namibia
Nepal
Nicaragua
Niger
Nigeria
Occupied Palestinian Territory (West Bank and Gaza)
Pakistan
Panama
Papua New Guinea
Paraguay
People’s Republic of China
Peru
Philippines
Romania
Russia
Senegal
Serbia
Sierra Leone
South Africa
Sri Lanka
Sudan
Swaziland
Tajikistan
Tanzania
Thailand
Togo
Turkey
Turkmenistan
Uganda
Ukraine
Uzbekistan
Viet Nam
Yemen
Zaire
Zambia
Zimbabwe

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