Stamping out child mortality in Armenia

In the past five years, Armenia has shown tangible progress in reducing infant and child mortality rates. But further reductions are needed, as roughly 21 infants per 1,000 live births die before their first birthday. Most of these deaths occur during the first 28 days of life.

The statistics also mask wide economic disparities. Infant mortality rates in wealthy households are far less than those in poorer households, and Armenia’s rural areas lack the qualified staff and basic equipment needed to provide sufficient antenatal and neonatal care.

In early 2008, HayPost approached UNICEF with the idea of issuing a joint stamp dedicated to children and based on a child’s drawing. UNICEF and HayPost began their large-scale fundraising and advocacy campaign for saving newborns under the slogan, ‘Buy Five, Help Save a Life!’

The stamp will not only pay for the letter to be sent to its intended recipient, but will also publicize the issue of neonatal mortality in an effort to reduce infant deaths worldwide.

UNICEF will receive $.10 from the sale of each stamp. A local postal service, HayPost, will provide UNICEF with advertising space in its 900 post offices throughout the country, a crucial element for the success of the campaign.