UN launches $40bn woman and child health plan
"Women and children play a crucial role in development. Investing in their health is not only the right thing to do - it also builds stable, peaceful and productive societies."
- Secretary General Ban Ki-moon
The UN has launched a $40bn (£25.5bn) health initiative aimed at saving the lives of 16 million women and children over the next five years.
Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said women and children "play a crucial role in development".
About eight million under-fives die every year and more than a third of a million women lose their lives during pregnancy or childbirth.
Funds for the plan have been pledged by governments and private aid groups.