Resolution GA-01

Heading:

Re: Infant Mortality in Africa

Submitted to: General Assembly

Submitted by: Norway

Date: November 15, 2007

Establishing in the PREAMBLE the principles that apply in this resolution:

Whereas Article 25, section 1 of the UNIVERSAL DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS states, “Everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of himself and his family, including food, clothing, housing, and medical care, and necessary social services, and the right to security in the event of unemployment, sickness, disability, widowhood, old age, or other lack of livelihood in circumstances beyond his control.”, and

Whereas Article 25, section 2 of the UNIVERSAL DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS states, “Motherhood and childhood are entitled to special care and assistance. All children, whether born or in out of wedlock, shall enjoy the same social protection.”, and

Whereas Article 27, section 1 of the UNIVERSAL DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS states, “Every has the right freely to participate in the cultural life of the community, to enjoy the arts and to share in scientific advancement and its benefits.”, and

Stating in the PREAMBLE the problems that exist:

Alarmed that the average infant mortality rate in Africa (88) is ten times higher than the rate for the developed world (8), and

Understanding many babies die from the diarrhea they contract from diseases associated with drinking unclean water and malaria, and

Shocked that it is estimated that 2.5 million children will die before their first birthday in Africa in the next ten years, and

Encouraged that children who receive regular vaccinations are far less likely to die before childhood,

Be It Hereby Resolved That the General Assembly:

1. The General Assembly start a program called Leaving Infant Mortality Behind (LIMB), the goal of which is to reduce the infant mortality rate by 25% in the next ten years.

2. LIMB will send 20 “healthmobiles” to the 5 countries with the worst infant mortality rates (name them). These health mobiles will be staffed by Doctors Without Borders and the Red Cross personnel and will be equipped with vaccinations, mosquito netting, simple water purifiers, and oral rehydration solution (a mixture of salts, sugar, and water known to greatly decrease the rate of children who die from dehydration resulting from diarrhea).

3. These healthmobiles will also distribute information to mothers about the benefits of breastfeeding as a way to pass along immunities to their babies and help their babies avoid water illnesses.

4. This program will last for ten years. After the first five years, LIMB will send a progress report to the General Assembly reporting on the successes and shortcomings thus far in the program.

5. If the program is successful, the General Assembly may choose to renew the program after the ten year term is up. At this time the General Assembly will also expand the program to five new countries who have problems with infant mortality.

6. The U.N. will ask suppliers to donate or deeply discount the vaccinations, mosquito netting, simple water purifiers, and oral rehydration solution needed from the healthmobiles. The remaining costs of this program will be paid by raising the U.N. dues of the ten wealthiest countries by 5%. This will raise over 51 million dollars a year, sufficient to pay for the healthmobiles, staffing, vaccinations, and other equipment.