18th March 2026

In 2024, an  estimated 13,400 children under 5 died every single day. A new report, published yesterday by the United Nations Inter-Agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation, finds that the pace of child mortality reduction is slowing, and in some places stalling, with the heaviest burdens falling on sub‑Saharan Africa and Southern Asia. Most of the 4.9 million children who died in 2024 did no from preventable causes; the most common being premature birth, pneumonia, and trauma suffered by the child during birth. Infectious diseases were also a major cause, with malaria leading to 17% of deaths of children who survived beyond their first month of life. The report that warns aid cuts could thwart the global goal of ending preventable child deaths. Unicef executive director Catherine Russell said, “No child should die from diseases that we know how to prevent. But we see worrying signs that progress in child survival is slowing – and at a time where we’re seeing further global budget cuts.” Abdurahman Sharif, senior humanitarian affairs director at Save the Children said, “Aid cuts are leading to increasing preventable deaths, threatening the continuity of lifesaving services at a time when needs are increasing. It’s reversing decades of progress.” 

Loving God, our hearts go out to all mothers and children who find themselves in vulnerable situations because health services are not available.  Forgive us that we have given reduced the priority to save children's lives. Forgive us that we deny life to infant children when we know we are able to sustain life.  We thank you for the work of all the medical teams around the world, often working in dangerous and underfunded situations. We pray that you will move among the leaders of nations by the power of your Holy Spirit.  May they have a key priority to ensure all people have access to medical care.  May child mortality be a measure of the success of their administrations.  Loving God we give you thanks for our children and for life itself.  In the name of Jesus, your Son, we pray.  Amen.

You can read the full report here.

A mental health and wellbeing support service for cancer patients on the Isle of Man run by the Mind Matters charity at the new Mannin Cancers Centre, can continue providing its services at least the end of the year. The service has been awarded a £55,000 grant by the Isle of Man Anti-Cancer Association. Andrea Chambers, Chief Executive Officer at Isle Listen and Minds Matter  said: "It's incredibly important to look after our mental health as much as our physical health, especially when going through illness." She added; There can be funding difficulties - there always are for charities - but we're very proud of this service, so it is lovely to know that it can continue.  This donation has been pivotal for us, at a time where funding specialist support is always a challenge for charities."

You can find out more about Minds Matter on the Isle of Mann here.

Lord, you are my light and my salvation.

You turn my darkness into light.

You are the God of light and life.

You are resplendent,

wrapping yourself in light.

The unfolding of your word gives light and understanding.

You are a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.

I praise and glorify you

and give you thanks

for Jesus, your Son.

In him is life,

and that life is the light of men and women.

He is the light of the world.

Praise be to you

for if we walk with you

we walk in the light

and have fellowship with one another.

May your light forever shine upon us, O Lord.

Amen.