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Save the Children’s Asia Director makes first visit to Northern Ireland

Dr Balwant Singh, Save the Children’s Regional Director in South & Central Asia has met with volunteers, politicians and schoolchildren on his first visit to Northern Ireland.

Thursday 24 April 2008

Dr Singh was one of the people at the forefront of allocating funds to those most affected by the tsunami, which hit South-East Asia in 2004.

During his two day trip to Northern Ireland Dr Singh was a keynote speaker at the Centre for Global Education conference 'Re-imagining Development Education'.

He visited schools in Newry and Belfast where he talked to the pupils about the current situation for children in each of the countries he works in, and in particular how Save the Children is working to reduce the high rate of infant mortality in the region.

Despite the growth in the Indian economy, India still has one of the highest child mortality rates in the world and Save the Children is currently campaigning to ensure that this is reduced significantly by 2010.

Progress has been made in other parts of the region. Bangladesh, one of the poorest countries in the world, has shown that simple cheap solutions can save children's lives.

At a reception in Clifton House - originally Belfast's Poor House - he spoke about the importance of supporting overseas work and thanked those who have fundraised tirelessly for Save the Children.

He also stressed the importance of continuing to support humanitarian relief in the countries where he works - including India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Nepal and Tajikistan. He highlighted that Save the Children works to save children's lives. Our current campaign is focused on tackling the terrible child mortality rates in many countries around the world.

Find out more

• Find out about Save the Children's work in Northern Ireland, India, Bangladesh, and other countries, in Where we are.
• Read about Save the Children's vital work, helping those affected by Cyclone Sidr, which hit Bangladesh in November 2007.
• Find out how we're saving children's lives, and how you can get involved.

PHOTOS:

Top right - Amy Hawthorne (P1) and Jimmy Walsh (P7) from Finaghy Primary School presenting Dr Balwant Singh with a cheque for £4000. Money they raised from their sponsored walk.

Bottom left - Top row left to right: Christine Patterson, Dr Balwant Singh, Sheri Chamberlain, Peter Bryson. Bottom row left to right: Ana Patterson, Bella Bryson and Fynn Bryson, at a reception at Clifton House, Belfast.