KATHMANDU, April 30 (Xinhua) -- Save the Children in collaboration with United States Agency for International Development (USAID-Nepal) has launched the "Knit One Save One" advocacy event in Nepal, said a press release issued by Save the Children on Thursday.

    The objective of the campaign is to raise awareness that most newborn deaths are preventable, and to highlight that low-tech, evidence-based, cost effective solutions to reduce neo-natal mortality already exist.

    "This event was also meant to garner government commitment and resources to further extend appropriate health care to mothers and newborns, and encourage the government to prioritize newborn health in national plans," said the release.

    The campaign has brought together thousands of volunteer knitters from United States like students, teachers, and celebrities to knit cap for newborns in the developing countries like Nepal to help reduce neonatal mortality.

    It is stated that Save the Children has collected over 100,000 caps from these committed knitters of which 50,000 are being distributed in Nepal through child clubs, mothers' groups and female community health volunteers.

    The remaining is being distributed to eight different countries in Asia, Africa and Latin America.

    At the event, the United States Ambassador to Nepal, Nancy J. Powell, remarked, "The ongoing commitment and support of the Government of Nepal, donor communities, development organizations and media for maternal and child health is critically important."

    Save the Children, Ministry of Health and concerned partners are implementing a community-based Newborn Care Program in eight districts across the Nepal, Nepali national news agency RSS reported on Thursday.

    It is stated that four million newborns, worldwide, die every year within their first month of life, half of them within the first 24 hours. Nepal has one of the highest neonatal mortality rates in the world at 33 deaths per 1,000 live births.

    The press release said approximately 25,000 newborns die every year, 2 to 3 newborn deaths every hour. Neonatal mortality contributes to 54 percent of under-five mortality, making its reduction a key for reaching Nepal's Millennium Development Goal of reducing child mortality.