NEW DELHI, Aug. 5 (Xinhua) -- Optimal breastfeeding and complementary feeding practices can avert almost 20 percent of child deaths in India where breastfeeding is a cultural norm, UNICEF said on Wednesday.

    "Breast milk offers an excellent source of nutrition for infants and, especially where clean water is lacking, helps keep young children safe from dangerous water-borne illnesses like diarrhea," UNICEF Executive Director Ann M. Veneman said in an interview here.

    In honor of World Breast Feeding Week which lasted from Aug. 1 to 7, Veneman said, "In emergency situations, children and families often have to survive without adequate food, safe water and sanitation. In such circumstances, breastfeeding provides children with protection from infectious and respiratory illnesses,boosts their immune systems and helps protect them from chronic conditions later in life."

    According to UNICEF, providing encouragement and support to mothers to breastfeed their children, alongside support for the health and nutrition of mothers themselves, is an important key toreducing malnutrition.

    "Breastfeeding can save lives and plays a vital role in protecting infants from under nutrition and illnesses that are common byproducts of natural disasters and other emergencies," he further said.

    In the past 10 years, as many as 14 countries, including some that have experienced disasters and crises, have shown more than 20 percent increase in rates of exclusive breastfeeding, accordingto UNESCO.

    When the value of breastfeeding is recognized and concerted efforts are made to promote and protect the practice, progress is possible even in difficult times," the UNICEF Director said.

    "Currently only 46.4 percent of Indian children benefit from exclusive breastfeeding, an important child survival intervention," he said. "However, a recent UNICEF survey shows an improvement in breastfeeding indicators in most states."