UNICEF: child mortality down 27 percent since 1990

The U.N. Children's Fund says the number of children who die before the age of five has declined by 27 percent over the last two decades.

UNICEF spokeswoman Miranda Eeles says increased breast feeding, Vitamin A supplements, measles vaccines, mosquito nets against malaria and HIV/AIDS prevention have been mainly responsible for the progress.

She told reporters on Friday that about 9.2 million children under five died last year around the world. But improvements have been made in all regions including sub-Saharan Africa, where most of the fatalities occur.

Save the Children UK says the new figures are good news. Chief Executive Jasmine Whitbread warns however that high food prices and climate change could reverse the gains.