One child dying every five seconds

6.3 million children below age 15 worldwide died last year from preventable diseases,  a lack of clean water, malnutrition and during birth. One child dying every five seconds who needn't.

"Millions of babies and children should not still be dying every year from lack of access to water, sanitation, proper nutrition or basic health services," said Princess Simelela of the World Health Organization.

Most deaths last year - 5.4 million - were children below the age of five, according to the report, which also found that babies born in sub-Saharan African or South Asian nations were nine times more likely to die than those from richer countries.

"We have made remarkable progress to save children since 1990, but millions are still dying because of who they are and where they are born," said Laurence Chandy, director of data and research for UNICEF. "With simple solutions like medicines, clean water, electricity, and vaccines, we can change that reality for every child," he said in a statement.