More than 5,500 children die daily from diseases caused by consuming water and food polluted with bacteria, according to three UN (United Nations) agencies.

A new study released by United Nations Environmental Programme (Unep), United Nations Children's Fund (Unicef) and World Health Organisation (WHO) revealed that diarrhoea and respiratory infections are the major causes of child mortality.

The alarming figures from Children in the New Millennium said the environmental impact on health shows that children are the greatest victims of environmental degradation. This, according to the report, is despite great strides made over the past 10 years in improving both children's well-being and the environment.

The Executive Director of Unicef, Ms Carol Bellamy, said there was an increase in child death figures despite efforts made in the past 10 years to provide clean water.

She was adressing Heads of State and top govermet officials during the just concluded UN General Assembly Special Session on Children.

The 140-page report was released during the conference attended by more than 60 Heads of State and 170 national delegations.