In Sub-Saharan Africa, severe adverse conditions have placed children at high risk: persistent and worsening poverty, rapid economic change and population growth, increasing urbanization, a changing family structure, growing numbers of orphaned refugees, and displaced women and children from internal civil strife. These conditions make a viable social policy for children under 5 years of age an urgent necessity. This report presents conditions affecting young children and explores strategies intended to ameliorate their conditions. Part 1, "Socioeconomic Indicators and Trends Affecting Child Survival and Development," discusses findings for 12 Sub-Saharan African nations regarding poverty; population growth; migration and urbanization; changes in family structure, and childrearing beliefs, and practices; and the increase in orphans, refugees, and displaced persons. Part 2, "The Status of Children in Sub-Saharan Africa," compares child status measures of African children with those of other regions, including physical needs, developmental norms, educational profiles, and early intervention. Part 3, "What Can Early Childhood Development Programs Do?" discusses the potential positive influences of early childhood education for the children themselves, their families, and society. Two appendixes list the countries involved and the key social sector indicators for child welfare. Sixteen figures delineate statistics. (Contains 61 references.) (KDFB)