The civil war between Government and Maoists has strangled the development of Nepal, the poorest country in southern Asia. In 2008, Terre des hommes (Tdh) took care of 96,000 children and families.


Solutions proposed by Terre des hommes

Special medical treatment – Tdh supports the orthopaedic children's hospital (HRDC), where physically disadvantages children receive chirurgical and therapeutic cares.

Nutrition – In the most poverty-stricken areas of Kathmandu, as well as in Banke and Lalitpur, Tdh advises mothers on how to prepare meals for themselves and the children, based on low priced foodstuffs.

Brickworks – Tdh was instrumental in improving the health conditions of 20 families working in brickworks and in providing protection against work exploitation.

Combating child trafficking – Innovative projects to fight child trafficking underline the role of prevention and provide a more selective care of the victims. A new regional project in cooperation with Tdh in India has been set up to fight cross-order trafficking between Nepal and India.

Protection of the child – In West Nepal, children and their families directly affected by the civil war receive psychosocial care helping them to cope with the traumas.


Results achieved in 2008

Special treatment –1,387 children received chirurgical and therapeutic cares in the orthopaedic hospital and reintegrated in their community afterward. 19,626 children received health examinations at schools.

Nutrition – In Kathmandu around 47,000 households in 11 urban districts benefited from the nutrition project. The team of nutritionists extended its working area from Kathmandu to the regions of Banke and Lalitpur, caring for 5,731 children.

Combating child trafficking – Together with the most important law schools in India, Bangladesh and Nepal new approaches were sought and publicised in a study. Within the framework of a campaign to raise public awareness 18,084 policemen, judges, customs officials and residents of border areas received specific training.

Protection of the child – 713 victims of the armed conflict received psychosocial care and assistance.


Challenges to be taken up

Adoption – Conditions suffered by children in orphanages often do not meet the international requirements on children's rights. Tdh, together with UNICEF, published a study on the situation of orphans and other children accommodated in institutions. The purpose of this study is to improve the children's conditions and to restrict their availability for international adoption. Child trafficking – Every year child traffickers sell thousands of underage children to brothels in India and Nepal. Those children are held in debt bondage and obliged to work off the price of their purchase. By social reintegration of the victims, and by networking with law schools and other organisations, Tdh seeks to break this vicious circle.


STORY - The convalescence of Tika from the Himalayas

The fifteen year old Tika comes from the Nepalese district of Kailali, a remote area in the west of the country. She is a Dalit (a so called "untouchable"). As Tika was collecting firewood and leaves, she fell down and damaged her spine. She survived the accident but could not walk anymore. She was confined to bed, which is probably the worst that can happen to a Himalayan child: walking is the only way to get about.
Luckily, a Tdh’s community worker found out about her situation during a house visit. She was immediately admitted to the children's orthopaedic hospital in Kathmandu. Complications arising from her being bedridden caused a steady deterioration in her condition and indeed threatened her life. Finally, it was decided to operate. Intensive treatment and care combined with antibiotics and protein rich food supplements brought about sufficient improvement to permit surgery. This and the post-operative care were successful: Tika attended intensive physiotherapy aimed at restoring as much of her mobility as possible.

Tika can now walk with assistance, and it is expected that she will regain complete independence and be able look after herself again. Judging by her progress she will soon achieve this aim. Tika's hospital stay changed her life – like the lives of thousands of other children who could be treated in the Hospital & Rehabilitation Center for Disabled Children HRDC, since it was founded by Tdh twenty-four years ago.