World Vision Expresses Concern for Street Children in Pakistan

One of the largest Christian relief and development organisations in the world expressed concern Sunday for the growing numbers of children on the streets of Pakistan’s major cities and urban centres. Numbering around 1.2 million, these children constitute the country’s largest and most ostracised social group.

"World Vision is gravely concerned with their growing numbers," said World Vision Country Director, Sigurd Hanson in a recent statement released by the organisation. "Children are turning to the streets amidst increasing poverty, unemployment, swelling family size and social disintegration seen in abuse in schools, as well as domestic violence, neglect and family breakdown."

According to World Vision’s Middle East/Eastern Europe office (MEERO), statistics bode ill for this nation where more than 40% of the population is under 15, 48 million people live below the poverty line and earn less than £1.00 a day. Nine out of 100 children die before they reach their first birthday. Half the population is illiterate.

"Street wise" as early as four, these children beg and scavenge around garbage dumps or industrial waste sites or take on menial jobs as cart pushers or dish washers, working 12-15 hours a day to earn around 75 rupees (or 70p) – enough to buy a meal if they are fortunate, World Vision reports.

Most survive by prostituting themselves, stealing or smuggling, making them vulnerable to contracting sexually transmitted infections, HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, jaundice and liver or kidney disorders. A large proportion sniffs cheap, readily available solvents to starve off hunger, loneliness and fear.

"World Vision is acutely aware that these children desperately need protection, care and a sense of belonging. We are committed to making this a national priority. If we don’t act now, they will constitute another lost generation," said Hanson.

Currently, World Vision Pakistan is appealing for funds to implement a comprehensive, long-term program initially focusing on advocacy, raising awareness of children’s rights, HIV/AIDS awareness, prevention and referral for treatment.

Working through local partners, World Vision will also establish drop-in-centres in Lahore and Rawalpindi in the Punjab Province and Peshawar in the Northwest Frontier Province where especially vulnerable children can receive a daily nutritious meal, a bath, medical care, psychosocial counselling and an informal education. The centres will assist up to 1,000 children over a six-month period and will accommodate more children as further funding is received.

In addition, World Vision will establish and build the capacity of referral services to secure safe accommodation for extremely destitute children and where possible, support families so that children can return home and go to school.

In the longer term, rehabilitation and skills training centres will be established in Rawalpindi and Peshawar. Older children will acquire marketable skills through training and apprenticeships to enable them to earn a decent living wage to support themselves and their families, instead of engaging in menial work or criminal activity.

"Runaway children abandon their childhood on the streets," adds Hanson. "World Vision Pakistan and its partners want to see childhood restored."

According to a United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) survey, 72% of working children do not have contact with their families and 10% have no knowledge of their families.






Kenneth Chan
Ecumenical Press