|
Total population |
|
23 Million |
|
|
|
GNP per capita/year |
|
220 US$ (compared to USA: 33'900 US$) |
|
|
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Total adult literacy rate |
|
28% (23 % females; 58 % males) |
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|
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Infant mortality rate
(per 1000 live births) |
|
75 |
Tuberculosis: more than half of the 23 million people are infected with tuberculosis.
90'000 suffer from acute tuberculosis.
44'000 new infections every year.
Leprosy: India, Myanmar and Nepal account for 70% of all Leprosy cases. At the beginning of the year 2000 13'572 cases were registered in Nepal.
HIV/AIDS: At the end of 2001 38'000 cases of HIV infections were estimated in Nepal. More than 2'500 children have lost one or both parents due to AIDS.
The kingdom of Nepal is among the twelve poorest countries in the world. Imported goods exceed 3.5 times the exported goods.
Due to decreasing employment and educational possibilities in the mountainous regions there is increased migration towards the valley of Kathmandu.
In Boudhanath, an area close to Kathmandu, many destitute people gather to beg from tourists visiting the Holy Stupa. ROKPA INTERNATIONAL has given short and long term aid in this area through the following projects.
A large number of people in Nepal cannot afford health care or education for their children. Diseases such as TB and leprosy are common, a situation made worse by poverty, malnutrition and lack of hygiene.
Women are often married very young without being educated, and have large families at an early age. Often deserted by their husbands, they are unable to support themselves and their children. As a result there are a large number of abandoned or orphaned children sleeping rough and begging in the streets.
During the three winter months, December to beginning of March, the poorest people in Nepal suffer the most. At night temperatures can drop to freezing. Many of the poor have no roofs over their heads and have no protection against the cold. Combined with malnutrition, contagious diseases, insufficient clothing and the severe air pollution the consequence is sickness and often death.
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