Nepal's decade-long conflict has hampered the delivery of basic services causing a breakdown of family and community networks. Women and children, who rely most heavily on these essentials, have particularly felt the negative impacts.

Recently, there has been some improvement in the socio-economic indicators for Nepal. Yet, children's situation in Nepal is of serious concern. Infant and maternal mortality rates are among the highest in the world. Children migrate from the poverty-stricken rural areas to the cities, ending up homeless in the streets. There are an estimated 5 000 street children in the cities of Kathmandu, Pokhara, Dharan, Narayanghat, Butwal and Biratnagar alone. In Nepal, an estimate of over 55,000 children work as domestic labourers; almost two thirds are aged 10 to 14 years with a preponderance of boys (57 percent). They work for long hours with little or no pay.

The use of child soldiers in Nepal is another human rights issue. During the armed conflict, somewhere between 6,000 to 9,000 children were believed to have served in the Maoist forces. As many as 3,000 child recruits are still suspected to be serving in military camps. Despite assurances from the government to end future recruitment and promises to rehabilitate children who have suffered from war and conflict situations, reforms to date have been insufficient.

The rehabilitation and reintegration of children formerly associated with armed forces and armed groups (CAAFAG) is an integral component of stabilising Nepal and implementing the peace agreement. The process of reintegration presents opportunities for these children to attain normality in their lives, and establishes systems of protection and support without which they will be at further risk of being re-victimised through re-recruitment, child/early marriages, trafficking, migration, social stigmatisation and gender based violence, amongst many other serious child protection concerns.

Save the Children has supported more than 25,000 children affected by armed conflict since 2006. The guiding goal of this project is to ensure children are living in a safe, supportive, protective and child friendly environment, away from life as a soldier.

Child Protection Programs

Save the Children advocates for the development and implementation of strong child protection policies striving to enable communities to actively create a protective environment

for children. We aim to make children capable of protecting themselves and responding to breaches of their rights through monitoring, reporting and response.

The program focuses on child's right to be protected against: 

• Violence

• Abuse

• Exploitation

• Neglect

A significant component of the child protection interventions are during emergencies including conflict and disaster. Save the Children also reaches out to former Children Associated with Armed Forces and Armed Groups, and Children Affected by Armed Conflict, and helps them to reintegrate into their communities.

Health and Nutrition Programs

Save the children's health program aims to improve the survival of mothers and newborns as well as the health of school children. By maintaining a high standard of health we hope to improve children's academic performance in schools. Strong support is given around national immunisation campaigns.

The Program focuses on:

• Increasing the availability and accessibility of health services, safe drinking water and sanitation

• Behavioural change practices in areas of health and nutrition

• Policy change efforts in areas of health nutrition

In line with Millennium Development Goals, we are supporting the development of community based neonatal care packages intended to save newborn lives, as well as advocating for more resource allocation to newborn and maternal health.

Education Programs

Save the Children's focus is on giving children a strong beginning in their early years and increasing access to primary education opportunities. Our education program supports early childhood development and increases school-age children's access to quality education. This aims to fulfill children's rights to education in a safe, supportive and protective learning environment.

The programs focus on:

• Child friendly school concepts

• Infrastructure improvement

• Educational/sports material support

• Non-violent teaching practices

• School self-assessments involving children and parents 

• Training for individuals and institutions responsible for supporting children's development

• Alternative methods for bringing children back into school

• Community based rehabilitation for children with disabilities 

Youth and Livelihood Programs 

Save the Children works with young people, which make up a significant part of the population to:

• Unify their voices
• Be a part of social development

• Participate in peace building work at local and national levels

We focus on economic opportunities to improve young people's access to financial institution services and provide them with skills so they can participate in self-employment activities. As a part of the pro

gram, young people are also provided with skills and the knowledge to improve their health, safety and protection.

HIV and AIDS Programs 

Save the Children reaches out to children to promote safer behaviour amongst the most at-risk population and strengthens networks of sex workers and gender minorities. We aim to protect children and youth from the impact of HIV and AIDS. The total transmission of HIV has declined, however the majority of children living with HIV/AIDS has limited access to reliable government supply of anti-retroviral drugs, and other care and support.

Save the Children directly supports children by providing:

• Books

• Uniforms

• Income generating opportunities

Save the Children helps communities through social movements to raise awareness and delivering support services.

Our service interventions include:

• Providing supportive environments for children and parents

• Home based community care

• "Drop in Centres" in urban settings

Emergency Programs

Save the Children have disaster management programs at both community and national levels to reduce risk. The priority is to save lives and reduce the suffering of children and families from the multiplemthreats of disasters and emergencies, including violent armed conflict. Save the Children particularly intervenes during natural disasters to put in place protection measures if necessary. Working with partners and government, we focus on risk reduction, preparedness and response during emergencies in relief and recovery operations.