Why children in Nepal need your help

The continuing Maoist insurgency continues to impact on the wellbeing of children in Nepal, with this internal conflict hampering basic service delivery and development assistance.

Each year, more than 50,000 children die in Nepal. The majority of these deaths, 60 per cent, can be attributed to malnutrition. Half of all children are underweight and three-quarters of pregnant women are anaemic.

Over two-thirds of Nepalese people do not have access to toilet and sanitation facilities and the ongoing conflict has forced the closure of schools as teachers are threatened and assaulted and children are abducted from school and forced to join Maoist forces or the militia.

Country facts

In 1952, the successional monarchy was replaced with a cabinet Government and in 1990 reforms established a multi-party democracy within a constitutional monarchy. However, a Maoist-rebellion in 1996 threatened democracy, especially when a negotiated cease-fire broke down in 2003. The king, frustrated with government's handling of the Maoist insurgence, dissolved the government in 2005 and assumed power. The King resumed parliament in April 2006 and parliamentary elections are due to take place in November 2007.

The decade-long insurgency has killed more than 12,000 and left over 100,000 displaced. The majority of the population rely on agriculture for their income, however ongoing civil war has all but destroyed the economy. Approximately 40 per cent of Nepalese people live below the poverty line.

• Population: 29.5 million
• Capital: Kathmandu
• Major languages: Nepali
• Major religions: Buddhism, Hinduism
• Life expectancy: 60 years