Kathmandu, January 10:

British Ambassador to Nepal, Keith Bloomfield, said today that successive governments of Nepal failed to address the problems of the children affected by the conflict.

Speaking at a function organised to inaugurate winter camp for street children, Bloomfield lauded the effort of the organisers. “The season must be very difficult for them to pass,” he said.

“Street children have to fight every day, every step for survival. They have to fight not only against authorities but also against sense of exclusion from the society,” Bloomfield said, adding: “Social exclusion is prevalent in Nepal not only among street children but also among different castes, ethnic communities, sex and economic class.”

The worst form of discrimination can be seen in street children, who are forced to wander around urban streets due to various causes. Ongoing insurgency in the country is causing children to pass their lives on the streets.

Minty Pandey, country director of Plan-Nepal, who jointly inaugurated the camp with Bloomfield organised by CWIN and Children Protection Centres and Services, said that it was a praiseworthy effort to provide shelter to all the children during winter.

Gauri Pradhan, chairman of CWIN, said two-month-long camp will socialise and entertain them.

According to the CPCS, warm clothes would be given to 500 children, night shelter for 200 children and free treatment for 100 children everyday.

The children will be provided with different kinds of entertainment activities in the camp. “Finally we will refer at least 200 children to various social organisations,” the CWIN said.