Staff Reporter :: When families and labourers are getting relief from government and other sources, the deprivation of the street children resulting from lock down and corona virus related impact has not been given proper attention Action for Social Development (ASD), a non-governmental organisation working with street children, has demanded the extension of relief and protection of street children to mitigate their sufferings.
Executive Director, ASD, Jamil H. Chowdhury in statement expressed concern that street children are more vulnerable than the general public during the coronavirus outbreak. There is more risk of their getting infected and spreading the virus among their peers and general public in the light of the fact that the number of infected cases is on the rise in the country and especially in the numerous hot spots of Dhaka city where street children are largely concentrated.
It is important to keep these street children in a safe place to prevent coronavirus and those concerned should come forward to protect the health of street children, he added. Visible and effective action should be taken to protect the street children immediately and ASD called upon the government to implement a long-term plan in coordination with NGOs in this regard.
ASD has been implementing a project since 2012 named Development of Children at High Risk (DCHR) with the objectives of ensuring the development and protection of vulnerable street children, working children and slum children and promoting child rights in the country. Through this project ASD runs shelter homes, Learning and Recreation Centres and pre-schools in different slums of Dhaka city.
