A Double Blow
Hundreds of thousands of children are living on the streets in Bangladesh, and the number is expected to continue growing.
For many of them, the COVID-19 pandemic is proving particularly tough. Not only do these children often lack access to soap and clean water to help protect against coronavirus, but even basic guidance like “stay home” means little if you don’t have a home to go to.
Working with partners, and in coordination with Bangladesh’s Department of Social Services, UNICEF reaches out to children living on the street to offer them psychosocial support and non-formal education, while its Child Protection Support Centres provide access to basic social services, protection from harm, and reintegration services. UNICEF also supports temporary shelters that provide children with food and water, health care and a safe space in which to play and relax away from the pressures of life on the streets.