Asia

Diverse, dynamic, and rapidly growing.
But also plagued by inequality

Asia is renowned for its diversity and economic growth, but also notorious for its social inequality. In India, for example, the economy is growing by five percent annually. Yet, 44 percent of the population has to eke out an existence on less than a dollar a day – not to mention the severe poverty of people in countries that still have weak economies, like Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Poverty has a devastating impact. In Afghanistan, for instance, twelve percent of all children die before their first birthday. In India, 44 percent of children under the age of five are underweight, compared to 41 percent in Bangladesh. To make matters worse, many countries have a large number of street children. Girls and boys from disadvantaged minority groups are the hardest hit.

Violence, sexual inequality and disaster risks

A good education is one of the most important means of improving one's standing in life, but it is in short supply in many countries, particularly for girls. In Afghanistan only 40 percent of girls and 60 percent of boys attend primary school, and in India one-quarter of young women between the ages of 15 and 25 cannot read and write (young men: twelve percent). Meanwhile, child labour is rampant. In Bangladesh, for instance, 13 percent of all children toil to ensure their families’ survival.

The exploitation and abuse of children goes even much further in many Asian countries. In Afghanistan 75 percent receive corporal punishment from parents and teachers. In Bangladesh, 30 percent of girls under the age of 15 are forcibly married. There are only rough estimates on the huge extent of sexual violence and child trafficking.

Another pressing problem in Asia: many countries and regions are frequently affected by natural disasters such as Pakistan (earthquake 2005, flooding 2010), the Philippines (typhoon 2013) Sri Lanka, India, Indonesia, and Thailand (tsunami 2004).

• Our work in Asia and Eastern Europe

  As in Africa and Latin America, we work hand-in-hand with local partners to combat the most severe child rights violations and their causes. We tackle complex problems with comprehensive community development projects and with self-help programmes. We empower children and their families socially, economically and politically to allow them to leverage their own huge potential. The success of our work has proven that all people, even the poorest and supposedly weakest members of society, have great potential. All programmes are tailored to local conditions.

  In particularly acute and severe cases of child rights violations, such as sexual abuse, our partner organisations also give the victims temporary refuge in shelters and provide them with psychosocial and legal support.

  Special areas of focus of our work in Asia include supporting minority groups and disaster risk reduction. In countries that are particularly threatened by natural disasters, we teach people how to take precautions and protect themselves in case of emergency.

• Bangladesh

  

  In Bangladesh, we help children to build a future without poverty. You can find out more about the situation in the country here.

  More about the country Project Example: Help for street children

• India

  

  Life is particularly difficult for girls in India. Our work focuses on poor rural regions and big city slums.

  More about the country

  The need for food is more urgent than the fear of Corona

  Six months that make a difference

  Project Example: Combating child labour

• Indonesia

  

  Children in Indonesia often have to work and cannot attend school. We help girls and boys get off to a good start in life.

  More about the country Project Example: Help for street children

  Indonesia: Childhood between garbage and hope

  Indonesia: Break the silence

• Nepal

  

  Nepal: "Since we became a group, a new world has opened up for us"

• Pakistan

  

  Pakistan suffers from a severe lack of quality education. We help girls and boys get off to a good start in life.

  More about the country Project Example: Help for street children

• Philippines

  

  Children in the Philippines are often victims of violence and abuse. We help girls and boys get off to a good start in life.

  More about the country Project Example: Help for street children

• Sri Lanka

  

  After decades of civil war, Sri Lanka’s economy is now booming. Nevertheless, children's rights are still given short shrift. We help girls and boys get off to a good start in life.

  More about the country Project Example: Education for tea pickers' children

• Syria/Lebanon

  

  Millions of Syrians had to flee their war-torn country and it is uncertain when they can return. Their journey to Lebanon was long and hard. More than half of the refugees are children. They suffer especially from the nightmare of the civil war, the hardships and the escape to a foreign country.

  Project Example: Help for Syrian refugee children

• Thailand

  

  Child trafficking and HIV are major problems in Thailand. We tackle these issues and help girls and boys get off to a good start in life.

  More about the country

• Greece

  In October, the camp of our partner "Lesvos Solidarity" was forcibly evicted by Greek police officers. The children and families had found a temporary home there. Frightened, they were now housed in another emergency shelter, but it will also be closed in December.

  Lesbos: Safety and dignity for refugees

• Kosovo

  

  The economic situation in Kosovo remains grim after the end of the war. There is a severe lack of vocational training opportunities. We help girls and boys get off to a good start in life.

  More about the country