Nepal

Total population   23 Million   GNP per capita/year 220 US$ (compared to USA: 33'900 US$)   Total adult literacy rate 28% (23 % females; 58 % males)   Infant mortality rate (per 1000 live births) 75 Tuberculosis: more than half of the 23 million people are infected with tuberculosis. 90'000 suffer from acute tuberculosis. 44'000 new infections every year. Leprosy: India, Myanmar and Nepal account for 70% of all Leprosy cases. At the beginning of the year 2000 13'572 cases were registered in Nepal. HIV/AIDS: At the end of 2001 38'000 cases of HIV infections were estimated in Nepal. More than 2'500 children have lost one or both parents due to AIDS.

The kingdom of Nepal is among the twelve poorest countries in the world. Imported goods exceed 3.5 times the exported goods. Due to decreasing employment and educational possibilities in the mountainous regions there is increased migration towards the valley of Kathmandu.

In Boudhanath, an area close to Kathmandu, many destitute people gather to beg from tourists visiting the Holy Stupa. ROKPA INTERNATIONAL has given short and long term aid in this area through the following projects.