Seven hundred and forty-nine helpless people living in the streets have been rescued so far as part of the campaign of rescuing and rehabilitating such needy people.

Among the rescued, 588 have been reunited with their families while seven have died, said Ramji Adhikari, the president of Manav Sewa Ashram. The Kathmandu Metropolitan City in association with the Ashram, a humanitarian organisation, has initiated the campaign of rescuing and rehabilitating the helpless people living in the streets since December 15, 2019.

Adhikari said of the rescued people, 696 were rescued from within the Kathmandu metropolis while 53 were rescued from other cities. Among the rescued, 73 have stated that their permanent address is in Kathmandu Metropolitan City.

According to him, 45 of the rescued people have been admitted to hospital for treatment, 70 are awaiting health screening, 51 have been shifted to the ashram (rehabilitation home) and seven have died.

KMC mayor Bidya Sundar Shakya said KMC would chalk out the future plan of the campaign in consultation with the Ministry of Women, Children and Senior Citizens and various human rights and humanitarian organisations working in this sector. Mayor Shakya is also the coordinator of the main committee formed for the rescue and rehabilitation of helpless people living in the streets by begging.

He added that KMC was ready to provide funds for managing food, clothes and shelter for the rescued helpless people. At the same time, he also urged all the concerned who have house and are in a position to manage food not to go in the streets and beg for livelihood creating problem and marring the dignity of the city.

The rescued people are taken to the screening centre where they are kept for at least five days to 70 days maximum considering their condition.

Among the rescued, the highest number comprises people of the 16-40 years age group including both male and female. Most of them are alcoholics and drug users.