Mongolia’s Street Children

Being homeless in Mongolia is harsh. Ulaanbaatar is the coldest capital city in the world. Winters are long and temperatures fall to -40°C (-40°F).

To survive these freezing conditions, homeless children seek shelter in manholes under the streets. They huddle against hot water pipes to keep warm, but often get burned by leaking steam. It’s hard to find food and there’s no medical care. They often form gangs to protect their turf and obtain food more easily.

People have noticed their plight. The Mongolian government declared 2004 as the “Year of Family Development and Support” to help reunite homeless children with their families. The international community is also helping these children and families get back on their feet.