A group of youths in Birgunj Metropolis is distributing warm clothes to impoverished and helpless people living out in the streets this winter.

With mercury dipping and cold wave sweeping across the Tarai region, there are many people who are at risk of dying due to hypothermia. To help such people cope with the freezing weather, the group, led by youth entrepreneur Mukesh Khetan, has been touring the city at night, looking for anyone they could offer warm clothes and blankets. 

“We distributed warm clothes to four people on Monday night, the first day of our campaign,” said Khetan, who has been organising the campaign for the last five years.

The group plans to run the campaign until January 18. Between 9pm and 1am, the group members spread out around the city, searching for people staying on the streets, bus stations, hospitals and other public places.  

Binod Agrawal, one of the group members, said they find many people who do not have warm clothes and blankets at night.

“We hand out warm clothes and blankets to such people. We ask them about their life and try to help them out of the streets and poverty,” he said.

The clothes and blankets are bought with the money donated by locals. The group also raises fund through various social networking sites. 

Elderly, children affected by cold

DHANUSHA: Elderly persons and children from impoverished communities in Dhanusha have been hit hard by freezing weather, as they do not have warm clothes and blankets to keep themselves warm. Their only recourse against cold is sitting next to bonfires. The warmth and comfort of fire are no more when they sleep inside their huts at night. Chief District Officer Dilip Chapagain said they were holding discussions with the representatives of local units about providing winter relief to the poor and needy communities.