Many children live in poverty. In Calcutta, poor families live in extremely overcrowded slums, their houses consisting of wood, cardboard, and metal. Often in rural areas the homes are made of mud. There is no running water, sewers, or electricity. Children who live in these conditions are vulnerable to a variety of health- related problems including respiratory tract infections, parasitic infections and anemia.
Malnutrition is a major concern.
The mortality rate for children under 5 years of age is 111 children in every 1000. Many children do not go to school because they need to work to help support their families. India is estimated to have 20 million street children. These children are most often found in the larger cities. If these children are left on the streets, they become prey for child labor, prostitution, and professional owners who claim them and force them into begging.