After two weeks of riots, curfews and travel restrictions, many Nepalis living in the southern Terai region – home to the Madhesi – are desperate for humanitarian assistance. Accounting for one-third of the population, the Madhesi say they are under-represented in the government and political transition process under way in the country.

“I live in a small village called Kanchanpur in Saptari district [300km east of the capital, Kathmandu], where most of the families live in extreme poverty. There are thousands of families like mine who survive on a meagre meal. Most of our children cannot afford to enrol in schools and we depend on low-wage jobs and small farms to make a living. For generations, our Madhesi community has been neglected by the Nepalese government, which has failed to do much to reduce the poverty level, generate employment and help to uplift the conditions especially of women, who have suffered most from lack of education, exploitation and social discrimination.

"There are so many low-caste communities within the Madhesi ethnic group living in hunger as most of them can’t afford to buy food for the night. Children don’t have enough clothes to wear, so they die of cold as well as a lack of food. Many also suffer from malnutrition and die of ordinary diseases. A large number live in remote areas where the development programmes of both the government and NGOs fail to reach them.

"It won’t take long for us to run out of food and medicine. The transport [system] has come to a standstill and hospitals are also running out of medical supplies and most importantly, oxygen cylinders. Many who need surgery are at high risk. Women are not able to visit the clinics for their check-up after deliveries.

"Our concern is especially for the children who may die if we run out of food soon. They also need regular medical check-ups and we hope the government pays attention to this situation.

"Our community leaders have tried hard to get the attention of the government but it only makes promises and fails to implement any of its commitments. This is happening because the government has been under-represented by members of the Madhesi community.

"The government has to take measures soon to have formal talks with our Madhesi leaders because the situation is already out of control. We are going through a lot of hardship like many families in the south of Nepal where many cities, towns and villages have been severely affected. All the shops, businesses, schools and even medical services have remained closed for the last 15 days.

"It is our right to live decently and be treated as equal citizens."