Although there is no official figure for the total number of such children, it is generally assumed that the number is approaching 20 lakh, they said.

They also suggested providing vocational training for the street children and setting up a fund for them.

Plan Bangladesh and Population Services and Training Centre (PSTC) in corporation with Media Aid Bangladesh organised the discussion on 'Duties of guardians in helping street children' and an annual cultural and prize giving ceremony at Basabo in the city. Some 1300 street children took part in the programme.

The speakers at the discussion said the street children could contribute to the national development if they get opportunities, but the measures taken for their welfare are totally inadequate.

Dhaka City Corporation (DCC) Executive Officer Nazmul Hai said combined efforts of the government and NGOs are needed to rehabilitate the street children.

In urban areas, many street children work as domestic help, porters and street vendors, and are vulnerable to sexual abuse and commercial sexual exploitation, said Prof Milan Bikash Pal, executive director of PSTC.

Plan Bangladesh Dhaka South Programme Manager FM Shamsul Alam and DCC Ward Commissioner Mosharaf Hossain Manju also spoke.