By Anjali Sharma
UNITED NATIONS – UNICEF said on Tuesday that over 17,000 children require urgent mental health and psychosocial support in Nepal after devastating floods.
Local authorities reported 1,300 killed and more than 5,000 still missing on the Nepal side of the border, and at least 43 people killed and 519 still missing on the Tibetan side, according to official Chinese Government figures.
UNICEF said that many children affected by the floods witnessed the loss of loved ones and the destruction of their schools while some remain displaced from their communities.
Some 541 children remain separated from their families and require protection, UNICEF reported.
Alice Akunga, UNICEF Representative in Nepal said “Beyond the visible destruction, these floods have left deep emotional scars on children and families.
“Alongside humanitarian supplies and restoration of critical infrastructure, children need mental health and psychosocial support to help them process what happened, regain a sense of security and begin to recover.”
The flooding began at 8:37am local time – at the beginning of the school day for many children.
According to Ms. Akunga, those who witnessed distressing events are now struggling with fear, anxiety and grief, with some unable to speak about what they experienced.
Shitanshu Dhakal, a medical doctor at a hospital in Nuwakot and a mental health advocate, described the “invisible burden” of trauma on flood-affected children and the fear many still feel long after the floods.
“Children must be at the centre of the mental health response, with immediate psychological first aid and sustained support to prevent long-term consequences,” Dr. Dhakal said.
UNICEF also highlighted the importance of acting quickly. Evidence shows that early mental health intervention is critical because it can stop acute stress from becoming a lifelong chronic disorder.
UN agency is working with the Nepal Government and other partners to support children through family tracing, reunification and mental health services.
It noted that 18 children have been reunified with their families, and 13 UNICEF-supported Child-Friendly Spaces have been established.
UNICEF is helping to arrange alternative family-based care for youngsters who have lost both parents, and monitoring teams are working to identify those at-risk and prevent exploitation.
Education Cannot Wait the UN’s global fund for education in emergencies announced a $1 million allocation to support 17,000 children across Rasuwa, Nuwakot and Dhading.
Some 5,000 will receive education and protection support, while 12,000 will benefit from risk reduction interventions.
ECW said Nepal’s education system will require more funding from governments, foundations and the private sector to fully rebuild from the floods with nine schools severely damaged or destroyed.
ECW Director of Education Maysa Jalbout said “With climate-related emergencies disrupting children’s education with increasing frequency, we must ensure that a temporary crisis does not turn into permanent learning loss.”
