Nepal flood children face lasting trauma and risk one month on, charity warns

One month after a catastrophic flood tore through northern Nepal and its border with Tibet, the disaster is still shaping daily life for thousands of families. The flood followed the collapse of part of a Himalayan glacier, which sent a wall of water, rock and debris through communities below. More than 1,300 people are known to have died, with thousands still missing on both sides of the border. Homes, roads and schools were destroyed, and many families remain displaced.

The charity Save the Children says the crisis is far from over. Its Nepal programme director, Ayush Joshi, returned from Nuwakot, one of the areas hit hardest by the floods on 26 August. He said the situation one month on was very dire and that for children, girls, women and the most marginalised, the crisis had in many ways only just begun.

At a child friendly space outside a government managed holding centre, Joshi spoke to a girl playing with a dollhouse who said she had lost her mother. He described the scene as a reminder of the pain and trauma children are carrying, much of which is invisible. Counsellors have noticed that when children are asked to draw or paint, many draw houses on top of hills, away from riverbanks. Save the Children sees this as children trying to recreate a world where they feel safe, where their homes still stand and their families are protected. Mental health support is therefore an integral part of its response and rehabilitation plan.

The charity is especially concerned about girls and women. Many children and families are leaving holding centres and temporary shelters because they cannot afford a room. Families with fewer resources may end up living in tents again. For children and girls in temporary shelters and rented rooms, there are heightened concerns about safety, violence and abuse. Some girls told Save the Children they now have to care for younger siblings and may drop out of school. Others said there was an increased risk of early marriage. The charity says girls must stay in school and be protected from violence, abuse, child trafficking and child marriage.

Recovery is not a quick fix, Joshi said. Save the Children is focusing on relocation and rehabilitation, which is also a key priority for the government of Nepal. With winter coming, there is an urgent need for safe homes and safe spaces. One month on, people who have lost so much are restless and want somewhere to call home. Children are asking for stability and security. Shelter, safety and security remain key concerns, and winter will add another layer of difficulty. People in the flood affected areas said they need a safe home and a permanent roof over their heads. The crisis is not over, and children should not be forgotten.