Kathmandu, 18 September (H.S.): The crisis facing children in Nepal has deepened in the aftermath of the devastating floods. According to a rapid assessment report by the National Child Rights Council, both parents of 102 children remain missing following the floods. The children include 49 girls and 53 boys.

According to the report, at least 17,000 children in the districts of Rasuwa, Nuwakot and Dhading alone are in need of protection. The floods have severely disrupted the education of a large number of children. The risks faced by children who have been separated from their families and deprived of parental care have also increased.

The assessment found that 439 children have been separated from their parents, including 222 girls and 217 boys. Meanwhile, 692 affected children are staying with their parents or other caregivers. This group comprises 361 girls and 331 boys. Among the affected children are 21 children with disabilities.

Of the 32 schools affected by the floods, 19 have been completely destroyed. Approximately 9,400 students were enrolled in these schools, of whom 3,928 have been affected. According to the report, 488 students remain missing, while five students have died.

The National Child Rights Council has described the situation not merely as an issue requiring immediate relief, but as a multifaceted humanitarian crisis involving children’s rights and protection, education, health, nutrition, family care, social security and long-term development. The report has called for the immediate prioritisation of identifying affected children, tracing and reunifying families, providing safe temporary shelter, ensuring continuity of education, and delivering health, nutritional and psychosocial support.

A team from the Council conducted an assessment between September 1 and 5 in flood-affected areas, temporary shelters and holding centres in Rasuwa, Nuwakot, Dhading, Gorkha, Tanahun and Chitwan. As of September 5, a total of 1,233 children were present at holding centres in flood-affected districts, including 632 girls and 601 boys.

Arrangements for the affected children are being facilitated at the local level through child rights committees. In cases where parents are missing, efforts will first be made to place the children with other family members or relatives. If this is not possible, family-based care or placement in a child care home will be arranged in accordance with the applicable legal procedures.

A temporary protection centre has also been established in Godawari, Lalitpur, for children affected by the floods. The centre has the capacity to accommodate around 50 children and is providing treatment, psychosocial counselling and educational support.

Meanwhile, classes have resumed at Geetamata Secondary School in Dallu, Kathmandu, for 70 children affected by the Bhotekoshi floods. Along with education, the children are being provided with psychosocial counselling, health check-ups and sports facilities.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar