UNICEF says thousands of children need mental health support following floods in Nepal

Triggered by the collapse of the glacier, the August 26 floods affected more than 84,000 Nepalis – including around 32,000 children – and damaged vital roads, schools, electricity networks and water systems across the Rasuwa, Nuwakot and Dhading regions of northern Nepal.

Local authority report more than 1,300 people died and more than 5,000 people remain missing on the Nepal side of the border, and at least 43 people died and 519 remain missing on the Tibetan side, according to official Chinese government figures.

Many children affected by the floods witnessed the loss of their loved ones and the destruction of their schools, while some remain displaced from their communities.

A number of 541 children are still separated from their families and need protection, UNICEF reported.

“Beyond the visible damage, these floods have also left deep emotional scars on children and families,” said Alice Akunga, UNICEF Representative in Nepal. “In addition to humanitarian assistance and the restoration of critical infrastructure, children also need mental health and psychosocial support to help them process what happened, regain a sense of security, and begin to heal.”

Why mental health support?

The flooding began at 08:37 local time – at the start of the school day for many children.

According to Mrs Akunga, those who witnessed the sad events are now struggling with fear, anxiety and sadness, some are even unable to express what they experienced.

Shitanshu Dhakal, a doctor at a hospital in Nuwakot and a mental health advocate, described the “invisible burden” of trauma experienced by flood-affected children and the fear that many still feel long after the flood.

“Children must be at the center of the mental health responsewith immediate psychological first aid and ongoing support to prevent long-term consequences,” said Dr. Dhakal.

UNICEF also highlighted the importance of acting quickly. The evidence shows that Early mental health intervention is essential because it can stop acute stress from becoming a chronic, lifelong disorder.

Support in the field

In Nepal, UNICEF is working with the Government of Nepal and other partners to support children through family tracing, reunification and mental health services.

Eighteen children have been reunited with their families, and 13 UNICEF-supported Child Friendly Spaces have been established.

UNICEF helps organize alternative family-based care for children who have lost both parents, and monitoring teams work to identify those at risk and prevent exploitation.

Meanwhile, Education Cannot Wait (ECW) – the UN global fund for education in emergencies – announced on Tuesday allocation of $1 million to support 17,000 children in Rasuwa, Nuwakot and Dhading.

Of these, 5,000 people will receive education and protection support, while 12,000 people will benefit from risk reduction interventions.

However, with nine schools badly damaged or destroyed, ECW said Nepal’s education system will need more funding from the government, foundations and the private sector to fully rebuild after the floods.

“With the increasing frequency of climate-related emergencies disrupting children’s education, we must ensure that temporary crises do not turn into permanent learning losses”said ECW Education Director Maysa Jalbout.