More than 500 children separated from parents after flooding in Nepal
In Nepal, after catastrophic flooding on August 26, at least 540 children were separated from their parents and are staying with thousands of other people in camps for those affected. Flooding on the China-Nepal border swept away homes, bridges and other structures, Korea Herald reports, citing AFP.
According to Nepal’s disaster management agency, as of Friday, 1,385 bodies had been found in the country, while another 5,130 people were considered missing. Chinese state media reported 43 deaths and 519 missing people in China.
Temporary centers for children
In the Nuwakot district, the charity Save the Children has set up temporary learning centers for children from affected areas. Teacher Shanti Sapkota told AFP that after arriving, many children experienced shock and panic and spoke about homes taken by the water and parents swept away by the flood. According to her, they are gradually beginning to emerge from this state.
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Psychologist Ekta Shrestha noted that the children react acutely to strangers and unfamiliar sounds, have trouble sleeping and withdraw into themselves. At the centers, they are offered toys and other activities to temporarily distract them from what they have experienced.
Educational assistance
The Nepalese government said it would guarantee affected children education through the completion of high school. Support may include accommodation and full scholarships. Together with partners, the authorities plan to create a $6.5 million scholarship fund for about 1,000 students affected by the flooding.
Education Minister Sasmit Pokharel said priority would be given to children who lost their guardians, and each child’s needs would be assessed individually.
