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Hundreds of children in Nepal are living in difficult conditions in temporary shelters after losing their parents or being separated from them following the country’s devastating floods.
The floods, which struck Nepal on August 26, reportedly killed more than 1,400 people and left at least 5,000 missing. More than 32,000 children have been displaced, while over 500 are reportedly living in shelters without their parents, who are either dead or still missing.
Many of the children have yet to be officially recognised as orphans because of legal complications. Under Nepalese law, a person generally has to remain missing for 12 years before being legally declared dead.
Although courts can issue special declarations in disaster-related cases, difficulties in obtaining evidence have left some children in a legal limbo.
According to Save the Children and Nepal’s National Child Rights Council, more than 1,000 children have taken refuge in temporary shelters following the floods, with many arriving alone or without relatives.
UNICEF and other aid organisations are working to trace separated children and reunite them with their families.
So far, 18 children have reportedly been reunited with their parents.
However, aid workers say psychological support remains inadequate at many shelters.
Many children are struggling to return to normal activities, including education and play, after experiencing severe trauma.
The floods also severely disrupted education. Eighteen schools were completely destroyed and another 20 were partially damaged, leaving the education of around 10,000 children uncertain.
Authorities and aid organisations are also exercising caution when reuniting children with relatives, requiring proper identification and proof of guardianship to reduce the risk of trafficking and exploitation.