1 Children in Nepal Post-Earthquake Two months past the earthquake that struck in 25th april and 12th may, Nepal is a facing challenging situation. Nepal Disaster Risk Reduction Portal reports the official deathtoll as 8,897, with 22309 injured ranking Kathmandu district at the top. With 602257 distroyed houses and 285099 damaged houses people are managing to remain in the makeshift shelters. It is estimated that 8 million people are effected by the earthquake where 2.8 million still require vital humanitarion assistance 1 . The situation of children is more vulnerable after earthquake. the death toll of children is 31 percent of the total death population. UNICEF estimated that 70,000 children under five were under the risk of malnutrition, fearing that whatever gains had been reached in Nepal fighting child malnutrition in the past would now be lost 1 . On top of that water borne infections, such as diarrhea, are on the rise, with 74% of water samples in affected districs unfit for drinking, with especially children at risk. District Education Ofice reports 7809 damaged schools with 20,010 completely destroyed classrooms and 25290 damaged classrooms. This has affected the education of nearly 1 million students. However, Temporary Learning Centers (TLC) are established to compensate the teaching learning activities of schools. The concept of TLCs are effective in responding the emergency period, the construction of TLCs have also motivated children to join schools. 1 Nepal Earthquake: Humanitarian Snapshot (as of 7 July 2015) report Children in Nepal Post- Earthquake
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1Children in Nepal Post-Earthquake
Two months past the earthquake that struck in 25th april and 12th may, Nepal is a facing challenging situation. Nepal Disaster Risk Reduction Portal reports the official deathtoll as 8,897, with 22309 injured ranking Kathmandu district at the top. With 602257 distroyed houses and 285099 damaged houses people are managing to remain in the makeshift shelters. It is estimated that 8 million people are effected by the earthquake where 2.8 million still require vital humanitarion assistance1.
The situation of children is more vulnerable after earthquake. the death toll of children is 31 percent of the total death population. UNICEF estimated that 70,000 children under five were under the risk of malnutrition, fearing that whatever gains had been reached in Nepal fighting child malnutrition in the past would now be lost1. On top of that water borne infections, such as diarrhea, are on the rise, with 74% of water samples in affected districs unfit for drinking, with especially children at risk.
District Education Ofice reports 7809 damaged schools with 20,010 completely destroyed classrooms and 25290 damaged classrooms. This has affected the education of nearly 1 million students. However, Temporary Learning Centers (TLC) are established to compensate the teaching learning activities of schools. The concept of TLCs are effective in responding the emergency period, the construction of TLCs have also motivated children to join schools.
1 Nepal Earthquake: Humanitarian Snapshot (as of 7 July 2015) report
Children in Nepal Post-
Earthquake
2 Children in Nepal Post-Earthquake
In response to the post earthquake scenario, CWISH also supported children in 5 quake affected districts; Kathmandu, Lalitpur, Bhaktapur, Dhading and Kavre to provide access to protective and safe environment for children which will allow for efficient learning and trauma healing after the earthquake.
CWISH Humanitarian Response to Children in Post-earthquake
3Children in Nepal Post-Earthquake
In two months, CWISH established 30 CFS in 5 districts which was attended by 18000 children with an av-erage of 70 children in each centers daily. 2327 children reached through 5 listening centers in Kavre. 110 TLCs established in 5 districts. 2303 teachers oriented about PFA, 203 children received trauma counseling services. 56 children rescued and reintegrated back to their families in dhading. Supported 150 lactating mothers and their neonates with warm clothes, napkins, towels and dairy essentials. 5000 PSAs spots aired daily in 7 FM stations.
4 Children in Nepal Post-Earthquake
Case study
Dilasha Shrestha, 9 yrs girl child living within the temporary shelter along with her parents and two siblings in around Yellow gumba, Sowyambhu. She is internally displaced from Sindhupalchowk after the Mega earthquake of April 25, 2015. Dilasha is a regular attendant at Child Friendly Space (CFS) established by CWISH supported by Unicef.
Like usual Saturdays, Dilasha was utilizing the leisure time doing her homework after lunch. But suddenly, the mega earthquake struck her house she could hear her father and mother screaming for her. Dilasha wanted to carry her books with her and get out of the house. The earthquake destructed her father’s house completely. Later, when she regain consciousness she found that she was buried under the rubble and her parents had rescued her. She was wounded by the rubble of the house. As the tremor was still continuing, it became hard to live which forced Dilasha’s parents to move to Kathmandu with other families.
CWISH had been monitoring the status of internally displaced families and children in the outskirts of the valley. After the identification of this area, CFS was proposed and established with the support of Unicef. After attending the CFS Dilasha found it very enlivening where children are enjoying free without any fear. She also sang, danced and played with other children. The facilitators were friendly and entertaining, the environment of CFS gave a warm and cozy feeling.
Now, Dilasha is happy and strong. She still wants to resume her studies. She enjoys coming to CFS and plays happily with other children. She was very confident and had no signs of stress while sharing this story.
”I was scared during the earthquake, but now I feel very comfortable and soothing after coming in the CFS.”
CWISH established 30 CFS in 5 districts; Kathmandu-9, Bhaktapur-6, Lalitpur-7, Kavre-8 and Dhading. Around 18,000 children have been reached through these centers where an average of 70 children attend the centers daily. In the first phase of emergency respsonse, 22 CFS were functional which are closed by now but 3 more CFS are established in the valley. The CFS were established after need assessment in the areas where temporary shelters of internally displaced people (IDPs) were identified in the valley. In Kavre, 13 CFS are still operating from the initial emergency response period.
Child Friendly Spaces has been a effective approach to provide emergency support to the children who are disturbed mentally and physically.
Child Friendly Spaces (CFS) as humanitarian responses
5Children in Nepal Post-Earthquake
The CFS are equipped with recreational materials and ECD kits. All the CFSs are established in coordination with protection cluster.
CWISH established 5 learning centers in Kavre districts in coordination with Save the Children International. Listening post are similar to child friendly space which in addition also imparts knowledge about protection skills during disaster and status of children are collected. in those 5 learning ceners 2327 children have already attended the centeres and benefitted.
Listening post
6 Children in Nepal Post-Earthquake
CWISH has established 110 TLCs in 5 districts viz. Lalitpur-32, Bhaktapur-13, Kavre-17, Dhading-30 and Ramechhap-18. TLCs are established in coordination with District Education Offices and supported by Unicef, TDH Germany, Restless Development and Everychild UK. Till today, 38 TLCs have been completed and handed over to the schools.
Temporary Learning Center (TLC) at Subarneshwor Lower Secondary School, Katunje, Bhaktapur is finally completed and handed over to school today. TLC is constructed in support of District Education Office, Bhaktapur.
Temporary Learning Centers
7Children in Nepal Post-Earthquake
Psychosocial counseling training to teachersIn order to create a safer environment in schools, CWISH initiated psychosocial counseling orientations to teachers at schools who can also reach to students directly. The oreintaion program was expected to aware and educate teachers regarding trauma management as well as activities to distract the children from fear and stress. This will further help children to cope with fear and normalize schooling.
CWISH oriented 2001 teachers through resource centers, schools and communities. The orientation programs were conducted in coordination with resource centers and in demand of communities and schools. The orientation sessions were shared as very contextual and useful in the post-earthquake scenarios.
Psychosocial counseling to the traumatized childrenThe earthquake has caused psychological effect among people. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is seen among children. CWISH has been providing psychosocial counseling to the traumatized children from established CFS. Counselors and trained teachers who have received psychosocial counseling training observe, identify and provide counseling to vulnerable and affected children. The severe cases are referred for necessary interventions. A total of 150 such children have been benefited.
8 Children in Nepal Post-Earthquake
In post-earthquake situation, children are vulnerable to abuse, exploitation and violence. Children are in risk of separation from families. In initiation of CWISH collaborating with District Police and District Child Welfare Board information desk including police check post has been established in Dhading (Malekhu and Gajuri). Similarly, CWISH together with District Child Welfare Board, District Police and Save the Children is setting-up Information Desk in 8 different places of Kavre. Similarly, Check Post has been setup in Sindhupalchowk (Bandeu, Melamchi and Bhotechaur) by protection cluster partners.
46 children claimed as orphan were unnecessarily separated from families from Ree VDC and Jharlang VDC, Dhading were brought towards Kathmandu. Considering the case of child trafficking, Central Child Welfare Board (CCWB), these children are sent back to Dhading. They are staying in Transit Center in Dhadingbesi managed by District Child Welfare Board, CWISH and other protection cluster partners. Out of 46, only 3 had lost their parents. Please follow this link about news coverage; http://epaper.ekantipur.com/kantipur/showtext_ajax.id=154414781&parentid=48109&issuedate=1752015
Information desk / Check Post
2 children were on their way towards Mahendranagar. They were telling that someone was waiting in Mahendranagar (Far western region of Nepal) but were not sure. The Check Post managed by District Police and CWISH in Highway identified it suspicious and hence rescued these children. These children are staying in Transit Home in Dhadingbesi, Dhading. CWISH is tracing the family and planning for reintegration.
9Children in Nepal Post-Earthquake
Transit CenterCWISH initiated to establish the ‘Transit Center' in Dhadingbesi, Dhading to provide immediate and alternative care to the children. CWISH is tracing families and reintegrating children living in Transit Center.
Support to pregnant women, lactating mothers and infants: CWISH together with District Child Welfare Board (DCWB) of Kathmandu and Lalitpur supported 150 lactating mothers and their neo-nates with warm clothes, napkins, towels, and dairy essentials.
Radio Message / Public Social Announcements (PSAs)CWISH aired PSAs related to earthquake awareness, post-earthquake and child protec-tion issues in Nepal FM, Radio Sagarmatha and local stations of 7 districts. Nepal FM (91.8 MHz), in Kathmandu valley plays the PSA 20 – 30 times per day. The same PSA is also aired through Prime FM 104.5 MHz in Kavre, Radio Melamchi 107.2 MHz in Sindhupalchowk and Radio Dhading 106 MHz in Dhading district. The PSA has been aired about 20-30 times in the stations. The situation of children in post-earthquake is aired every Wednesday in program titled 'Ajaka kura' at 8 PM from Radio Sagarmath
(Endnotes)1 Un.org (25.6.2015). Two months on 2.8 million Nepalese still require vital humanitarian assistance.
Transit Center, Dhading
Child Friendly Spaces
S. No Name of the place VDC/ Municipality Address No. of children Organizers