UNICEF Warns of Looming Crisis for Children’s Emotional Health in Nepal

NEW YORK (May 14, 2015) – Children in Nepal are facing an unprecedented emotional toll as they deal with the devastating consequences of two major earthquakes in two and a half weeks, warned UNICEF. 

Thousands of children and their families have poured back into informal settlements across the country after the May 12 quake left many too afraid to return home.

“We cannot underestimate the psychological impact on children of these repeated powerful tremors,” said Rownak Khan, Deputy Representative of UNICEF Nepal.

“I was very close to the epicenter when Tuesday’s quake hit and children were hugging one another and crying for hours as people fled their homes. We know that many children are suffering from nightmares, some are extremely stressed and cannot sleep, while others are constantly clinging to their parents.”

UNICEF is reinforcing its operations in affected areas, including in the districts of Dolakha and Sindhupalchok, worst affected by Tuesday’s quake.  As well as providing clean water, sanitation and vital medical supplies, UNICEF is also prioritizing psychological support for children who are dealing with extreme stress.

“We need to be on high alert to provide emotional first aid for children when and where it is needed,” Khan said.

“It is immediately obvious when a child does not have food, shelter or clean water.  However, the signs of emotional distress—like anxiety—can be hidden from view and can cause serious long-term damage if they are not dealt with.”

To help children cope with their experiences, UNICEF is:

• Supporting specialized counsellors in the worst-hit areas of the country, who will offer assistance to children in need;
• Running dozens of child friendly spaces in informal settlements where children can access psychological support;
• Supporting art therapy classes for children;
• Running a special program on Radio Nepal—Bhandai Sundai—that offers call-in counselling to children in more remote parts of the country. The program was on air within 10 minutes of the May 12 quake hitting;
• Deploying teams to identify and assist any children who could have become separated from their families;
• Helping to open up schools and establish temporary learning centers to help children get back to education and offer them a safe space and a sense of routine.

“It is important that we do all we can to offer children the psychological support they need as well as a safe environment and a stable routine to help them come to terms with their experiences,” said Khan.

“The children of Nepal have already been through so much and we must do everything we can to give them back a sense of childhood.”

UNICEF has launched an appeal for more than $50 million to support its humanitarian response to the earthquake in Nepal over the next three months, as part of a wider inter-agency flash appeal.

How to help: For more information or to make a tax-deductible contribution to UNICEF’s relief efforts, please contact the U.S. Fund for UNICEF:Website: www.unicefusa.org/nepalToll free: 1-800-FOR-KIDSText: Text "Nepal" to 864233 (UNICEF) to make a $10 donationMail: 125 Maiden Lane, 10th Floor, New York, NY 10038As with any emergency, in the event that donations exceed anticipated needs, the U.S. Fund will redirect any excess funds to children in greatest need.Find us on Twitter: @unicefusa; join us on Facebook: UNICEF-USA

Access broadcast quality b-roll and photos: http://uni.cf/1HH6SbO. Interviews are available with UNICEF staff working on the emergency response.

About UNICEFThe United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) works in more than 190 countries and territories to put children first. UNICEF has helped save more children’s lives than any other humanitarian organization, by providing health care and immunizations, clean water and sanitation, nutrition, education, emergency relief and more. The U.S. Fund for UNICEF supports UNICEF's work through fundraising, advocacy and education in the United States. Together, we are working toward the day when no children die from preventable causes and every child has a safe and healthy childhood. For more information, visit www.unicefusa.org.

For further information and interview requests, please contact:Susannah Masur, U.S. Fund for UNICEF, 212-880-9146, smasur@unicefusa.org