Other agencies have their own methods, but the World Vision is helping children ‘come to terms with loss’ after Nepal Quake

World Vision, an international relief organization, has set up Child Friendly Spaces across the valley to help address the emotional needs of children whose lives were devastated by the Nepal Earthquake, among many other responses like distributing relief items to people affected.

Some 800 children are currently benefitting from nine such protected places, where children can play and express themselves, in areas affected by the disaster in Kathmandu, Lalitpur and Bhaktapur districts.Temporary learning centres will also be set up in the same locations.

ArpanahRongong, Child Protection Specialist at World Vision International Nepal, says, “There are immediate emotional needs as well as practical ones for children. Many children lost everything they knew when the earthquake struck. It claimed lives of parents and friends, and reduced homes and schools to rubble. Child Friendly Spaces are protected places for children to start coming to terms with this loss, giving them a bit of calm amid the chaos when caregivers are busy and schools are closed. Young people often start expressing their emotions through artwork and games, which helps them start to make sense of the devastation around them.We plan to set up more such spaces in the coming days in other districts outside the valley which have been severely affected.”

World Vision is continuing to meet the immediate needs of 100,000 people providing tarpaulins, blankets, food items and non-food items as well as protection for children.

According to a press release issued by World Vision ,it is calling on the Government of Nepal and the humanitarian community to ensure affected children are protected from potential violence and abuse and have the ability to access specialized child protection services, including psychosocial support. Interventions such as Child Friendly Spaces must be context appropriate and linked to related interventions with local community protection systems to ensure quality support for children.