In the aftermath of the earthquake and one-month on, children are particularly at risk as they have become separated from their families and are unlikely to be able to access education when 80% of the schools are damaged reports World Vision, a humanitarian organization working for the well-being of children of Nepal since 2001.

Currently, children are facing various protection threats, including disruption to routine education, post-disaster shocks and psychological stress, as well as exposure to dangerous and unsafe environments since ruins and undiminished buildings have become a play ground for children. World Vision calls on the national and international community to urgently assist at least 950,000 children that are in urgent need of humanitarian assistance, and those left homeless by the earthquake are particularly vulnerable.

Liz Satow, National Director of World Vision International Nepal says, “The Government of Nepal and the humanitarian community must 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.” 

World Vision has already set up 15 Child Friendly Spaces across the valley and in Sindhuli district to provide a safe space to help distressed children besides distribution of tarpaulins, blankets, household kits and mosquito nets to more than 30,000 affected people.

More than 1000 children are currently benefitting from such protected places, where children can play and express themselves and trained volunteers participate as facilitators. Temporary learning centers will also be set up in the same locations. “The objective of this intervention is to help protect children and contribute to the learning continuity, psychosocial well-being, and increased resilience of children affected by displacement.” shares Liz.

 As a part of the relief response World Vision is currently working in seven affected districts of Gorkha, Lamjung, Kathmandu, Bhaktapur, Lalitpur, Sindhupalchowk and Sindhuli. The organization plans to target an initial 100,000 people with immediate relief in the areas of shelter, food, non-food items, water and sanitation hygiene, health and protection as a first phase of response and will expand its operations for the next six months to a year with a rehabilitation plan to help the affected population in Nepal.