Making room for childhood after Nepal’s floods

Recovery is often pictured through buildings: a repaired roof, a reopened road, a classroom ready to use. For children, a useful way to think about recovery is also through the shape of a day. Who will be nearby? Where is there room to play? What familiar activity can happen again?

A small space with an important purpose

UNICEF’s 9 September report from Nuwakot describes child-friendly spaces established with partners and local authorities after the floods. Children can take part in games and creative activities, while trained facilitators provide support and watch for signs of distress. The account shows how organized play can help bring routine back into a period of uncertainty. Read UNICEF’s report, “Small moments of joy”.

UNICEF’s account offers a useful starting point for thinking about what recovery should make possible for children.

The questions we should keep asking

For Nivaran, the story raises a practical question about how recovery is described. If we count only buildings or boxes of supplies, what part of a child’s daily experience might we overlook?

We believe recovery plans should make room for questions that families can answer in concrete terms:

• Is there an appropriate, supervised place for children to spend time?
• Can caregivers find clear information about available support?
• Are learning opportunities accessible to children who have moved away from their usual school?
• Is there a way to raise concerns and ask for help?

Our view is that these everyday questions belong in recovery planning from the beginning. They give families a way to discuss what they need and organizations a way to listen before deciding what to provide.

Staying with the longer story

A child’s experience of recovery deserves attention after the emergency leaves the headlines. We want our coverage to follow everyday access to care and learning, as well as the immediate response.

Nivaran’s education program, Project Vidya, is planned for 2027. Our current Nepal flood recovery appeal is raising funds before deployment. We will describe future activities as they are confirmed, with a clear distinction between a proposal and work completed.