Flash floods struck Nepal on 26 August after floodwaters entered the Bhote Koshi River from the Tibet side, sweeping through Rasuwa, Nuwakot and Dhading, three mountainous districts north and northwest of the capital, Kathmandu.
More than 11,800 people were rescued. The disaster has affected an estimated 1.6 million people, including around 17,000 children in Rasuwa, Nuwakot and Dhading.
Families have been displaced from their homes, with some schools now being used as temporary shelters. Damage to roads, bridges and water systems has disrupted access to essential services and made some communities difficult to reach. Rasuwa – the most isolated of the three districts – has sustained the most severe damage.
Children face heightened risks
At least 107 children may have been separated from their parents or caregivers, leaving them particularly vulnerable to neglect, exploitation and trafficking. Ensuring that children are safe and have appropriate care must be a priority from the earliest stages of an emergency response.
The loss of family members, homes and familiar routines is also taking an emotional toll, causing grief and distress and increasing the need for mental health and psychosocial support.
Safe water, healthcare and adequate nutrition are among the most pressing needs. Around 2,600 children under five are expected to require treatment for severe wasting, while contaminated water and poor sanitation increase the risk of disease.
Education has also been severely disrupted. Across the three districts, 19 schools have been damaged or destroyed, while another eight are being used as shelters.
Immediate action for children
Following the floods, SOS Children’s Villages Nepal deployed a rapid assessment team to identify child protection risks, priority needs and children and families requiring support.
SOS Children’s Villages Nepal is working with government authorities to identify unaccompanied children and children who have lost both parents and ensure they receive appropriate alternative care.
Two child-friendly spaces are also being established to provide safe and supportive environments for children, including access to psychosocial support.
Mobilizing support
SOS Children’s Villages Nepal is planning to reach close to 6,000 children and adults in Rasuwa, Nuwakot and Dhading. The scale of the humanitarian response will depend on evolving needs and available funding.
Alongside the child protection work already underway, planned assistance will focus on families' most urgent needs, including food and nutrition, safe water and sanitation, emergency shelter and essential household items. Cash or vouchers are also planned to help families cover necessities based on their individual needs.
Restoring learning and building resilience
Restoring access to education will be essential to help children regain a sense of stability and routine. Temporary Learning Centres are planned in areas where schools have been swept away or severely damaged, alongside the provision of learning materials and psychosocial support for students and teachers. Children could also receive school supplies and winter clothing, while damaged schools would be supported with repairs.
As communities move towards recovery, the plan also includes support for families whose livelihoods have been affected and measures to strengthen disaster preparedness, including community risk mapping and stronger early warning systems.
SOS Children’s Villages Nepal is working with communities, partners and authorities to put children’s safety and care at the centre of the humanitarian response.