학교와 친구 잃고…“살아남은 슬픔” 배워버린 네팔 아이들

In a recent interview with Haneul (Korean) on January 31st, Ayushiji Joshi, the head of the Save the Children Nepal program, shared the harrowing story of a girl from Naukot, one of the areas worst hit by Nepal’s recent floods. Joshi recounted how the young girl had lost her closest four friends to the floodwaters and had trouble sleeping due to her sorrow.

Despite not crying or being separated from her family, the girl was overwhelmed by her grief. Joshi also noted that many children in the area were still struggling with lack of proper clothing and hygiene facilities at their temporary shelters.

The 2015 Nepal earthquake had already left a lasting psychological impact on the population, and this recent flood has only exacerbated the crisis. UNESCO reported that around 62,000 children were affected by the floods, with 28 schools damaged or destroyed, impacting 1,891,800 students. The total death toll from the floods reached nearly 900, including at least 37 children.

In Naukot, the child development rate had already been 32% lower than average, and malnutrition rates stood at 12.1%, which is expected to worsen in the shelters due to inadequate sanitation and medical services.

International aid organizations are providing immediate relief and support for education recovery. World Vision is focused on providing food, clean drinking water, sanitation facilities, and safe shelters in Naukot's Bhudura village. Save the Children is setting up child-friendly spaces and temporary learning spaces in 11 temporary shelters. Ayushiji emphasized the need for long-term support to rebuild schools and provide mental health support for children.