Women survivors face sanitation woes in Nepal’s relief camp

In the aftermath of Nepal's flash floods, women survivors in a temporary relief camp face severe sanitation issues, exacerbating concerns over menstrual hygiene. At a school shelter in Nuwakot district, women queued for supplies, but only three toilets serviced over 400 people, lacking tap water. Disposable sanitary pads were distributed but their disposal posed a major issue.

Women, such as Yogita Tamang, whose family of 20 lives in a cramped classroom, expressed distress over the lack of underwear to use the pads, fearing potential health complications. The UN Women agency reported that 43,000 women and girls urgently required humanitarian aid, with women survivors struggling to access clean water and food.

Despite aid agencies' efforts to distribute dignity kits containing sanitary pads, soap, and underwear, the limited supply led to uneven distribution. Aid agencies warn that overcrowding and shared facilities heighten risks for women and girls. The Golyan Foundation, managing the camp, is distributing more underwear soon, but acknowledged the strain on resources.

Displaced families fear being reassigned to the streets when schools reopen, highlighting the urgent need for adequate sanitation facilities and support to maintain their dignity during this crisis.