Kathmandu, September 11
Minister for Women, Children, Gender and Sexual Minorities, and Social Security Sita Badi has cautioned against relocating children from flood-affected areas without proper authorisation.
Speaking at Friday’s meeting of the House of Representatives’ Women and Social Affairs Committee, Minister Badi urged organisations to transfer children only through coordination with local child welfare officers and the recommendation of the National Child Rights Council, noting that children are at heightened risk of trafficking in such situations.
“Taking children from one place to another under the pretext of enrolling them in school or arranging other support carries a risk of trafficking,” Badi told the committee. “I therefore urge that no child be taken anywhere without coordination and recommendation from the local level and the Child Rights Council. We have seen many such incidents in the past.”
120 children without guardians
According to Minister Badi, 120 children currently without guardians are staying at holding centres in flood-affected areas. Initial assessment, protection, and efforts to trace their guardians are underway.
She said work was being expedited to set up a temporary protection centre under the National Child Rights Council at a government building in Khetso, Godawari Municipality-12, Lalitpur, to shelter these children.
She made clear that the government would prioritise reuniting children with their families wherever possible, and would take full responsibility for any child whose family could not be found or whose relatives were unable to care for them.
Checkpoints set up at sensitive border points
The ministry said surveillance has been stepped up at various points in coordination with Nepal Police to prevent human trafficking and gender-based violence that could occur during the disaster.
According to Minister Badi, special checkpoints have been established at sensitive locations, including Belkot, Galchhi checkpoint, Shivapuri, and Kajuri Bhanjyang, to ensure the safe transit of women and children.
Cyber Bureau to act against misuse of victims’ photos and videos
Minister Badi urged that victims’ suffering not be turned into cheap publicity on social media under the guise of relief and rescue efforts.
Emphasising the need to respect the dignity, privacy, and rights of flood-affected citizens, she said the ministry was coordinating with Nepal Police’s Cyber Bureau to prevent the unauthorised use of children’s photos and videos.
Single-window policy for relief coordination
Minister Badi said the government has implemented a single-window policy for disaster management and relief distribution, with coordination among the Social Welfare Council, the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority, local levels, district administration, and security agencies.
According to ministry data, non-governmental support received for flood victims so far includes:
- From international NGOs (54 organisations): relief assistance worth Rs 40,64,44,900
- From national NGOs (30 organisations): relief assistance worth Rs 16,82,15,101
- Additional deposits to the Prime Minister’s Disaster Relief Fund from national and international NGOs: Rs 5,99,32,169
Minister Badi also informed the committee that, immediately after the floods, the ministry had convened a meeting of the “Protection Cluster” to activate mechanisms for child protection, response to gender-based violence, and psychosocial support.
