Nepal floods leave 17,000 children in need of urgent mental health support: UNICEF

Kathmandu (Nepal), September 15, 2026: More than 17,000 children affected by the recent floods in Nepal are estimated to need urgent mental health and psychosocial support, while 541 unaccompanied and separated children remain at heightened risk, according to UNICEF.The UN children’s agency said the floods have left many children dealing with fear, anxiety and grief after witnessing deaths, destruction of homes and schools, displacement and the uncertainty surrounding missing family members.UNICEF said the floods struck while many children were at school, abruptly disrupting their sense of safety. Some children are reportedly struggling to talk about what they experienced and may require sustained psychological support as they recover from the disaster.“Beyond the visible destruction, these floods have left deep emotional scars on children and families,” said Alice Akunga, UNICEF Representative to Nepal. She said mental health and psychosocial support is needed alongside humanitarian assistance and the restoration of essential infrastructure.Dr Shitanshu Dhakal, Medical Officer at Trishuli Hospital in Nuwakot and a former UNICEF Youth Advocate for mental health, said psychological support should be placed at the centre of the emergency response.According to UNICEF, early mental health interventions can help children cope with distress, restore a sense of safety and routine, and identify those who require specialized care. Children facing severe psychological distress may also become more vulnerable to social isolation, stigma, exploitation and other protection risks.UNICEF and its partners are also working to trace and reunite children separated from their families. So far, 18 unaccompanied and separated children have been reunited with their families, while alternative family-based care is being arranged for children who have lost both parents.Community-based child protection teams have been deployed along key transit and displacement routes to identify children at risk and facilitate referrals to support services. The teams are also working to prevent trafficking, exploitation and further family separation.Mental health services are being expanded through Psychological First Aid and counselling. UNICEF said 18 Child-Friendly Spaces have been established, including 13 supported by the agency, providing children with safe places to play, learn and begin recovering from the impact of the floods.Psychologists, counsellors and frontline workers are also providing support in displacement sites and affected communities.UNICEF has called for greater investment in child protection and mental health services to ensure that children affected by the floods receive sustained support as they recover and rebuild their lives.

Photo Source: UNICEF