Pay heed to flood-affected children: CZOP

Kathmandu: A national campaign of Children as Zones of Peace (CZOP) has called on the government and relevant agencies to ramp up search and rescue of those gone missing due to recent flash flood.

CZOP chair Tilottam Poudel and general secretary Raju Ghimire issued a press statement today, emphasizing the need for equitable distribution of relief and humanitarian aid to all affected communities.

They advocated for the priority to children impacted by the disaster so that the children could have better and easy access to safety, health, nutrition, protection and education. CZOP has raised concerns about the potential risks of child trafficking during such crises. Immediate identification and protection of children who have been separated from their families or orphaned is urgent, they reminded.

Health and psychosocial support to the vulnerable children is essential, CZOP said, adding that incorporation of child-friendly psychosocial counseling into relief efforts counts much to alleviate the children’s trauma.

Protection of privacy and dignity of victims, and sensitivity in the media coverage of the affected individuals, particularly children are equally important issues at such hour, according to CZOP.

Unauthorized use of personal information and images may be a cause for mental stress, he warned. Also raised in the press statement is the need of protecting children from the potential spread of disease/infection due to their exposure to the unattended dead bodies.

The campaign has appealed to the media and stakeholders to deal with the identities and details of affected individuals in responsible and sensitive manner. Even effective monitoring is sought from the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC).

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