After the Earthquake: Nepal’s children speak out

Nepal was struck by a 7.6 magnitude earthquake on 25 April 2015 and another 6.8 magnitude earthquake on 12 May. These two events, combined with hundreds of aftershocks resulted in over 8,700 deaths and wrought massive destruction across the affected districts. Children, who represent 42% of Nepal’s population, have suffered unimaginable trauma and loss.

To better understand the consequences for children, four child-centred agencies, in coordination with the Ministry of Federal Affairs and Local Development (MoFALD) and the Central Child Welfare Board (CCWB), conducted a Children’s Earthquake Recovery Consultation using Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) with more than 1,800 girls and boys from the 14 most severely-affected districts. The objectives of the consultation were to hear directly from children the challenges they are facing in the aftermath of the earthquakes; to assess the impact of the crisis on their roles, responsibilities and future opportunities; and to seek their views on and recommendations for recovery.

The children who took part in this consultation provided detailed and practical recommendations. They had clear ideas about how they wanted their communities to be rebuilt and the support needed to achieve this. They saw a clear role for themselves and their communities in rebuilding after the devastation. Given the magnitude of the challenges, however, they also expressed a valid expectation of significant assistance from authorities and other stakeholders. Their detailed recommendations are documented in this report.

It is hoped that this consultation will contribute to the ongoing recovery and planning process led by the Government of Nepal and will inform responses by the national authorities, humanitarian agencies and others engaged in assisting the millions of people affected by the earthquakes as well as planning for future disasters across the country.