KATHMANDU, Sept 24: Minister for Women, Children, Gender and Sexual Minorities and Social Security, Sita Badi, said that a long-term care plan has been brought for children affected by the Bhotekoshi flood who need special protection.
In today's House of Representatives (HoR) meeting, she mentioned that priority has been given to locating affected children, their rescue, protection, search for their guardians, and reunion with their family.
"Child protection coordination mechanisms have been formed in the flood-affected 15 local levels, and work is being done on information collection, rescue, and protection. Child-friendly centres are being run at 40 locations for the needy children," Minister Badi said.
She said that the government has taken special responsibility for the protection of children who need special care, have lost their parents, are disabled, or are from remote and socially and economically disadvantaged backgrounds.
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Minister Badi informed that a temporary protection service has been set up in Godawari Municipality-12, Thecho, Lalitpur to provide rescued children with services like accommodation, food, health care, psychosocial support, family tracing, and reunification.
She said that a long-term care plan has been introduced to provide children who have lost or gone missing parents due to flooding with proper protection, care, nutrition, and medical treatment until they turn 18, as well as education for at least 12 years and social security.
Minister Badi informed the HoR that the work of providing a detailed report on the situation of flood-affected children through the National Child Rights Council has been accelerated on the ground. She urged the lawmakers to inform the National Child Rights Council if any child in the affected area faces any problem.
"The government's efforts alone are not enough to protect children affected during disasters, and coordination and cooperation from everyone are necessary," she reiterated.
Minister Badi made it clear that children cannot be transferred or moved to other places illegally even in the name of protection and education, saying that moving or transferring children would be illegal without the consent of the National Child Rights Council and the recommendation of local child welfare officers.
She informed that the government is also coordinating with relevant shelters, local authorities, and service-providing organizations to protect senior citizens and people with disabilities, adding that arrangements have been made for the rescue, safe shelter, medical treatment, supportive materials, and rehabilitation of elderly citizens affected by disasters.
Minister Badi informed that senior citizens displaced from the Senior Citizen Protection and Study Foundation in Devighat, Nuwakot, were moved to a safe alternative location and provided with health check-ups, necessary supplies, and psychosocial counseling.
She mentioned that air rescue arrangements have been made for pregnant and postpartum women at risk in areas where road and transportation connections are blocked.
According to Minister Badi, so far, 11 women in complicated labor and newborns have been airlifted and brought to Paropakar Maternity and Women's Hospital for treatment.
Minister Badi informed that 10 women- and girl-friendly safe spaces have been set up in Nuwakot and Dhading for women and girls affected by the flood. She also mentioned that in Budhanilkantha, arrangements will be made for protection, safety, and temporary shelter for women affected and at risk due to the disaster.
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