UNICEF reports 17,000 Nepal children need mental health support after floods

Three weeks after flash floods swept through Nepal, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) reported on Tuesday that roughly 17,000 children across the country now require urgent mental health and psychosocial support. The floods, which struck in early August, caused widespread displacement, damage to homes and schools, and loss of livelihoods, leaving many families struggling to cope with the aftermath.

UNICEF’s assessment highlights the scale of psychological distress among children who have witnessed or experienced the disaster, emphasizing the need for coordinated interventions that include counseling, community-based activities, and support for caregivers. The agency is working with Nepal’s Ministry of Health, local NGOs, and international partners to mobilize resources, train mental‑health professionals, and establish safe spaces where children can receive care and rebuild resilience.

The organization urges donors and humanitarian actors to prioritize funding for child‑focused mental‑health programs as part of the broader recovery effort, noting that timely psychosocial assistance is essential to mitigate long‑term impacts on the well‑being and development of the affected youth.