Nepal's Displaced Mothers Face Crisis of Privacy and Care Amidst Flood Aftermath
Kathmandu, Nepal – Weeks after devastating floods swept through Nepal, displacing thousands, mothers in temporary shelters are grappling with a profound crisis that extends beyond the immediate need for food and water. The lack of basic privacy, inadequate sanitation, and limited access to essential maternal care are severely impacting the well-being of pregnant women and new mothers.
In crowded relief camps, women like Pariyar, a breastfeeding mother of a newborn, describe the distressing conditions. "We are all in the same place, so it is difficult,” she shared, referencing the presence of cigarette smoke and alcohol, which disrupt her baby's rest. The stress has reportedly led to a decrease in her breast milk supply. "If there was a safe place, and the baby could get her vaccinations here, that would be better,” Pariyar stated, highlighting the urgent need for child-friendly spaces and timely access to healthcare.
The destruction of roads and bridges has cut off many of these women from essential medical facilities. Pregnant women and new mothers require specific care, including "a female-friendly space to breastfeed, food timed to nursing schedule, and a way to reach emergency care if labour turns dangerous." Aid workers emphasize that privacy is not a luxury but a necessity in disaster response. "There is no private space to bathe, to dry clothes, to breastfeed. That privacy is not an extra service in a disaster response; it's a necessity."
Women and girls in Nepal are disproportionately affected by natural disasters. An estimated 157,050 women and girls were impacted by the recent flash floods and mudslides in the Rasuwa and Nuwakot districts alone. The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) estimates that around 4,430 pregnant women are living in the hardest-hit areas. These women face heightened risks of gender-based violence, sexual exploitation, and unmet reproductive health needs.
Compounding these challenges are issues of hygiene and menstrual care. While some non-governmental organizations have provided sanitary pads, their disposal remains a significant problem due to inadequate waste management. Many women also lack basic undergarments, rendering the pads difficult to use effectively. The scarcity of clean water exacerbates the situation, impacting both personal hygiene and the ability to manage menstruation safely.
Medical facilities, such as Trishuli Hospital, are struggling to cope with the aftermath. The maternity ward has become an improvised crisis center, with staff facing challenges in providing care due to unreliable electricity and a shortage of supplies. Women are presenting with various health concerns, including fever, reduced fetal movement, and urinary tract infections, further straining the limited resources.
Experts and aid agencies are calling for a more gender-sensitive approach to disaster relief. "The humanitarian response must recognize the experiences of women and girls," stated Christine Arab of UN Women. "It must reach them and it must include them as key drivers in Nepal's recovery." There is an urgent need for targeted interventions that address the specific vulnerabilities of pregnant women, new mothers, and their infants, ensuring their dignity, health, and safety in the critical post-disaster period.
In crowded relief camps, women like Pariyar, a breastfeeding mother of a newborn, describe the distressing conditions. "We are all in the same place, so it is difficult,” she shared, referencing the presence of cigarette smoke and alcohol, which disrupt her baby's rest. The stress has reportedly led to a decrease in her breast milk supply. "If there was a safe place, and the baby could get her vaccinations here, that would be better,” Pariyar stated, highlighting the urgent need for child-friendly spaces and timely access to healthcare.
The destruction of roads and bridges has cut off many of these women from essential medical facilities. Pregnant women and new mothers require specific care, including "a female-friendly space to breastfeed, food timed to nursing schedule, and a way to reach emergency care if labour turns dangerous." Aid workers emphasize that privacy is not a luxury but a necessity in disaster response. "There is no private space to bathe, to dry clothes, to breastfeed. That privacy is not an extra service in a disaster response; it's a necessity."
Women and girls in Nepal are disproportionately affected by natural disasters. An estimated 157,050 women and girls were impacted by the recent flash floods and mudslides in the Rasuwa and Nuwakot districts alone. The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) estimates that around 4,430 pregnant women are living in the hardest-hit areas. These women face heightened risks of gender-based violence, sexual exploitation, and unmet reproductive health needs.
Compounding these challenges are issues of hygiene and menstrual care. While some non-governmental organizations have provided sanitary pads, their disposal remains a significant problem due to inadequate waste management. Many women also lack basic undergarments, rendering the pads difficult to use effectively. The scarcity of clean water exacerbates the situation, impacting both personal hygiene and the ability to manage menstruation safely.
Medical facilities, such as Trishuli Hospital, are struggling to cope with the aftermath. The maternity ward has become an improvised crisis center, with staff facing challenges in providing care due to unreliable electricity and a shortage of supplies. Women are presenting with various health concerns, including fever, reduced fetal movement, and urinary tract infections, further straining the limited resources.
Experts and aid agencies are calling for a more gender-sensitive approach to disaster relief. "The humanitarian response must recognize the experiences of women and girls," stated Christine Arab of UN Women. "It must reach them and it must include them as key drivers in Nepal's recovery." There is an urgent need for targeted interventions that address the specific vulnerabilities of pregnant women, new mothers, and their infants, ensuring their dignity, health, and safety in the critical post-disaster period.
This article and image are AI generated. For informational purposes only.