As many of you are aware I have a very close affiliation with Child Nepal New Zealand and the Education Resource Pack distributions that were completed recently in Nepal by our youngest daughter and her husband in association with Child Nepal.
Recently, Child Nepal Executive Director, Mohan Dangal led a team doing initial assessments in the flood affected regions of Nuwakot, Rasuwa and Dhading districts.
While there he was greatly moved by the damage that the devastating flood left behind and the image of a doll in the mud and silt had him emotionally questioning – He writes*:
Who plays with this doll?
“For the third time today, I reached Devighat of Nuwakot district, which was highly affected by the last devastating floods of Nepal.
I was seeing scenes of destruction, mud, destruction and pain left by floods all around.
But suddenly my eyes were drawn to this little red knee. I stopped there for a while.
The same question came to my mind – who’s was this doll?
Maybe, some girl would have played with this as her best friend. She must have slept holding this doll in her lap. She would have made her own little pillow and put it next to her and slept. She might have talked to it, got angry with it and talked to it again.
So today… The doll is here. Where is that little girl at?
Floods haven’t just swept away homes, farms, belongings and dreams. It has taken away the homes and livelihoods of many parents and a safe world for many children. Still so many children missing. Sometimes an imagination in the heart breaks the heart 😦
- Is there any child still waiting for rescue?
- Is there any child crying looking for her parents?
- Is there any child who is weak due to fear and fatigue and is waiting for help from anyone?
Searching for every missing child should be the first responsibility of the state. I heartily appeal to the government, security agencies, local level and all related agencies. Let’s put the search and rescue of missing children in the highest priority. Let’s find them safe, get them to a safe place and reunite them with their families.
Today I saw this doll found in the mud, I had a question in my mind – “Where is the one who used to play this doll as his or her world?”
May all the children rescued by the flood be found safe. May every parent be able to embrace their children again and like this doll left alone in the mud, may no child’s childhood be left alone like this.”
Now, I don’t know about you but reading these words left me feeling quite emotional – with a tear in my eye I’m left wondering; What can I do from the confines of my home where I am surrounded by four sturdy walls and I feel safe, warm and secure?
The thing is, the events that transpired two weeks ago may have started to fade from ‘front page’ / focus on our major news channels but the need is continuing to grow – In the wake of this disaster, children are particularly vulnerable to health and protection risks.
UNICEF estimates that at least 22,000 children urgently need safe drinking water, sanitation and hygiene support.
Families may also struggle to meet children’s nutritional needs. An estimated 2,600 children under five are expected to require treatment for severe wasting following the destruction of critical infrastructure and food systems, while pregnant and breastfeeding women also need support.
Through it all, the psychological impact on children is severe. Many have lost homes or loved ones, fled rapidly rising floodwaters or been torn from their families in the chaos of the day.
And unfortunately, displacement and increased movement, particularly in the border regions, heighten the risks of trafficking, exploitation, abuse and gender-based violence.
So what can I do? What could you do?
Assess the resources that we have, and where we are able donate to organisations that are engaging with the needs of those that are on the frontline of recovery and response efforts.
Unfortunately, in this day and age we can get bombarded with a raft of misinformation and half truths on social media – So, we need to remain informed through reading information from trusted sources and not accepting everything that we read or hear online.
Continue praying for the people of Nepal:
Dear Lord, in this moment I pray for all those affected by the floods in Nepal and Tibet. Be near to those who mourn the loss of loved ones, and to all who wait in uncertainty for news of family and friends.
Hold close those whose homes, livelihoods and communities have been swept away, and all those who are filled with remorse, displaced or afraid, especially the children.
Strengthen the rescue workers, local communities, churches and all who are searching, serving and offering care in the midst of this crisis. Grant them courage, resilience and compassion to those waiting for news, facing uncertainty, and fearing the days ahead.
In Jesus’ name we pray Amen.
For me this means maintaining connection with those that I’ve come to know as brothers and sisters, offering what support and encouragement I can from afar. And sharing what the likes of Child Nepal is doing on the ground in affected areas on my social platforms; so that those within my spheres of influence can be better informed and aware of the ongoing needs.
Blessings ’til next time 🙂
* Edited slightly with permission
Te Wiki o te Reo Māori (Māori Language Week) is an annual celebration held in the third week of September, and this year, it takes place from September the 14th (this coming Monday) through to the 20th.
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