More than 500 children separated from parents and hundreds still missing after Nepal floods

As needs for family tracing and reunification grow, a rapid assessment by the National Child Rights Council and child protection experts, including Save the Children, found that 1,233 children are living in holding centres as of 4 September. Of these, 102 are unaccompanied - meaning they do not have a parent or relative with them – and 439 are separated from their parents and being cared for by relatives. KATHMANDU, 9 September 2026 – About 540 children have been separated from their parents or are unaccompanied two weeks since Nepal's devastating flash floods, according to an initial assessment, Save the Children said. As needs for family tracing and reunification grow, a rapid assessment by the National Child Rights Council and child protection experts, including Save the Children, found that 1,233 children are living in holding centres as of 4 September. Of these, 102 are unaccompanied - meaning they do not have a parent or relative with them – and 439 are separated from their parents and being cared for by relatives. [1]. Based on the preliminary number of children that schools and families have not been able to contact, about 630 children remain missing in Rasuwa and Nuwakot, according to the assessment. More than 1,300 people have died and about 5,000 are missing, according to the government. [2]. Some schools closed by the floods in Nepal are starting to reopen today with children returning to classes in Bidur – but only for children who are enrolled in education in the municipality. Children who have moved into temporary shelters in Bidur from other municipalities after being forced to leave their destroyed or damaged homes are not currently able to attend classes. The wall of water that triggered flash floods on 26 August cut off communities in minutes, breaking bridges and destroying roads, and making rescue by helicopter the only way to safety for many people. Some children were taken to different locations or temporary shelters from their families - many were at school or travelling to classes when the flood waters struck. Others may have lost one or both parents as villages were swept away. Unaccompanied or separated children have become scattered across the flood-affected areas, with more than 3,600 people living in displacement sites. Bishal*, 33, was working away from home when the flood tore through his village, destroying his home. With people moving from shelter to shelter, he had to search for days to find his family. Bishal* said: “For three days, I did not know where my family was, and that was the hardest moment of my life. The flood took away our home and shop, and my children were scared and quiet afterwards.” Save the Children is providing psychosocial support for children, including for those who are without parents or legal guardians. In one of the tented child-friendly safe spaces, a group of young children play with a toy kitchen, meticulously placing tiny chairs around a table. Next door, children practice writing English in Save the Children’s temporary learning centre. “Children are looking after children,” said Jhan Kumari Neupane, a psychosocial counsellor working in the safe spaces. “Young children have no idea that their parents might not return, while older children are trying to be resilient but are experiencing nightmares, anxiety and fear.” Tara Chettry, Country Director, Save the Children in Nepal said: “Every separated and unaccompanied child is a protection emergency. Family tracing, reunification and support for family-based care in the aftermath of a disaster on this scale is a huge challenge but a critical priority. It must be done quickly but systematically and safely by local authorities to ensure that children are protected at every step of the process. “Unaccompanied and separated children living in communal shelters are at risk of violence, exploitation and abuse including trafficking. Save the Children and partners are supporting police at checkpoints to prevent trafficking and the illicit transport of children. “This is still the emergency phase, and needs are overwhelming. There are simply not enough trained professionals to support the thousands of children who have lost so much.” For children who tragically cannot be reunited with their parents, Save the Children recommends kinship and family-based care, and is supporting authorities to ensure appropriate interim and alternative care arrangements for children who are unaccompanied. Save the Children is calling for all children to be able to return to education as soon as possible, including those living in temporary shelters and those not able to go back to destroyed or damaged schools. Save the Children has so far reached more than 6,100 people, including over 2,220 children, with emergency assistance and support. The humanitarian and child rights organisation has set up child-friendly and temporary learning spaces, providing children with a safe place to play and learn. In partnership with the Transcultural Psychosocial Organisation (TPO), we are expanding the number of counsellors who can support children. We are also continuing to deliver aid as response teams reach more areas with items including household and cooking kits and mosquito nets. Save the Children has worked in Nepal since 1976. The organisation runs programmes spanning child protection, child rights governance, education, climate change, gender equality, health and nutrition and child poverty. References: [1] The rapid assessment in 30 out of 39 holding centres was led by the National Child Rights Council with support from Save the Children and other child protection partners. Data as of 4 September 2026. [2] Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 7 September https://mofa.gov.np/content/1879/daily-update-07-september-bhote-koshi-flood/