For Children, With Children
CWIN On The Move: Relief and Recovery— 2-Month Impact
Child Workers in Nepal Concerned Center (CWIN) has continued its efforts to reach
out to families and children affected by the disastrous earthquake of 25 April 2015
followed by another quake of magnitude 7.3 on 12 May 2015 for the past two
months.
During this period, CWIN has distributed aid including food supplies, tarpaulins,
medicines, special child packs and recreational packs to more than 15,000 families
and more than 75,000 people in 14 most affected districts of Nepal. These districts
are Kathmandu, Bhaktapur, Lalitpur, Dhading, Dolakha, Gorkha, Kaski, Kavre,
Makwanpur, Nuwakot, Ramechhap, Rasuwa, Sindhuli and Sindhupalchowk. CWIN
continues to maintain a strong presence in these communities. We have reached
more than 54,000 children directly in 11 districts with children's packs and
recreational packs.
Relief with Dignity
CWIN distributed family packs containing food supplies such as rice, lentils, oil,
sugar, noodles, beaten rice, soaps, water purifier tablets and other amenities for
15000 families benefitting 75000 people. CWIN distributed special children’s packs
containing toys, stationery, crayons, puzzles, biscuits, toothbrush/toothpaste,
powder, nail clippers and Helpline information on child protection to 54000 children
in 11 districts. CWIN also distributed tarpaulins, mattresses and blankets to 15800
families in the initial days of earthquake. CWIN and TUKI will also be supporting
about 4000 families to build temporary shelters in Dolakha and Dhading districts.
Health and Medical Support
CWIN conducted 25 Health Camps in 11 districts for 6800 children and adults in
cooperation with Nepal Pediatric Society (NEPAS) and volunteer doctors from USA
and Germany. CWIN is also providing support for children with critical illness
identified in the health camps for their further treatment and surgery. CWIN also
provided generator, water tank, medicines and clothes to Kanti Children’s Hospital.
We distributed relief materials including blankets, food, toys, stationery to injured
children admitted in hospitals. CWIN also distributed water purification device with
jerry cans to eight northern VDCs of Dolakha.
Psychosocial Support
In coordination with NEPAS and Child Health Division of the Ministry of Health, CWIN
has produced 200,000 leaflets to raise awareness on psychosocial wellbeing of
children in times of disaster among parents and guardians. CWIN along with Nepal
Institute of Psychology (NIP) has established mobile counseling camps in multiple
hospitals and temporary shelter camps in order to respond to the psychosocial
needs of traumatized children. So far, CWIN has trained 87 social workers and
counselors on Psycho-social First Aid (PFA), who are now involved in this initiative
with children at different locations within and outside the valleys in districts like
Nuwakot, Dolakha, Kaski, Makwanpur and Sindhupalchowk. CWIN Child Helpline
1098 continues to provide telephone counseling to children and young people who
call the hotline number.
Child Protection
CWIN Child Helpline 1098 was able to reach out to about 5,000 children through
various emergency and humanitarian services to child survivors of earthquake who
were at risk. During this period, Child Helpline 1098 hotline number has received
more than 14,000 calls. Helpline was also involved in assessing the situation of the
earthquake-affected children who are internally displaced and are residing with their
families in different parts of Kathmandu. After the assessment, it provided necessary
support including education support. Besides, it has also been involved in rescue and
family reintegration of the children who were brought to Kathmandu by suspected
traffickers. CWIN is working closely with the Women and Children Service
Directorate of Nepal Police to raise awareness of issues related to child protection
and to prevent trafficking. In addition to running child protection desks in
Kathmandu, Makwanpur, Kaski, Morang, Banke and Kailali; CWIN has now initiated
district child protection desks in affected districts Kavre, Sindhupalchwok, and
Dolkha to protect vulnerable children from abuse and exploitation. Likewise, Contact
Centre being run by CWIN at the Central Bus Terminal in Kathmandu is working for
preventing trafficking and unsafe migration.
Child Friendly Spaces (CFS) and Temporary Learning Centers (TLCs)
CWIN is operating 35 Child Friendly Spaces and child protection help desks in
Kirtipur, Kathmandu and Dolakha. CWIN/RDTA TUKI are also in the process of
constructing 160 TLCs in Dolakha, Makwanpur, Sindhupalchok, Kavre and
Kathmandu. Some of these are already in operation. In order to make these TLCs
more children friendly, CWIN has distributed 510 recreational packs and school kits.
Disaster Networking and Coordination
CWIN has initiated a loose network of 14 organizations mobilizing disaster
volunteers entitled ‘Nepal Disaster Volunteer Coordination Network’. This network is
working to jointly respond to the needs of flood and landslide victims of Taplejung
District. The network has mobilized 850 youth volunteers who have worked with
CWIN selflessly in delivering relief to children and families this past month.
Partners/Supporters
CWIN’s outreach to children and families in this time of dire need was made possible
by the generous support and solidarity by its international partners such as ICDINetherlands, FORUT-Norway, CINI-India, Embassy of India in Nepal, Seljord Folk High
School-Norway, CESVI-Italy, Comic Relief, Quinoa/Salaai-Belgium, GRT-Italy, Peace
Boat Disaster Relief Volunteer Center (PBV), ECPAT Luxembourg, We-world-Italy,
Ashmore Foundation, United world College South East Asia and individual wellwishers from different countries.
Lastly, CWIN has now begun strategizing on the community level to develop
innovative initiatives for the recovery process. We are working with the local
stakeholders, community members and children themselves to restore a dignified
life for the families and children affected. We want to develop initiatives that will
empower the communities, such as women-focused livelihood programs—as this
will reduce long-term dependency on external aid. We will be focusing on children’s
health and nutrition, their psychosocial health, education and building temporary
shelters on this phase. The undertaking of the recovery phase is an uphill task,
however, we at CWIN remain dedicated to the need of the hour. It will be another
challenge to undertake recovery and development work simultaneously.
CWIN will continue to serve children and families in the affected districts and
encourage them to remain hopeful and resilient.
URL: www.cwin.org.np
Email: cwin@mos.com.np