Silence Speaks Louder: Ensuring Protection After the Floods

“Before the flood, we were constantly dealing with reports of domestic abuse and harassment. We knew where the risks were and we were able to respond. Now, the reports have simply stopped.”

For a female police officer working in one of Nuwakot's temporary holding centres, the silence is not necessarily reassuring. Across 20 holding centres accommodating more than 2,500 displaced people, no GBV or child-harassment cases have been formally reported at the time of assessment. But the absence of reports does not necessarily mean the absence of risk.

Women who may have already been living with violence or other forms of vulnerability remain part of the wider affected community. The flood has disrupted the support systems they relied on, while displacement has created new barriers to privacy, communication and help-seeking. Inside the centres, families are living in crowded conditions, often sharing limited space with people they do not know. Privacy is scarce. For someone who has experienced violence, finding a safe and confidential moment to speak about it can be difficult.

Police have established separate spaces for men and women across the centres to support safety and order. But the pressure is increasing. Limited sanitation facilities, overcrowding and the arrival of people seeking relief supplies are making it increasingly difficult to identify and prioritise those who have lost their homes and are most in need of assistance.

The needs are often basic but deeply personal. Women have been asking for sanitary pads, underwear and other dignity items, small necessities that can become difficult to access during displacement.

“Our police forces are working around the clock to keep these centres safe. We can provide security. We can keep order. We can help reunite families. But these people need more than security now. They need care, protection, dignity, and someone who knows how to help them begin rebuilding their lives.” Female Police Office, DPO 

For children, the disruption has been particularly profound. Some were separated from their families during the floods, losing not only their homes and belongings, but also the familiar people and routines that made them feel safe. Police officers and others supporting the centres have been sitting with children on concrete floors, talking with them, playing simple games and creating moments of distraction while efforts continue to locate and reunite families. But the children are beginning to show the strain of prolonged displacement.

The games do not hold their attention for as long. They are becoming restless. They are asking more questions. And they continue to look for their parents.” Caretaker, Holding Center, Bidur

The experience is a reminder that as the immediate emergency response continues, protection, psychosocial support, family tracing and safe referral mechanisms are just as important as food, water and shelter. Restoring a sense of safety and dignity will be an essential part of helping affected families and children move from surviving the disaster towards recovery.