Resilience in the face of floods
A guide for parents and caregivers to protect and care for children during monsoon season
This year's monsoon rains have triggered catastrophic flooding in Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India, Nepal, and Pakistan, displacing millions of families, including children and young people.
With several months remaining before the end of the rainy season, the likelihood of more families being displaced in South Asia is high.
As a parent or caregiver, it is crucial to be aware of the impact of floods on children and how to safeguard them during floods.
Types of floods in South Asia
Flash floods occur following excessive rainfall over a short period of time. Water, unable to seep through the soil, flows rapidly and swallows everything in its path.
River floods occur when heavy rainfall causes rivers to overflow their banks and submerge surrounding areas.
Coastal floods occur when storm surges, high tides or tsunamis submerge land near the coast.
How do floods impact children?
Health
Floods can damage water supply systems and contaminate natural reservoirs, leading to diseases like diarrhoea, cholera, and typhoid if the contaminated water is consumed.
Likewise, stagnant water can be a breeding ground for vector-borne diseases such as malaria.
Damage to health facilities can lead to children missing out on life-saving vaccines and health services.
Lastly, experiencing such disasters can significantly impact a child’s mental health, leading to anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder. Click here to read more: Recognize signs of distress in children
Nutrition
Floods often take families by surprise, leaving little time to gather food supplies. Additionally, food stockpiles can spoil during floods. This leads to food shortages and worsening of malnutrition and stunting among children.
Education
Damage to school buildings, roads, textbooks, and other learning materials can disrupt children's learning. Often in the aftermath of the flood, many children lose access to schooling. Evidence shows that the longer this gap is, the greater the likelihood of children, especially girls, not returning to school.
Children’s safety
Children displaced by floods often stay in temporary shelters and makeshift camps. As a result, some can be exposed to risks including abuse, child labour and trafficking. Girls are particularly at risk of being coerced into early marriage.
Preparing yourself and your family for floods
Be aware
Stay informed about the flood risks in your community, such as the type of floods and the flood risk months. Monitor the local weather regularly to stay informed about potential flooding.
If applicable, familiarise yourself with local flood warning alert systems and flood rescue plans.
Talk to your child about flood safety
Floods can be scary and traumatic for children. Talk to them about floods - why they occur, what to expect, and what they should do. This will help them anticipate and better cope when faced with a flood emergency.
Make a plan
Create a safety plan to suit your family. It should include emergency contact numbers, basic tips on flood safety, and safe havens.
Ensure that your plan aligns with your community's flood response plan and, if applicable, the school your child attends.
Review your flood plan regularly with your family so everyone knows what to do.
Get your Go Bag
Create your “Go Bag” with essentials you and your family may need during and after a flood. These might include:
- First aid kit and medicines, including those you and your child take regularly
- Non-perishable locally available food (e.g. dried fruits, corn, canned food + tin opener etc.) Include baby food, if needed.
- Water purifier tablets
- Flashlights with extra batteries (or candles and matches)
- Hand crank or portable radio with extra batteries (if possible)
- Money
- Important legal documents such as birth certificates, education certificates, identity cards etc.
- A container to hold drinking water
- Extra clothes, including a jacket
- Blankets
- Rope
- Whistle
- Plastic bags to keep electronics and documents dry.
You can also make a Go Bag as recommended by your local disaster management committee or local authorities.
Store all the items in a weather-proof bag, and check the bag regularly to change damaged or expired items.
Teach your child to swim
The majority of deaths during floods are caused by drowning. Teach your child and family members how to swim, it will give them an edge.
Safety tips to follow during a flood
- Prepare your Go Bag
- Monitor the weather forecast using TV, radio and mobile SMS alerts.
- Reassure your children and recap with them what to expect and how to keep themselves safe.
- Listen to your local authorities. When instructed, evacuate and move to the safe assembly points.
- If time allows, move your valuables and important documents to a safe and dry place or take them with you.
- Remember to unplug electronic devices, turn off utilities, close doors and windows, and lock your home.
- Move to higher grounds away from any standing, flowing or rising water.
- Do not walk, swim, or drive through fast-moving flood water.
Here are additional resources to help you and your family overcome floods and their aftermath:
Tips on what to do after a flood
Tips for parents to help their children and themselves during traumatic events
