“When the doors of the schools are closed on children, they close also to their dreams and ambitions; and thus to the futures of their families, their communities and their nation.”

KATHMANDU: The United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF) said a new humanitarian crisis looms large for children of Nepal due to the political unrest in Tarai region and shortage of daily essentials.

“First, there was a devastating act of nature – the earthquakes that took and damaged so many lives," Anthony Lake, UNICEF Executive Director, said in a statement today, "Now, political differences among human beings are dealing new blows to the children of Nepal."

He explained that shortage of fuel, food and medicines could severely impact the capacity to deal with diseases like pneumonia, which may affect may children in quake-hit Nepal.

Lake further expressed his fear that the misery would be more intense in winter, which is just weeks away.

“The declining stocks of gas, food and medicines, together with the closure of schools due to political strife in the Tarai plains and shortages of fuel throughout the country, are not only inflicting damage to the lives of the children now – they threaten the future of the country itself," he said.

According to the UNICEF, more than 1.5 million children are out of school in the Tarai region now.

“When the doors of the schools are closed on children, they close also to their dreams and ambitions; and thus to the futures of their families, their communities and their nation.”

The UN official, who was in a two-day visit to Nepal this week, also commented that temporary shelters built for April 25 earthquake victims were also not so good for children to cope with the winter blows.

“We urgently appeal to all involved to think not only of the coming winter, but of the longer term future as well," Lake urged.

Meanwhile, Lake paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli on Friday.