Vital but neglected

For over a decade now, incidents of violence across the country have led to enormous loss of lives and property. But the psychological trauma that it leaves behind among the victims who survive is perhaps the most damaging. Children fare the worst, unable to cope with the shock of horrifying experiences. The local administration of Kapilvastu, in an effort help the victims of the recent violence, has organised psycho-social classes for about 400 children staying in eight different camps. The classes focus on helping children overcome the trauma of violence through psychiatric treatment. The classes have been beneficial, as the children seem to be gradually emerging out of the trauma, facilitators claim.

The question, however, is whether similar steps have been taken to assist others troubled by the violence there and elsewhere. The victims of the decade-long insurgency, mostly those residing in remote areas, who, despite government’s commitment to rehabilitation, are still ignored. On the other hand, there are not many experts in psycholoigical or psychiatric treatement in Nepal; moreover, almost all of them reside in the capital. The lack of resources makes it more difficult for most of the victims to seek the services of these experts. To make matters still worse, the government has not thought fit to give the need for psychological reehabilitation of the victims its due importance. A change in focus needs to be introduced here.