Displaced Families Struggle to Rebuild Life Inside Temporary Shelters After Evictions

For families displaced by recent eviction drives across the valley, life inside makeshift shelters in Kathmandu has become a daily struggle.

Hundreds of families displaced by the government’s clearance of informal settlements in places like Thapathali, Gairigaun and Shantinagar have been placed in temporary shelters and are now trying to get back to their normal lives under uncertain circumstances.

Life at the Shelter

Dozens of families are living under one roof of corrugated sheets at a temporary shelter in Sundarighat, Kirtipur. Families lack walls and proper partitions, so they share open space, putting down thin mats on the floor to create sleeping areas.

The lack of privacy has been one of the biggest challenges, say many residents. They have a roof over their heads, but the atmosphere is temporary and precarious.

They’ve got basic services like water and toilets and health checks. Doctors have been sent, and volunteers are helping to keep the children busy. But these facilities do little to ease the emotional toll on families who lost their homes overnight.

Tight Rules and Little Freedom

The shelters are tightly secured. Police staff check people in and out, recording names and times of movement. Some find it restrictive that residents must be in at a certain time in the evening.

Authorities say the measures are necessary to maintain order, but the displaced say they have less freedom.

Tales of Loss and Uncertainty

Behind every family there is a story of sudden loss.

Many residents had spent years building up their homes, only to have them torn down in hours in the eviction drive. In the chaos some families were separated but reunited.

Many will be most concerned as to what will happen next—especially children. Parents worry about disrupted schooling, a lack of stability, and uncertainty about where they will live next.

“We need clarity from the government,” said one displaced resident. “We don’t know what’s going to happen tomorrow.

What’s Next? Government Plans and Questions

Authorities said displaced families will be verified, and those eligible could be moved to government housing in the coming weeks. But how much it will cost, the conditions, and the long-term plans are not clear. 

Some residents say they fear they will not be able to afford rent if they are charged and wonder if the solution will help them.

A city on the move

The eviction campaign is part of a broader effort to clear out riverbank settlements and reclaim public land. Authorities say such measures are necessary for urban planning and environmental protection.

But the human cost of those decisions is now visible inside temporary shelters as families adjust to a new and uncertain reality.

Conclusion

For now, life goes on in these shelters slowly, quietly, with many questions unanswered.

Long-term solutions are being worked on by the government, but displaced families are still facing immediate challenges of survival, dignity, and hope for a more stable future.

Tags: Nepal Eviction, Kathmandu Shelters, Squatter Settlement Nepal, Displaced Families, Nepal News