Evicted Mothers and Children Struggle to Survive in Temporary Shelters in Kathmandu

30 April Kathmandu— In a quiet corner of a temporary shelter in Kirtipur, a young mother sits with her baby, trying to calm a restless child in an unfamiliar and uncomfortable environment. Dozens of refugee families around her try to reassemble bits of their shattered lives. “It has gone from being a place of personal memories, routines and stability to one of uncertainty, dependency and daily struggle.

The recent eviction drive in several informal settlements in Kathmandu has displaced not only thousands but also exposed deep gaps in planning, humanitarian response and long-term solutions. The most vulnerable include new mothers and children who are now being subjected to harsh living conditions in overcrowded shelters.

🏠 From Homes to Temporary Shelters: A Sudden Change

Eviction operations in Sinamangal, Thapathali and other riverside settlements have forced families to leave homes they have been living for years – some for almost two decades. Although informal, these settlements had become functioning communities where families built lives, raised children and developed social networks.

Being taken from a self-managed household to a controlled shelter environment has been deeply disturbing for many. Families can no longer cook their own food, or have their own privacy, or live their daily lives.

One displaced mother told us that she could cook meals that met her family’s needs back in her settlement. Now she is left with only what is offered – often just tea, biscuits or basic communal food.

👶 The Silent Crisis of New Moms’ Struggles

“Postpartum mothers are one of the hardest hit.”

Stress, poor nutrition and lack of privacy have made breastfeeding difficult. Many mothers say that their milk supply has been cut down to the point where they have to depend on packaged baby food, which is not always available or easy to prepare.

In shelters where water heating facilities are limited, preparing baby food becomes another daily struggle. Mothers are often forced to mix food with whatever resources they have, thus compromising the nutrition of their infants.

If hygiene and health are involved, the situation becomes even more alarming. “Infants are exposed to bites of insects and environmental risks without proper mosquito nets or protective arrangements. Some mothers said their babies got rashes and infections from poor conditions.

🌧️Living Conditions: Crowded, Noisy and Inadequate

The temporary shelters were supposed to be temporary, but the reality inside them tells a different story.

Dozens of families are crowded together in shelters that have no proper partitions, sharing one open space. Privacy is about mental health, not just comfort. Parents are anxious and tired. Babies can't sleep because of the constant noise.

Heavy rain has made the situation worse. In some cases, bedding and belongings were soaked because of leaks or badly built shelter structures, and the authorities handed out tents as a temporary measure.

But tents provide only limited protection, and will never substitute for the security of a home.

🍲 Food & Nutrition Crisis

Inside the shelters, food is another big problem.

The food provided is often simple and insufficient, especially for children, the elderly and postpartum mothers requiring nutritious diets. In some shelters, there are religious or institutional restrictions on eating protein-rich foods such as meat and eggs.

This has had a big impact on residents' health. Children cannot digest food properly. Mothers feel weak physically due to lack of proper nutrition.

Water to drink is also scarce. In some shelters, dozens of families share a few taps, making daily life even more difficult.

🏥 Health and Hygiene Problems

Access to healthcare remains uneven.

Shelters might offer medical checkups but many residents say they have trouble getting regular medical care particularly for infants and the elderly. Mothers emerging from childbirth are especially vulnerable as they need constant care and support.

The situation is worsened by the absence of decent sanitation facilities. The risk of disease transmission is higher due to overcrowding and the living environment is unhealthy due to poor hygiene conditions.

🧠 Psychological Impact: Stress, Anxiety and Trauma

Beyond the physical hardship, the emotional and psychological toll of displacement is severe.

But families have lost not only homes, but also security and dignity. Ongoing stress is caused by uncertainty of the future – where they will live, how they will survive and if they will be resettled.

Children are particularly susceptible. Many have seen their homes destroyed, which can leave emotional scars that last a lifetime. Their education has also been disrupted as books, uniforms and school environments were lost during the eviction.

Professionals who work with displaced communities have noticed an increase in anxiety, depression and trauma among residents.

📚 Education Disrupted

Education for school-going children has come to a halt due to eviction.

Many students lost their textbooks and study materials in the demolition. Shelters are not good for studying, there are no quiet areas, not enough light and no internet access.

Some students have to travel long distances to write exams and others risk dropping out altogether.

Parents worry that the interruption can have long-term effects on their children’s future.

Loss of livelihoods.

The eviction has also resulted in a mass loss of jobs.

Many residents worked in informal sectors – domestic work, labor jobs, small businesses – which depended on proximity to their homes. They were thrown out of their houses. They lost their means of livelihood too.

Families are now heavily reliant on aid, vulnerable and dependent, without stable employment.

🏘️ Limbo Resettlement

Perhaps the most urgent question is what becomes of permanent resettlement.

Verification processes will determine which families are eligible for government support, authorities have said. But this is a process that can take time and there is no guarantee that all displaced people will get help.

This uncertainty is deeply unsettling for many families. They don’t know if they’ll get housing, if they’ll be asked to pay rent, or if they’ll be forced to move somewhere else.

⚖️ Worries for Human Rights

Human rights groups have raised serious questions about the eviction process.

According to reports, many families have been displaced without adequate preparation, consultation or alternative accommodation. Children, pregnant women and the elderly are among the vulnerable groups particularly affected.

International human rights standards underline that evictions are to be carried out only where there are adequate resettlement plans in place. But in this case, many families were without clear support systems.

🏙️ Why These Settlements Are

To fully understand the issue, it is important to understand why these informal settlements exist in the first place.

Many marginalized communities such as low-income workers, migrants and socially excluded groups cannot afford or access formal housing in Kathmandu. Survival is only possible through informal settlements.

These communities contribute significantly to the city’s economy, yet remain excluded from its formal systems.

🔄 Displacement Cycle

Many families have experienced evictions before.

Some residents said they have been moved several times over the years, hopping from one temporary fix to the next without ever finding stability.

This cycle of displacement points to deeper structural issues: lack of affordable housing, poor urban planning, and inadequate social protection systems.

🧭 The Road Ahead: What Needs to Change

The time for immediate, far-reaching action is upon us.

1. Shelters get better quickly

• Improved nutrition and food

• Access to health care

• Water & sanitation

• Privacy and security measures

2. Safeguarding vulnerable groups

• Special support for mothers and babies

• Child friendly spaces

• Care of the elderly and the handicapped

3. Resettlement Plans Clear

• Simple verification process

• Affordable Housing Options

• Stability for families in the long-term

4. Inclusive Urban Policies

• Informal settlements recognition

• cost-effective housing programs

• Social protection for the marginalized

🧾 Conclusion: The Crisis Is More Than Shelter

The problems of the evicted mothers and children in Kathmandu are not just about housing. They are about dignity, rights and survival.

Temporary shelters can offer immediate relief, but they can not substitute the sense of belonging and security that comes with having a home. Without planning and long-term solutions, displacement will continue to drive vulnerable communities into further hardship.

As the city grows and matures, the question is:

Will progress be for all, or leave the most vulnerable behind?

Tags:

• Kathmandu Eviction
• Temporary Shelters
• Displaced Families
• Mothers and Children
• Urban Poverty
• Housing Crisis Nepal
• Human Rights Nepal
• Informal Settlements
• Nepal News
• Social Justice