Nepal flood: supporting families facing ambiguous loss

After the Bhotekoshi River flood in Nepal, rescuers found a 64-year-old woman alive eleven days after her family held a funeral for her, but around 5,300 people remain unaccounted for.

These families now grapple with “ambiguous loss”, the psychological distress of not knowing if a loved one is alive or dead. Mental health professionals Sujen Man Maharjan and Brandon Kohrt draw on their experience supporting people affected by Nepal’s past conflicts and disasters to suggest ways to help.

They observed that during and after the decade-long People’s War and the 2015 earthquake, providing both psychological and practical support was critical for those experiencing loss. They facilitated mothers’, wives’, and fathers’ groups where people could share their experiences and challenges. They also found that rituals, like symbolic funerals and prayers for safe return, were important for processing grief, but families should not be pressured to perform them before they are ready.

The authors also point out that navigating legal and financial issues is difficult without a death certificate, which in Nepal requires twelve years to obtain without a body. They suggest streamlining these processes and establishing one-stop support centres where families can access all necessary resources. They also advocate for training and compensating people who have experienced similar losses to become peer supporters, as these individuals can be as effective as professional counselors.

They recently observed similar programs in Nuwakot, Nepal, and believe a long-term, family-centered approach is essential to help those affected by the flood.