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The war is over, but kids still suffer. |
ACT International now assists the population with treatment for their panic, fear and distress. It is the new supplement to people in crisis, psychosocial programs.
The Israeli day-and-night bombardment of the Palestinian population caused a massive destruction of livelihoods, and it spread fear and panic. People had to evacuate their homes and stay in streets for long hours exposed to further danger, or stay with relatives.
Many suffered from psychological disorders, aggressive behavior, many nightmares; some people can’t sleep. There are also serious risks for 40,000 pregnant women in Gaza. Stress, trauma, and poor nutrition could result in life threatening complications along with silent death and injuries for such a population.
Burdened children
Eight out of ten Palestinian children suffer from behavioral problems, increasing level of violence and sleeping problems. They feel fear and anxiety, and struggle to concentrate. Those Palestinian children who experience armed conflict carry the heavy emotional, social, and spiritual burdens associated with death, separation from relatives and loss of parents, attack and victimization, destruction of homes and communities, economic ruin, and disruption of the normal patterns of living.
After the end of the Israeli operation, many Palestinians have been homeless and remain with host families due to the extensive attacks. The host families are overstretched and face shortages of food, non-food items, water and electricity.
Caring for the Minds
Members of ACT International have included psychosocial treatment in the assistance to the population of Gaza. But the operation is not over. There are few therapists. Now ACT has started operation, TOT, Train the Teachers.
Paivi Muma, has been recruited as ACT psychosocial adviser, and is working with ACT staff in the streets and in the hospitals. She has organized the training of them into scientific methods for this very specialized niche between medicine and psychology.
Within a few weeks of workshops Gaza saw 120 new psychosocial workers. They are now able to identify mental health disorders signs and symptoms. And they now know how to deal with these symptoms.
There is a team working on translating a text book in mental health in Arabic in addition to ACT psychosocial guidelines. Trainers do it in Arabic for their staff that they are going to train later after they get the training.
| DanChurchAid in the Middle East |
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| Read about our work in the West Bank/Gaza |
Action by Churches Together (ACT) International is a global alliance of churches and related agencies working to save lives and support communities in emergencies worldwide.
ACT International works in Gaza through members:
Norwegian Church Aid
DanChurchAid
Near East Council of Church/Department on Service to Palestinian Refugees
International Orthodox Christian Charities and YMCA
East Jerusalem YMCA