Psychosocial Aid Coordination Meeting

PSYCHOSOCIAL WORKING GROUP
October 30th, 2001


Participants:

Ms. Mayke Huijbregts, UNICEF (Chair)
Ms. Sanja Frkovic, UNICEF
Mr Radomir Gelevski, SOS Kumanovo
Mr. Filip Georgievski, SOS Kumanovo
Mr. Alija Nehalj, El-Hilal
Mr. Florim Ademi, El Hilal
Mr. Antoni Novotni, Safe Childhood
Ms Hhane Kreshova, FAW
Mr. Stojan Andonov, Happy Childhood
Ms. Vladanka Andreeva, OCHA
Ms. Burbuqe Halili, Danish Refugee Council
Ms. Maja Suslevska, Safe the Children UK
Ms. Silvana Onceva, IFRC/ MRC
Mr. Ioonnis Diangelukis, European Perspective
Ms. Andromahi Naumovska, CESVI


AGENDA

1. Introduction by participants/adoption of minutes.
2. Presentation of Dr. Kos' psychosocial analysis of IDP survey
3. Discussion on Dr. Kos' recommendations
4. Update on ongoing psychosocial response/ mobile teams/ leaflet
5. Coordination/ matrix
6. Winterisation
7. AOB

1. Introduction of new participants/adoption of minutes.

Minutes of the last meeting were adopted; participants introduced themselves.

2. Presentation of Dr. Kos' psychosocial analysis of IDP survey

UNICEF presented the outcome of the vulnerability assessment and reiterated its gratitude for the participation of the assessment teams. The quantitative and qualitative analysis of the assessment revealed concern for the effects of the conflict on displaced and host family populations. The reports, prepared by a UNICEF consultant, can be shared further with other agencies, NGOs and government counterparts.

3. Discussion on Dr. Kos' recommendations

El Hilal concluded that the report and recommendations from the report are very valuable, especially for NGOs to take into account whilst planning their activities. El Hilal reiterated that now activities have to be organised also in places for returnees and remainees and continuing support should be provided to IDPs.

UNICEF highlighted several recommendations from the report such as the importance of provision of material and stipends to IDPs and host families. Also to cause worry was the revelation that many IDPs do not recognise their own psychosocial problems and use over-the-counter drugs to release stress and to sleep better. IDPs and host families are mainly repeating their call for need of material and financial support. In addition, the situation of IDPs needs to continuously be monitored since the duration of the IDPs stay within collective centres or in host families has impact on the psychosocial well being of the IDP. It was recognised that through mobile teams, NGOs and focus groups, assessment should continue especially in conflict affected areas where the initial assessment did not take place due to security restrictions.

The Forum of Albanian Women stated that IDPs in Tetovo were complaining that besides support from the Macedonian Red Cross and El Hilal they had not received any support.

4. Update on ongoing psychosocial response/ mobile teams/ leaflet

SOS Kumanovo presented an outline of their planned project with 8 mobile teams as well as Safe Childhood about ongoing psychosocial outreach programmes in Aracinovo, Brnjarci, Gjorge Petrov, Cair, Gazi Baba and IDPs in collective centres through workshops with children and their parents. Safe Childhood recognised that it is important to share and provide something to IDPs and host families, remainees or returnees in combination with the psychosocial support, which again emphasises the importance of material aid.

5. Coordination/ matrix

An updated matrix was shared and is enclosed with these minutes. Currently 34 projects related to psychosocial support are coordinated with the matrix and can be discussed at the Psychosocial Working Group. UNICEF supports NGOs, institutions and others, not only to coordinate at the PWG but also to use the matrix as a tool to contact each other and to strengthen coordination at the field level so all rights and needs of beneficiaries in need are being met. El Hilal remarked that due to lack of coordination and security in conflict affected areas, needs and rights or remainees have not been met sufficiently and requested to put more priority on those areas and persons in need now.

6. Winterisation

Winterisation is being coordinated in the host family working group; firewood and textbooks came back as continuous requests from the IDPs.

7. AOB

Recommendations for short term intervention by Dr. Anica Kos:

  • To develop organized activities for children in collective centers and in neighborhoods with a high number of IDPs;
  • To develop and extend activities of mobile teams;
  • To provide training for outreach workers in mobile teams (including anti-burnout programs);
  • To conduct discussion groups with children on psychosocial problems (e.g. fear, sleeping problems) and for parents;
  • To develop and distribute leaflets about treatment for these problems for parents and children of different ages;
  • To start or continue psychosocial activities in schools;
  • To provide some literature for teachers;
  • To activate IDPs to volunteer in various activities;
  • To monitor the development of the situation.

Next Psychosocial Working Group Meeting will be held on Tuesday 6 November, 13:00 at the UNICEF Conference Room.

Please contact Mayke Huijbregts, Child Protection Project Officer or Silvana Boskovska, Child Protection Programme Assistant for any further information.

UNICEF Skopje; III Makedonska Udarna Brigada bb; 1000 Skopje
Tel: 464-911



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