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Psychosocial Aid Coordination Meeting |
PSYCHOSOCIAL WORKING GROUP
November 6th, 2001
AGENDA
1. Introduction by participants/adoption of
minutes.
2. Discussion on Dr. Kos` report and recommendations
3. Update on ongoing psychosocial response/ mobile teams/ leaflet
4. Coordination/ matrix
5. AOB
1. Introduction of new participants/adoption of
minutes.
Minutes of the last meeting were adopted; participants introduced themselves.
2. Discussion on Dr. Kos` report and recommendation
UNICEF highlighted again the most important issues from Dr. Kos` report
with special stress on the striking figures. It was mentioned that the
duration of displacement of Internally Displaced Persons should be monitored
since that has a great impact on the well being of the host families and
IDPs. The participants concluded that the report and the recommendations
from the report are very valuable and should be further developed, and
could be considered as basis for further planning for children and their
families. UNICEF expressed concern that on the matrix all activities seem
to be indicated to last only until the end of the year.
Therefore, it was decided to prepare a strategy paper to be used for fundraising
to continue the implementation of the psychosocial response.
3. Update on ongoing psychosocial response/ mobile
teams/ leaflet
It was mentioned that provision of humanitarian assistance should be integrated
with a psychosocial component. This is to prevent IDPs from taking medicines
to relieve the stress, fears and sleeping problems and to create awareness
and acknowledge the need for psychosocial support on top of provision
of materials related to existential needs. Also it was said that in all
activities organised for the IDPs and host families, activating and empowerment
of the IDPs in all the 34 ongoing psychosocial projects is key.
It was decided that Safe Childhood would prepare two
informational and basic leaflets for the IDPs including topics for helping
parents and children in addressing and overcoming problems related to
their fear. The distribution will be organised through mobile teams, different
organisations and health centers. It was considered that the leaflets
are an important helping tool and should be distributed in different communities
(in Skopje as well as in Tetovo and Kumanovo). The leaflets will be translated
into several languages.
Mobile teams will need more detailed information (about the material and
psychosocial help) which they can provide to the persons involved in their
psychosocial activities. The ARC leaflet will provide info on what kind
and where IDPs and host families can receive assistance. This will help
IDPs become active in giving themselves support. ARC called for agencies
to provide them with feedback on the number of leaflets they could use
and distribute in their projects to beneficiaries.
4. Coordination/ matrix
Future strategy plans and projects should be prepared. Donor interest
should be raised for the continuation of psychosocial projects after December
as well.
The importance of coordination among organisations remains a priority,
especially at the field level in order to meet all needs of the vulnerable
and to avoid overlap.
5. AOB
Recommendations:
The preliminary report of Dr. Kos could be seen as an
action point.
The psychosocial materials of all agencies that have
been printed and used as a methodology should be brought to the next meeting
for analysis and a decision about a common methodology, training programme
and literature to use in developing and implementing psychosocial support
programmes.
Representatives from the Ministry of Labour, the Ministry of Education
and the Ministry of Health are invited to attend the Psychosocial Working
group to inform themselves what this Group is doing and future directions
of activities.
Next Psychosocial Working Group Meeting will be
held on Tuesday 13 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
 Previous
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