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Psychosocial Aid Coordination Meeting |
PSYCHOSOCIAL WORKING GROUP
November 20th, 2001
AGENDA
1. Introduction by participants/adoption of minutes.
2. Update on ongoing situation
3. Update on ongoing psychosocial response/ mobile teams/ leaflet
4. Share and analyze existing psychosocial methodology/ training materials,
leaflets/ brochures, etc.
5. Mine awareness
6. Coordination at the community level/ Kumanovo/ Tetovo
7. AOB
1. Introduction of new participants/adoption of minutes.
· Minutes of the last meeting were adopted;
participants introduced themselves.
2. Update on ongoing situation
· UNICEF pointed out the increase in the tension
of the situation, especially in the crisis regions, as a result of events
last week. Therefore, the continued necessity of rapid psychosocial
response was stressed.
3. Update on ongoing psychosocial response/ mobile teams/
leaflet
· The For A Happy Family organization from
Tetovo shared information from a recent survey they had conducted, in
which the striking figure of 90% of children suffering from stress and
trauma appeared. The same organization considers that this figure concerns
not only the children but their families as well. The stress is increased
also either by the excessive interventions by the police or by their
absence in the matter.
· The Faculty of Philosophy organized a seminar for teachers,
pedagogues, psychologists and directors in order to provide them with
special training in dealing with the stress situations and stress reduction,
and helping children overcoming certain traumatic experiences. That
seminar included 100 teachers from primary and secondary schools. The
next seminar is going to be held in Kumanovo this weekend and they highlighted
the necessity of holding further seminars of a similar nature in future.
The agenda for the seminar included: workshops, lectures in how to deal
with stress and trauma and further instructions. The positive outcome
is that teachers from different nationalities cooperated and worked
together and were very grateful for the seminar.
The Faculty of Philosophy also considers that in the future the mobile
teams as well as social centers should be included in this project.
· The mobile teams shared data from the field concerning the
psychosocial state of the IDPs. The general symptoms exhibited by IDPs
include disappointment, depression and grief. Also cumulative tiredness
and sleeping problems.
· Safe Childhood operates with 7 mobile teams in Collective Centers
and Host Families. They pointed out that it is easier to reach people
in Collective Centers, in which they work with groups of different age
and individually in how to help themselves and the others.
They also pointed that it is more difficult to reach people in Host
Families and that path should be further opened.
In the Kumanovo Collective Centers there is a greater need of materialitems
for the children.
4. Share and analyze existing psychosocial methodology/
training materials, leaflets/ brochures, etc.
· ICRC made a recommendation for a more thorough
analysis of people who are in real need. This is because of the restricted
capacity of the mobile teams.
· Several organizations shared their methodology in working with
the IDPs including both group therapy and individual work. Also the
methods and techniques of The Faculty of Philosophy could be of great
use in future work. They suggest interactive methodology, music and
art techniques, workshops for activation and relaxation of the IDPs.
There should be evaluation questionnaires included in order to recognize
and identify the problems.
· There is a summary of materials for training people available
in the UNICEF office. Every organization should submit a short report
of their needs in the future, as well as reports on their methods and
techniques developed so far that could be used by other sectors.
· There are leaflets under preparation by Safe Childhood dealing
in a general way with how parents can assist both themselves and their
children to cope with trauma and stress, and these should be distributed
as widely as possible.
· NATO has had some delay in producing and distributing the IDP
brochures for distribution in Skopje because of the recent situation.
However, that should be resolved by the end of this week.
5. Mine awareness
· ICRC conducted a campaign on Mine awareness
and UNICEF is going to help in this area. There is some valuable information
on this issue provided by The Red Cross and certain information about
the level of risk in certain regions can be reached in the UN Mine Action
Office at the UNICEF office, Skopje.
6. Coordination at the community level/ Kumanovo/ Tetovo
· Because of the situation NGOs from Kumanovo
and Tetovo cannot attend regularly the meetings. However, those organizations
are very active in their areas and should be further included and consulted
on certain issues. More focused meetings should be organized in those
areas. It is noted that ARC hosts a weekly community services meeting
in Kumanovo and should be contacted for details if NGOs wish to attend.
7. AOB.
· An overall response from the NGOs and
the State Bodies is expected.
· The organizations need more recent databases, especially information
on areas of return, where are the mobile teams operating and who is
available, who is the leader of which sector, etc.
· Several of the larger international NGOs are representing local
NGOs and those organizations in charge should provide all useful information
gained from Sectoral meetings in Skopje to local organizations in local
meetings.
Next Psychosocial Working Group Meeting will be held
on Tuesday 27 November, 13:00 at the UNICEF Conference Room.
Please contact Mr. Kerry L. Neal, Consultant, 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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