Started in 2006 End: Ongoing program

Psychosocial Program Description:

The recent conflict in Lebanon has had a devastating impact on the country and its people. 15,000 building unites were completely and partially destroyed in southern parts of the country and city. Over 1,100 people were killed and 4,000 wounded. A third of all have been children. Much of the country's infrastructure has been destroyed with over million people being displaced. People fleeing the conflict especially in the south sought refuge with family and friends and others in safer areas, but up to 100,000 found shelter in collective buildings, schools, commercial and residential car parks, and public gardens. Ironically, more than 4,500 Lebanese people and Palestinian refuges fled to shelter in Palestinian camps over Lebanon. Around half of them were accommodated in the refugee camps in the cities of Sidon and Tyre. Children and women have borne most of the psychological impact of the conflict. They witnessed the deaths of other children and close relatives, saw their homes and neighborhoods destroyed, experienced the fear of living under bombardment and siege without food and medicine, and have been uprooted from their homes. This project responds to the needs of some of these children, their parents and teachers to deal with the negative impact of the conflict and the effects on their wellbeing – manifest in traumatic stress disorders such as fear, emotional detachment, nervousness, sleep disturbance, bed wetting, memory difficulties, concentration difficulties, social avoidance, violent behaviour, outbursts and guilt.

The project responds to the needs in south of Lebanon to deal with the negative impact of the conflict and the effects on their wellbeing – manifest in traumatic stress disorders.

There is need to create and work on understandable environment on reactions to conflict from developmental perspective. i.e. Typical reactions of young children (0-5 years approximately) – Children (6-12 years approximately), etc.

Psychosocial Program Objectives:

Overall objective:

Improving the psychosocial, mental and well being of traumatized Palestinian & Lebanese children and women

Program Objectives:

1. Response to the urgent need of Psychosocial intervention in order to reduce the effects of war, the number of traumatized Palestinian and Lebanese children and women in 10 camps and 4 Lebanese villages (Koulaileh, Majdel Zoun, Borj El Shamali, & Sreefa).
2. Improving staff wellbeing in dealing of traumatized children and women.
3. Capacities and ability supporting therapy groups of staff
4. Reducing the number of traumatized children and women by the cluster bombs.
5. Improving the capacities and sills of local staff and volunteers.
6. Response to humanitarian needs of returnee Lebanese, and Palestinian hardship cases and families.

Psychosocial Program Activities:

1- 1500 children, will be integrated in interaction groups focus on drawing, painting, craft workshops, story telling, singing groups, theater performance, drama games, puppet shows and sport groups of those:

• 600 Lebanese children have received 5 days/week psychosocial activities. During four days (Mon-Thur.) the activities are introduced during the breaks of scholastic days. Friday, the day off, children have received outdoor activities that included trips, visits to Palestinian children in the camps, theater etc.
• 900 Palestinian children have received weekly groups of interactions and activities.
• The age of the children ranges between 6-16 years old.
• High traumatized children have referred to psychologist.

2- Educational and awareness raising workshops for 500 women (half/half Lebanese and Palestinian) on the importance of mental health, dealing with trauma, child and women's rights have been carried out during one year.

3- 10 Support, speak up and therapy groups, half/half, women and children from both communities have carried out each three months by psychologist.

4. At least 5 therapy groups for AN and other local NGOs with 12-15 participants conducted once each three months, and according to the needs and demand.  

5- 600 children and members from Lebanese local community received training on recognition and dealing with cluster bombs.

6- 1000 Aid Race Game, mainly on Cluster bombes produced and distributed over the schools, families and local community.

7- 35 local volunteers from both communities will be trained on psychosocial intervention, identification of traumatized children and women, types of trauma, and referring system. The training is carried on three phases: a- the basic training, b- the ongoing training c- the follow up training, and for the whole year.

8- 12 local volunteers attending ToT training of psychosocial intervention and activities. half of those are Lebanese and half are Palestinians.

9- 1250 Lebanese and Palestinian children will receive stationary kits, 750 children will receive baby cloths, 750 will receive children cloths, 1500 bag of diapers, and 700 patients will receive essential drugs.