1. A COMMUNITY BASED AND SCHOOL BASED PSYCHOSOCIAL PROGRAM FOR CHILDREN IN IRAQ Vera Remškar Executive Director, Foundation “TOGETHER”, Slovenia 12/2/2015Foundation TOGETHER ANNUAL CONFERENCE OF HUMANITARIAN AID PARTNERS OF THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION "IMPLEMENTING HUMANITARIAN AID IN THE FIELD" BRUSSELS, 10-11 DECEMBER 2009

2. OUR PRESENCE Regions, where we are present: Bosnia and Herzegovina Serbia Kosovo Macedonia North Ossetia Allania Chechnya Iraq 12/2/2015Foundation TOGETHER

3. PROJECT IN IRAQ “PSYCHOSOCIAL SUPPORT TO CHILDREN, FAMILIES AND TEACHERS IN IRAQ” 2003 – 2009 12/2/2015Foundation TOGETHER

4. Started in 2003 on the initiative of the Slovene and Austrian Ministers for Foreign Affairs in the frame of Human Security Network. From the year 2003 until 2006 financed by Slovene Government and ADA Since 2007 by Slovene Government. It started in the region of Babylon, in the year 2004 extended to the region of Karbala and Baghdad. In 2008 extended to Ainajaf. Implemented by the Foundation “TOGETHER” in partnership with local partner organizations: - Local Network for the Psychosocial Help to Children of Babylon (Babylon) - Iraqi Human Relief Organization (Baghdad)

5. 12/2/2015Foundation TOGETHER

6. WORKING WITH INTERNALLY DISPLACED FAMILIES -Our research on internally displaced families showed that majority of children, aged 8-15 years, suffer from various severe psychosocial problems and disorders. -Meetings with 4000 internally displaced families along Babil. -Religious leaders, later followed by the government officials, embraced the project’s aim to provide financial aid for extremely poor families. -Public awareness about the problem of child protection inside the internally displaced families was raised by the 2 radio shows and subsequent increased media covering. -Our efforts resulted and media coverage resulted in 21 children re-entering school in the Abu Garak region. 12/2/2015Foundation TOGETHER

7. IN THE PERIOD FROM 2003 – 2009: -Directly included in the trainings: 110 local mental health professionals 70 primary mental health workers More than 2.000 teachers More than 3.500 parents More than 250 schools, including over 20.200 children 30 primary health care centres INCLUDES CRITICAL MASS OF ENTITIES WHICH MEANS IT HAS AN IMPACT ON THE COMMUNITY THE MOST SUSTAINABLE AND WIDELY SPREAD COMMUNITY BASED PSYCHOSOCIAL PROGRAM IN IRAQ

10. Child physical abuse due to ADHD Child Abuse due to ADHD

13. IMPROVING SCHOOL INFRASTRUCTURE The quality of water and sanitation remains very poor, a factor known to greatly facilitate cholera contamination and other diseases. In Iraq, it is often the case that rural schools have only one or two toilets for all the pupils (even 500). Experience has shown that long term-prevention of cholera and other diseases depends on access to safe water and adequate sanitation to prevent exposure and interrupt transmission. 12/2/2015Foundation TOGETHER

16. COMMUNITY CENTER FOR CHILDREN IN BABIL The focal point of organizing and implementing outreach activities in the region of Babil & Karbala Place of implementing workshops for children, women and parents 12/2/2015Foundation TOGETHER

18. Babil Community Center Activities

19. Mr Kassim Al Yaseri Social worker Babil Community Center

20. 12/2/2015Foundation TOGETHER

22. HUMANITARIAN WORK OF MEDICINE STUDENTS Students of the Faculty of Medicine are visiting families with handicapped children and children with severe psychological illness and disorders (very stigmatized and therefore isolated from the community life). Students provide medical care for them on voluntary basis in the frame of the project. 12/2/2015Foundation TOGETHER

23. 12/2/2015Foundation TOGETHER

24. 12/2/2015Foundation TOGETHER

25. WORKING WITH THE ROMA POPULATION The Roma were before stigmatized and in constant danger by the genocide of the Muslim militia because of their lifestyle and occupation. An inquiry showed the following problems of the Roma: – Poverty – Unemployment – Poor housing – Physical and emotional violence against them The project raised awareness on the subject of children and human rights and first steps are made toward the reduction of hostility and increasing the publics acceptance of the Roma and their culture. Project shall continue with visits to the Roma groups and their areas Our Iraqi partners are put in charge of including the Roma children in the school system. 12/2/2015Foundation TOGETHER

26. 12/2/2015Foundation TOGETHER

27. ACCOMPLISHMENTS Human and other resources are activated. Professional and school based infrastructure is developed. Philosophy and practical models of the program are locally accepted, spread and rooted in the community. The combination of project based work and voluntary work is supporting the process of solving various issues that are faced by the community. WE ARE DEVELOPING AN ENVIRONMENT FOR A SUSTAINABLE SOLUTION OF THE TRAUMAS IN THE REGION THROUGH HUMANITARIAN WORK. 12/2/2015Foundation TOGETHER

28. CHALLENGES How to incorporate the existing programs with other existing activities such as health, social support. (Coordination with governmental and other Non-Governmental organizations). Measuring the long terms effects of the psychosocial programs. Extension of program and activities to other areas with great needs for such programs. Increasing the solidarity and voluntary work amongst Iraqian professionals and students. 12/2/2015Foundation TOGETHER

29. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION! 12/2/2015Foundation TOGETHER