Hosts: Swedish Red Cross, Danish Red Cross, and International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies
Languages: English
Where: room 7/8
Refreshments and sandwiches will be served 20 minutes prior to the event
Description:
Armed conflicts and violence give rise to great mental health and psychosocial challenges among millions of men, women, boys and girls around the world. The humanitarian impact is extensive; not only affecting the individuals directly but also whole communities, populations and societies. Torture and other forms of ill-treatment including sexual violence; harsh conditions in detention; participation in hostilities; witnessing acts of barbarism, losing or not knowing the fate of loved ones, displacement – all factors generating psychological distress.
While needs are currently increasing, mental health and psychosocial needs are still not a priority in the field of humanitarian intervention. To improve humanitarian responses to mental health and psychosocial needs in contexts of armed conflict and violence, better understanding of the challenges is necessary.
This side event will explore how the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement and the States party to the Geneva Conventions could better address psychological effects of armed conflicts and violence.
What are the current challenges relating to mental health and psychosocial wellbeing caused by armed conflict and violence?
How can the Red Cross Red Crescent Movement and the States party to the Geneva Conventions work together?