Psychosocial services
Addressing the psychosocial needs of populations affected by crises is now a prominent concern in international humanitarian assistance carried out by the International Federation and the Red Cross and Red Crescent National Societies. All psychosocial support programmes should meet the following criteria:

- Interventions should be based on participation of communities;

- Basic needs have to be met first and protective measures put in place;

- Access to accurate and relevant information should be ensured;

- Assessments should be carried out in partnership with communities to understand and reflect local dynamics and vulnerabilities;

- Cultural sensitivity is essential in designing and implementing programmes;

- Humanitarian actors should coordinate their interventions;

- Interventions should give priority to people in the most vulnerable situations.