Psychosocial Support in Middle East and North Africa

The MENA Red Cross Red Crescent Psychosocial Network allows exchange and support among the National Societies in the region. More information on the network will soon follow. In the meanwhile, you can contact the Naglaa Rashwan, MENA Regional Psychosocial Coordinator: naglaa.rashwan@ifrc.org.

Egypt train crash: volunteers provide support
The date of 21 August 2006 is etched on the young minds of one group of Egyptian Red Crescent volunteers. At 6.30am on the Sunday morning in the Nile Delta, 20 kilometres north of Cairo, two trains collided. One of them derailed and overturned; 58 people died and a further 140 were injured. As soon as the news came through about the crash, the Egyptian Red Crescent’s trained local volunteers made their way to the scene, offering first aid and psychosocial support to the victims of the crash.
Read more on the International Federation web site

Psychosocial response to Bam earthquake
After the earthquake in Bam, Iran, 26 December 2003, psychosocial support activities were immediately started. The earthquake, which measured 6.5 on the Richter scale, claimed around 30,000 lives, left about 30,000 injured and an estimated 75,000 homeless. Activities were quickly organised to allow children and adults to talk about their experiences.
Read more on the Federation web site