Post-tsunami programme
Sewalanka expanded its existing core psychosocial program from conflicted affected communities to incorporate those affected by the tsunami. The new program examines the social dimensions of the disaster; stress, depression and trauma, and social ills such as violence, drug and alcohol abuse.
Activities have taken place in all tsunami-affected districts and are supported principally by Helvetas, IOM and Concern. These included:
| – | Monthly trainings (until Dec 05) to Sewalanka field staff, and staff of external organisations in each district (North/ East – from May; South – from July) |
| – | Appointment of one focal person and one volunteer per district |
| – | Identification of psychosocial networks and referral points in each district |
| – | Targeted psychosocial interventions in each district, including formation/strengthening of youth groups in Sewalanka camps (south); organisation of cultural events; co-facilitation of community psychosocial coordination meetings (Kalutara) |
Trainings completed
| – | Training-of-trainers (TOT) workshop by National Council for Mental Health in Sinhala in Colombo, and by Shanthiham in Tamil in Jaffna |
| – | Two training programs (Batticaloa and Matara) by Meth Methura Foundation to demonstrate techniques to cope with trauma. |
| – | Funny How, TOT in introductory Circus Skills and Performance Techniques in Galle and Hambantota, total 58 participants. |
Planned trainings
| – | Two-day Post-Tsunami Trauma Counselling Workshop by Chartered Management Institute UK, Sri Lanka Branch with the Management Club, three participants in Batticaloa |
| – | Workshop on “Psychosocial work in the Tamil Language” for two participants from Mannar and Vavuniya by the Psychosocial Support Programme.uma. |
>> For further information tsunami-related or core psychosocial programs please contact:
Ms. Tamara Curtis on 024) 222 1354
