Working in contexts of war

Recent visits to Lebanon, Israel, and the Palestinian Territories have led to an increased determination to assist colleagues who are working in contexts of war and armed conflict.

So far, this work has occurred with a wide range of people involved in, and affected by, war:

• former child soldiers in Uganda (in partnership with REPSSI)

• refugee children in Australia who fled from conflict in the Sudan (see ‘The Team of Life’, p.11)

• Palestinian families who are living under occupation in Ramallah (in partnership with the Treatment and Rehabilitation Center for Victims of Torture), and Nablus (in partnership with Medecins du Monde)

• Israeli families who had survived rocket attacks by Hezbollah and who have lost family members in war (in partnership with colleagues from Qesem Center and Barcai Institute)

• community workers from Basra, Iraq (training workers from Basra, Iraq, in partnership with the International Rehabilitation Council for Torture Victims).

In conjunction with Lebanese colleagues, we have recently developed a ‘Checklist for social and psychological resistance’ which can be used with those who have survived bombings or other forms of military attack.

For more information

Denborough, D. (2008). Collective narrative practice: Responding to individuals, groups, and communities who have experienced trauma. Adelaide: Dulwich Centre Publications.