The European Commission has signed an agreement with the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies to contribute 7 million euro to fund mental health and psychosocial support to refugees from Ukraine, Commissioner for Health Stella Kyriakides announced.
“With the invaluable support and expertise of the Red Cross and partner NGOs, we are committed to providing essential services to refugees arriving in the EU such as psychological first aid and referrals to specialised services where necessary, which will contribute significantly to the prevention and treatment of mental health challenges,” Kyriakides said.
The agreement aims to support refugees who have experienced major mental health issues and psychological trauma by providing psychological first aid and assessment, as well as longer-term mental health and psychosocial support, in their own languages.
The contract, financed by the EU4Health programme, covers action to strengthen the capacities of Red Cross staff and volunteers, first line responders and other professionals in five EU countries (Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania, the Czech Republic) and will run for 24 months.
“People escaping shelling, living with war wounds, or worrying about their loved ones in conflict zones need specific psychological support as they start to rebuild their lives,” Kyriakides said.
Source: Cyprus News Agency