IOM has mobilised eight psychologists, all of whom have extensive experience in dealing with vulnerable categories, in order to provide psychosocial support for those persons displaced by the floods. These psychologists will operate in 4 teams of 2; these teams will cover all areas have been affected by the floods and landslides in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The number of displaced persons in temporary accommodation facilities is over 1,500.

Support will initially be provided for up to three months, to provide the abovementioned number of displaced persons with initial assistance, namely psychological first aid, prior to follow-up interviews, and – when required – referral to the Centres for Mental Health, as per the cooperation established with the Ministries of Health (MoHs) and direct contact with Mental Health Centres (MHCs).

Initial assistance will be provided to displaced persons, and the intervention will reinforce the very-limited capacities of the Ministry of Defense/Armed Forces, as a significant proportion of the displaced persons are accommodated in Armed Forces barracks in Zenica and Tuzla. Among these locations, the intervention will serve to cover personnel capacity gaps of Mental Health Centres. In this regard, IOM psychologist will work closely with professionals of the MHCs in the field in order to reach and assist higher number of vulnerable population.

For the initial phase of the intervention, the total budget of the Project is USD 80,000.

For more information please contact: Edita Selimbegović, PR in the Bosnia and Herzegovina

tel. +387 33 293 713 Email eselimbegovic@iom.int