Kyrgyzstan’s Newly Displaced Face Acute Psychological Trauma
07/01/2010
Amidst the ethnic violence in Kyrgyzstan, International Medical Corps provides mental health services
June 29, 2010
From June 23 - 25, International Medical Corps' emergency response team interviewed and surveyed more than 200 people from the Uzbek, Kyrgyz and Russian communities in three districts heavily affected by the recent ethnic violence and displacement in the region. The results of the survey showed that 75-percent have significant psychosocial issues, possibly indicating Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. In fact, 96-percent of survey participants have requested psychosocial support.
As ethnic clashes beginning on June 10, 2010 in southern Kyrgyzstan left several hundred dead and thousands wounded, UN agencies estimated that an additional 400,000 people were displaced, with 100,000 fleeing to Uzbekistan. While a large number have since returned to their communities, many found their homes destroyed and their livelihoods ruined. Further, both those who fled and those who remained were left with severe mental trauma resulting from the events. With an objective to assess the needs of the internally displaced people (IDP) population, International Medical Corps conducted a rapid assessment in areas including the cities of Osh and Jalal Abad.
The majority of respondents surveyed were Uzbeks (around 75 percent), followed by 20 percent Kyrgyz, 5 percent Russians, and a small percentage of Tatars and others. Of the 200 respondents, 84.5 percent were female and 15.5 percent were male. Interviews were also conducted with District Health Officials and local health care providers, including staff from regional and district hospitals, as well as private clinics.
In addition to the 75 percent of respondents with serious psychosocial problems, another 62 percent suffer from changes in cognitive and analytical activity, namely attention deficit, memory loss and cognitive dysfunctions. Further, 82 percent exhibit emotional reaction disorders, while 81 percent suffer from grief-related depression and 97 percent suffer from anxiety. The survey demonstrated that the population affected by the conflict suffers from acute psychological issues requiring immediate assistance: extreme anxiety, fear for their future and feelings of uncertainty in life.
International Medical Corps also met with local health officials and providers to determine IDP needs as well as existing health capacity on the ground. While working alongside primary health providers, our staff and volunteers heard numerous accounts of sexual assault and gender-based violence. According to the community, these unfortunate events continue to take place as many families remain separated and women remain lacking the protection previously provided by family members, neighbors and a stable community. Local health officials recognize that there is a critical need to support the victims of this violence and to improve the ability of primary health care providers to identify and provide treatment.
It is imperative that we are able to provide adequate psychosocial support to the IDP community in Kyrgyzstan. This includes building the capacity of local health-care workers to recognize, refer and provide treatment and individual counseling within a community setting. In addition, support for the victims of gender-based violence (GBV) and the mechanisms to prevent future GBV cases need to be instituted. This includes training local health-care workers on prevention and response to GBV.
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Great Isue!!
I am interested and currently working on the issue of Mental Health In SOMALIA PRE- CIVIL WAR AND SINCE 1991- 2011
“THE RISK FACOTRS AND INCIDENCE OF SCHIZOPHRENIA IN SOMALIA FROM 1980-2010”
PLS KEEP ME POSTED ON ALL GLOBAL HEALTH ISSUES AND SECIALLY “MENTAL HEALTH IN DEVELOPING AND WAR-TORN COUNTERIES OF THE SOUTH”
BISCHARA
— Dr. Bischara ALI EGAL(LIRE) on 2011-10-08