Network for Africa in Chad

Thousands of men, women and children who have fled the genocide in Darfur continue to re-live their nightmares in refugee camps in Chad. Few receive any counseling or psychological support. Their suffering and grief continues, as they struggle to make sense of what has happened to them.
A survey by the International Medical Corps found there were only 208 physicians, 38 pharmacists and 1, 381 nurses in all of Chad. There is a massive extra burden imposed of medical professionals by the ongoing war and the influx of refugees from neighbouring Sudan.

They are already overwhelmed by the need for basic emergency healthcare, and the psychological needs of traumatized people are low on the scale of priorities.

Refugees from war and genocide often suffer from depression and experience flashbacks, nightmares, disturbed sleep, and lack of concentration and feelings of low self-esteem, with a risk of suicidal impulses. Additionally, due to the atrocities they may have experienced, many find it hard to struggle through even the simplest daily tasks.

Basic counseling is vital to the hundreds of thousands of Darfuri refugees living in camps in Chad who have experienced untold atrocities. Being able to share their stories and move forward is vital to their recovery. We aim to address this need, creating a self-sustaining environment for peer counseling. We intend to replicate a programme, which trains lay people in post-trauma counseling.

Our model is based on Network 4 Africa’s successful work in Rwanda and Northern Uganda. Those participating in a series of sessions in Rwanda since December 2006 have reported a 100% improvement in their ability to handle the damaging emotional triggers they encounter in everyday life. The Rwandan project is itself based on the traditional “wise auntie” network found across Africa, in which people take their troubles to a trusted and wise community leader. By training wise aunties and uncles to be lay counselors, it is possible to offer support and comfort to people who would normally suffer in silence, without help or advice.

To prepare for training in the camps in Chad, our team has worked extensively with Darfuris in the UK, and with experienced psychologists and art therapists in the UK and the USA who have worked in Africa. The project will run over a two-year period, with monitoring on the ground supported by our local partner. The expert trainers, including two psychologists and four art therapists, will visit the camp twice a year, training an estimated four groups of 40 counselors.

Our trainee counselors will be given a small stipend to enhance their standing in the community. Following this, they will be qualified both to give counseling and to train others, allowing a cascade effect as coping skills and relaxation techniques are handed on. At the end of the two years, the initial group of 40 counselors will be ready to train others. We will then be able to replicate the project in neighbouring camps. Whilst the counselors are in training, they will be able to offer some basic therapy to fellow members of their community.

We are currently working in conjunction with CORD, our partner on the ground, www.cord.org.uk to determine which camps are suitable. CORD works with 80, 000 Sudanese refugees in Eastern Chad, and it offers people the chance to set-up small businesses, providing materials and training. CORD has also trained 450 refugee teachers to work with more than 20, 000 children in the IDP camps. With CORD’s help, we will have access to a suitable location and logistics such as Internet, a vehicle and translators.

The success of lay councilors will be monitored throughout the two-year training period, with the assistance of our local partner. In depth interviews will be carried out at the end of the training to assess the trainees’ confidence and aptitude in providing assistance to the community. A survey will assess how well the trainee councilors have provided the psychological assistance as needed.