Location: Palestinian Territories - Nablus and Jenin, West Bank

Situation:

After the Israeli military offensive between 27 December 2008 and 18 January 2009, which killed more than 1,300 people, the humanitarian situation continues to deteriorate. The Israeli blockade prevents the  repair of the water network, as well as the reconstruction and supply of hospitals and health centres destroyed by the war. The health services are unable to overcome the effects of the crisis which is leading to a deterioration in the population's health.

Activities:

In order to improve mental healthcare, DOW supports two community medico-psychological centres (CCMP) in line with the Ministry of Health's national plan. This involves supporting the recruitment, training and supervision of medical and paramedic staff in Nablus and Jenin. DoW is also carrying out psycho-social activities for school  children, educational teams, parents' discussion groups and teachers in five villages in Nablus governorate. Since September, we have been supporting the Ministry of Education to take over these activities. In addition, a referral system is being introduced between schools, three primary healthcare centres in the villages and the Nablus CCMP, with the building of local capacity. As a result of the project around 40 service users a day receive medical and psychological support in each of the supported centres.

Outlook:

The activities in schools will be gradually handed over to the teachers and personalised psychosocial advice will be offered to children. The reinforcement of these primary health centres will enable them to offer listening, diagnosis and orientation of patients in order to improve the local provision of mental healthcare.