On October 18-19, Heartland Alliance International hosted the Second National Forum on Mental Health and Psychosocial Support in a Humanitarian Context, in collaboration with Colombia’s Ministry of Health and Social Protection, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), the World Health Organization’s Global Health Cluster, and the Colombian College of Psychologists (COLPSIC), and USAID.
The two-day Forum brought together local and international NGOs, government institutions, and UN agencies to engage in a productive dialogue about the humanitarian response to decades of armed conflict in Colombia. The first day was allocated to information-sharing through presentations by the various participating organizations, with time dedicated to gathering feedback from participants. On day two, participants formed four small groups in a working session dedicated to specific topics related to humanitarian action in Colombia. The goal of the workshop was to develop guidance and key actions, which will later be turned into recommendations for the participating organizations and other partners to implement an appropriate mental health and psychosocial response to the humanitarian crisis in Colombia.
The forum was a significant achievement for HAI and our partners, and we look forward to continuing the dialogue on how to support those in Colombia – and other places where HAI works – who are affected by conflict or human right violations.
