With the recent increase in complex humanitarian disasters and major refugee flows, exposure to traumatic events by refugees has reached epidemic proportions worldwide. Notwithstanding this fact, the primary paradigm of assistance emphasizes exclusively the delivery of food, water, and shelter; a paradigm that has to date minimized unmet mental health needs. The changes in the nature of warfare, the intentional victimization of civilians, the betrayal by next-door neighbors all contribute to incidents that deeply traumatize the individual. If refugee persons are among the one percent of refugees resettled by UNHCR in a foreign country, further stress awaits them upon their arrival during the resettlement process. The Boston Center for Refugee Health and Human Rights is a collaboration of the Boston University Schools of Medicine and Public Health, in addition to a variety of clinical departments at Boston Medical Center. In 1999, we saw over seventy people from 27 countries who were victims of torture or their family members. A description will be given of the population served, and the challenges of providing care.
Learning Objectives: To learn about the characteristics of refugees and torture survivors who are seeking care To learn about the particular value of an integrated program which attempts to address the complex needs of this population
Keywords: Refugees, Refugees
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: Boston Center for Refugee Health and Human Rights
Boston, Mass
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.