South Asian Earthquake

• Disaster Management and Psycho-social management  
  A two-day international seminar was inaugurated at the Fountain House in Pakistan on Saturday, 21 January 2006.

• 
  
• Urdu speaking volunteers required for a WHO-UNICEF project in Pakistan   

  Following the Kashmir earthquake, the WHO and the UNICEF have joined forces to provide training for local volunteers and personnel in a number of camps set up in Balakot and other areas most affected by the disaster. If you are interested in offering your time and expertise please read the attached job description. Further details of this and other volunteer work are available from the International Affairs Unit at the College.

• Pakistan In Need: rebuilding lives and communities  - 'rapid response' lunch time session at the Institute of Psychiatry, Monday 19 December

• Pakistan In Need: rebuilding lives and communities - 'rapid response' lunch time session at the Institute of Psychiatry, Monday 19th December
  Following the above meeting on earthquake relief held by International Mental Health at the Institute of Psychiatry on Dec 19th 2005, the BMJ have published an article this week entitled 'Rebuilding from the rubble' (D. Cohen (2006) Pakistan earthquake: Rebuilding from the rubble. BMJ vol. 332, page 10). The editor is hoping for as many rapid responses as possible, which can be written by visiting bmj.bmjjournals.com/ and by following 'read all current headlines'.

• BPPA - RCPsych Earthquake Trauma Relief Initiative  
  BPPA - British Pakistani Psychiatrists Association has established a community-focussed plan for psychological relief of victims of the earthquake on 8th October 2005. The first phase of establishing this cascading in pattern, new to Pakistan, community based service, with involvement from governmental organisations and NGOs, is already underway. If you would like to volunteer your expertise to the development of this project please register as a College volunteer by completing the form available here. The first two progress reports on this initiative are available below.
• • Report 1  

• Activity Report – Balakot – 27 October 2005  
• Activity Report – Lahore – 30 October 2005  
• Activity Report – Lahore – 3rd - 7th November 2005  
• Course In Trauma Psychology: Addressing the Needs of Traumatized Children; Karachi, Pakistan - November 7-8, 2005  
• Course In Trauma Psychology For Community Leaders, Government Officials, Physicians, Teachers, Mental Health Professionals, and Other Volunteers; Islamabad, Pakistan - November 9-11, 2005  
• “Village of Hope” initiative  
• Message board  
• Useful links