VICTIMS OF WAR. The global intensification of violence aimed at civilians in conflict situations results in a colossal challenge for aid organizations. Survivors need more than medical emergency intervention and food provisioning. Many victims need psychological support and treatment in dealing with their traumatic experiences in order to regain the capability to care for themselves and their dependents. Psychological, social and human rights based interventions are required to facilitate the development of new and peaceful societal ways of living. There are different approaches that aim at supporting people and communities that suffer from traumatic stress for war. Not all of them are effective; some of them can even be harmful. There is a great demand for research and development of best practice interventions that are both scientifically based and culturally sensitive. Victims of war who suffer from psychological wounds due to traumatic events tend to remain silent about their past. They avoid talking about their experiences since remembering the traumatic event is painful, they fear that others cannot understand them. But many never forget their experiences and these are relived in nightmares and flashbacks. Outer silence and inner reliving engenders a speechless terror that hinders both individual and social adjustment after exposure to traumatic events. At the same time, testifying against human rights violations can be helpful for the individual, as well as the community, as it enables the sharing of pain and the construction of an empowered collective history. In this way communities may regain the power to demand the fulfillment of their human rights and justice. Building on this, work for peace and reconciliation can begin and victims of war can become survivors.
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