Refugees are building resilience to trauma, from one generation to the
next.



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In this era of COVID-19, most of us have experienced new
kinds of stress. Adults and kids are coping with separation from friends.
If we live in a family household, we may be adjusting to new routines at
home together. Perhaps we find ourselves in closer quarters, figuring out
ways to share resources of time and space (or internet bandwidth!). All of
these changes can have an effect on our well-being.

I see these same stresses affecting Syrian refugee families and host
communities, here in Jordan’s Azraq and Zaatari camps, where I work.
Lockdowns and school closures due to COVID-19 have added another layer of
isolation for families already living in uncertainty. One mother of eight
children says they are sharing a single mobile phone to access online
education. Young and old are missing out on social interaction.

My role is to provide creative ways for caregivers and children in our
refugee communities to connect, play and build positive relationships,
through what we call "psychosocial support programs."

[ [link removed] ][IMG]
Girls in Jordan from the film, Terror and Hope: The Science of Resilience.
Mercy Corps programs support the psychosocial health of refugee youth,
cultivating their ability to build connections with others through the
senses, language, sports, nature and art. (Photo: R. Bourke)
You probably know about Mercy Corps public health response in areas like
water and sanitation, or fighting infectious diseases (including Ebola and
now COVID-19). You may not know that a key part of our commitment to
public health is also our response to social needs. In places where
natural disaster or violent conflict have altered lives, our community
support programs bolster psychological security for children and families.

One reason this work is so important here and now is because of the shared
refugee experience of trauma, which often begins with the violent conflict
that forced them to flee their homes.

Research has shown that the effects of trauma can be passed down through
one generation to the next.

But by educating people about how their brains and bodies may react to
prolonged stress, they are empowered to move past the shame that can come
with not understanding our physical and emotional response. And by helping
individuals draw upon their own bravery and unique capabilities, we are
helping them to support their children too, and breaking the trauma cycle.

I was recently included in a documentary filmed here in our refugee camp —
it’s called [ [link removed] ]Terror and Hope: The Science of Resilience.

Free online screening of Terror and Hope,
June 14 – June 20

[ [link removed] ]Learn more ▸

In the film, one child trauma specialist (Alexandra Chen) observes how as
human beings our first response to an oncoming disease outbreak is to
immunize ourselves — when we can — to prevent the spread in any way we
can. Yet when there is a potentially stressful experience or situation up
ahead, we often do nothing to "immunize" ourselves against the deeply
damaging psychological impact of that stress.

The training we provide for parents and children in Jordan can provide
both healing from the effects of past trauma, as well as protection —
"immunization" — for future generations against trauma’s potentially
toxic impacts.

Mercy Corps has been working with families in the Syrian refugee camps
since they first opened, and continues to provide support for both basic
needs and long-term recovery. We attend to the immediate needs of
vulnerable communities with resources like clean water, soap or food,
while we also build the foundation for a safer, healthier future through
jobs, education and psychosocial support.

Facts about the Syrian refugee crisis:
• More than 6.7 million Syrians have been forced to flee their country
since 2011 and another 6.1 million have been driven from their homes
but remain trapped inside the country
• More than 139,000 have found sanctuary at the camps of Zaatari and
Azraq
• 80% of displaced Syrians are women and children
• PTSD incidence for Syrian refugees ranges from 36-62% for adults and
41-76% for children

Sources: UNHCR, and Syrian American Medical Society Foundation via
ReliefWeb
If you have recently made a gift to Mercy Corps, please know that your
generosity truly makes a difference in the lives of those that need it
most, in more than 40 countries across the world. Thank
you.

Sincerely,

[ Hend ]Hend

Hend Maaytah
Mercy Corps, Jordan

Since our work with youth in Jordan began, Hend has played a key role in
the design and establishment of Mercy Corps’ program model, providing
training and mentorship on the profound stress and attunement approach
with youth and adolescents across Jordan refugee and host communities.

COVID‑19 Update: Mercy Corps teams are working to help the world’s most
vulnerable people protect themselves against COVID‑19, meet immediate
needs and prepare for the devastating impact of economic shock that will
push people further into crisis. [ [link removed] ]You can help today by making a gift to
our COVID‑19 Resilience Fund.

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