On 8-9 June 2015, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) organized a training session for 30 members of staff from the Society for the Protection of Women against Abuse (SOPWA) in Abuja.
The training was provided with funding from the United States Government within the framework of the “Emergency Mental Health and Psychosocial support for affected population in North East of Nigeria” which IOM is implementing.

The training covered Basic Psychosocial Approach, psychological first aid (PFA) and the “Do not Harm” rule. The training also addressed how to approach issues around psychosocial well-being in a culturally sensitive and dignified manner. The participants in the trainings will be working with IDPs and communities affected by the North Eastern insurgency who are in Adamawa and Borno States, as well as the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
According to Barrister Ngozi Nwankwo, Head of SOPWA, “This training is valuable for the work we do with the IDPs.The content was very useful. While SOPWA has already been working with affected communities, the skills that the staff have gained will would serve them to be able to better assist IDPs in the field.”

SOPWA is a non-governmental organization that has already been providing counseling and psychological assistance to IDPssince the 2014. IOM has been providing psychosocial support to IDPs and communities affected by the conflict in north eastern Nigeria through mobile teams since the second half of 2014. However, the Organization has been working to further strengthen the capacity of local institutions and organizations, including the management of IDP camps to effectively provide psychosocial support.

For more information, please contact Luana Giardinelli, Project Manager, Psychosocial Support Project Tel: +234 (0) 706 702 6240 Email: lgiardinelli@iom.int