Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) has become a growing priority in emergencies and disasters not only for the Asia-Pacific region but globally. As disasters continue to hit countries, there is a growing need and realization of addressing and improving the neglected cluster of psychological support of populations at risk. The lack of a multi-sectoral, inter-agency framework that enables effective coordination and collaboration among partners during emergencies is an identified gap, which leads to significant inefficiencies, duplication of efforts and waste of resources.

 

The forum is organized by Asian Disaster Preparedness Center (ADPC) in coordination with the Center for Crisis Psychology in Norway and Thammasat University in Thailand, and made possible through the support of the Royal Government of Norway. The expected output of the conference is to identify “gaps and bridges” to address challenges experienced by stakeholders dealing with psychosocial support in emergencies, exchange lessons learned to foster and build regional resilience and establish a Regional Coordinating Body to take the lead in raising awareness and advancing MHPSS across the region.

 

The conference is an opportunity and avenue for subject matter experts from the Center for Crisis Psychology of Norway, the School of Psychology of the University of New South Wales in Australia, representatives from the World Health Organisation, UNICEF and other UN agencies, government organizations, NGOs and INGOs, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, and academia in the region to come together and address gaps in psychosocial support in emergencies in Asia. Representatives and key organizational leaders from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Indonesia, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Vietnam will collaborate and share recommendations on building resilience on MHPSS in the region.