International Work - Israel Trauma Coalition

International Work - Tikkun Olam

Based on years of cultivated experience in trauma, ITC is often called in to emergency situations worldwide for support.

In the past year, we have responded to international emergencies ranging from the emotional and societal aftermath of the most powerful earthquake to ever hit Japan to supporting Jordanian NGOs coping with Syrian refugees.

Minimal, Flat World Map with Round Corners. Includes ALL COUNTRIES

Recent ITC Delegations

European Union

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The past several years have seen growing threats to European Jewish communities. Nearly every day there are expressions of anti-Semitism somewhere in Europe.

As a critical first step in identifying the particular challenges of European Jews today, and strengthening community resilience in the face of adversity, the Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC) conducted a multi-day international conference in Barcelona. Our Director, Talia Levanon, shared Israel's experience on community, psycho-social preparedness and building culturally tailored response systems within communities.

Ukraine

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November 2013 saw peaceful protests against the Ukrainian government. Soon, however, tension escalated and in February, 2014, protesters and police clashed. Approximately 82 people were killed and more than 1,100 people were injured.

In partnership with JDC, and with financial backing from the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago and JDC, seven missions were sent to Ukraine in 2014 and 2015; members were from CSPC, SELAH, ERAN, NATAL and AMCHA. Each trained a group of local professionals and volunteers who provide care for citizens exposed to ongoing stress. Part of each workshop was dedicated to providing the helpers with self-care tools and resources.

Japan

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In March of 2011, Japan witnessed the most powerful earthquake to ever hit its shores. The earthquake triggered tsunami waves up to 40.5 meters (133 ft.) and caused level seven meltdowns at three nuclear reactors. More than 15,000 people were killed and thousands more were injured. The entire local population suffered loss, trauma and anxiety.

In partnership with and with the financial support of JDC, we sent experts in trauma and resilience to support hundreds of professional and volunteer caregivers who work tirelessly with victims in the affected areas. The teams were from CSPC and AMCHA. Multiple programs spanning the years 2011 to 2014 have covered their ability to diagnose and treat trauma, tools designed to foster feelings of competence and hope, and guidance in self-care. One thousand professionals were trained and 70 of them went on to become master trainers.

France

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The murderous Hyper Cacher attack shocked the French Jewish community to its very core and made it undeniably clear that an elevated level of both preparedness and response are required.

In partnership with JDC and the UJA Federation of New York, our Director, Talia Levanon, met with leaders from three Jewish welfare organizations to discuss needs and solutions. The result of this visit was a decision to collaborate with OSE (Oeuvre de Secours aux Enfants) on training French psychologists and clinicians in creating trauma interventions, planning for a Resilience Center in Paris, and defining roles in routine times and emergency. Eighty clinicians were trained, a resilience center was created and a group of 15 psychologists were trained to work in the education system. Participating teams were from CSPC and AMCHA.

Jordan

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Jordan is under great duress as a result of the wave of human casualties from the unending Syrian crisis. The Syria Civil War, which began in March 2011, led to the flight of more than 3 million refugees; over 1.5 million of them arrived in Jordan. Jordanian organizations have made tremendous effort to ensure humane living conditions for the refugees with an emphasis on food, medical care and educational frameworks for children. With medical caregivers treating up to 250 traumatized refugees a day, they quickly suffer from burnout and secondary traumatization.
In partnership with the Jewish Coalition for Syrian Refugees in Jordan, we reached out to a local NGO providing aid for the refugees in order to conduct classes for Jordanian caregivers, both in Jordan and in Israel. Skills learned focused on psycho trauma, professional tools for coping with stress, anxiety and grief, and the delicate balance of self-care. We held one mission in Jordan and two in Israel. Participating teams were from AMCHA, NATAL, CSPC, MAHUT Israel and ERAN.

Philippines

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In November 2013, the Philippines were hit by Typhoon Yolanda, the most powerful storm to make landfall in recorded history. Yolanda killed over 6,300 and affected 1,473,251 families.

In partnership with the JDC, we sent missions to Cebu Island and the surrounding area to train teams, professionals and volunteers to assist the community in coping with emergencies and trauma and avoid personal burnout as a result of their work.

We are also currently delivering psychosocial training sessions to local NGOs covering basic psychosocial concepts and emergency preparedness in the community.

Nepal

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In April 2015, life changed forever in Nepal when a 7.8 magnitude earthquake
struck. It killed over 9,000, injured over 23,000 and shook the lives of at least 8 million people, physically and psychologically.

In partnership with JDC, MAHUT Israel and AMCHA, we dispatched culturally sensitive teams to Nepal in order to help earthquake survivors process the experience and learn skills for coping and healing. The main goal of the activities was to impart knowledge to local leaders and professionals, empowering them to disseminate it with the wider population. Activities included using narrative and debriefing to gain a sense of order, continuity and clarity, as well as nonverbal techniques intended to impart a sense of relaxation and security.

The Nepal initiative was made possible by the support of JDC and the Glazer Foundation.

Future Plans

As we look to the future, unfortunately we see that our knowledge is becoming more and more critical: this year alone, the world has experienced multiple suicide bombings in Paris and London and terrorist groups actively and consistently threatening Western nations. Israel’s reality has become our shared worldwide reality.

We deploy needs mapping, emergency protocol and training in a world growing ever more turbulent.

צור קשר

02-6722618 | info@itc-office.org.il

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