Promoting psychosocial support and trauma sensitive care for refugee children in The Netherlands; the role of NGO’s and foundations

Refugee children have been through a lot: having lived in stressful situations in their home country, being uprooted and losing their homes and sometimes family members during their flee to safety, and being as well as... [ view full abstract ]

Refugee children have been through a lot: having lived in stressful situations in their home country, being uprooted and losing their homes and sometimes family members during their flee to safety, and being as well as unsettling situations and all the unknown and uncertainty in their new country in their country of refuge after an often perilous journey.
As a consequence, persistent and chronic stress can cause refugee children to feel unsafe, insecure, experience social problems and having difficulties managing their emotions and behaviours.

Trustworthy, stable, and safe social relations, will help these children to feel reassured, safe, cared for and protected. Social support is an essential ingredient for recovery and building up resilience. In my plea I will discuss how trauma-sensitive communities and schools can make a notable difference in the lives of refugee children and other children who experience adversities. As CEO of Augeo, a Dutch Foundation, I’ll also take a closer look at the role of foundations and NGO’s in the current refugee situation and the way it is dealt with in the Netherlands.