From 1 till 15 August 2024 Tajikistan National Mine Action Center, OSCE Programme Office in Dushanbe

From 1 till 15 August 2024, Tajikistan National Mine Action Center with financial support of the OSCE Programme Office in Dushanbe organized two-weeks summer rehabilitation camp for victims of landmines and explosive remnants of war in the recreation zone of the National Bank of Tajikistan situated Guliston city, Sugd region.

In the result 40 landmine/ERW survivors and family members of survivors accompanying them (31 men and 9 women) from remote mine-affected districts received rest and rehabilitation, improved general health and enhanced their knowledges and social-integration skills in Guliston city, Sugd oblast.

Among participants 31 have established degrees of disability (17 survivors - 2 degree of disability, two – 3-d degree and 12 –have 1-st degree of disability). 9 (nine) survivors had severe form of disability and required constant assistance and support from accompanying person.

The summer workshops provided psychological rehabilitation for participants through individual psychological sessions and art therapy conducted by psychologist and art-therapist under the supervision of VA Officer who is professional psychologist. As an evidence-based treatment, trauma-focused cognitive-behavioural therapy for PTSD was used during individual sessions.

In addition to medical treatment and electrophoresis, Workshop programme included educational sessions on Victim Assistance, Rights of Persons with Disabilities, progress in achieving Oslo Action Plan, national legislative basis relevant to PWDs, EORE. Oslo Action Plan, the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, as well as the Mine Risk Education materials were provided to all participants.

Training on business start-up methodologies attracted attention of participants, Q&A session after business training gathered all survivors: they received answers to their questions related to business start-up methodologies and establishment of income generating projects like bee keeping, greenhouses etc., self-education, enrolment into different training centres etc.

Morning starts from meditation and adapted morning exercises.  Swimming pool, equipped gym, football field in the recreation zone were available for out-door activities in the afternoons. In addition, evening singing and dancing were also part of the art-therapy and workshops’ programme.

Summer rehabilitation camp had a positive effect to survivors by reducing their aggression, depression, anxiety, and fatigue, improved their creativity, self-expression, overall mood, and communication skills.