FYF and partners deliver high-level trauma training in Kurdistan

The Free Yezidi Foundation is among five collaborative partners in a high-level trauma training program for practicing psychologists in Kurdistan.

The training was hosted by the Jiyan Foundation and is designed to provide skilled professionals with more tools to assist traumatized patients throughout Kurdistan, including the many Yezidi victims of the terrorist attacks.

Leading the training was Dr Derek Farrell, FYF board member and University of Worcester lecturer, accompanied by his expert colleagues, Paul Keenan and Heather Cuffe. FYF and Dr Farrell undertook two extensive scoping visits to Kurdistan earlier this year in order to lay the groundwork for this and future trainings. During those visits FYF, Jiyan Foundation, University of Worcester, and Trauma Aid began discussions on this collaborative effort. Jiyan Foundation already has extensive background in psychological treatment and trauma training on the ground throughout Kurdistan.

The Free Yezidi Foundation is committed to partnering with like-minded organisations in an effort to scale up the capacity of trauma treatment available to all those who have suffered from the attacks, including the Yezidi survivors. FYF and partners are grateful to Terre des Hommes for generously funding this project. The second leg of this training will take place early next year.