Third Psycho-Social Relief Centre in Darfur 

The third psycho-social centre in Darfur consists of 15 tents and two offices. The tents include a day-care tent, a tent for training and handicrafts, and a tent where the children receive awareness sessions about health and hygiene. More than 25 families and 150 children have registered so far to benefit from the new centre.

The first two psycho-social relief centres, so-called SOS Family Centres, have been in operation in Abu Shok Refugee Camp for more than a year, providing counselling and psychological assistance to traumatised refugees in the camp. More than 400 refugees, particularly children, benefit from the services provided by these two centres.

In contrast to the first two centres, the third centre is like a 'temporary village' where children from the camp, especially those who lost their parents, can spend the day. There they receive medical attention, counselling and therapy as well as extra help with schoolwork. In addition, there are awareness classes about personal hygiene and health.

The new centre is also directed towards single mothers in the refugee camp. They receive training in handicrafts or are provided with work in the centre. Single mothers in the refugee camp typically do jobs such as gathering firewood in the nearby bush or work as labourers in building sites. These jobs entail that they leave the sanctuary of the refugee camp, outside of which they become vulnerable to rape and violence.

Abu Shok refugee camp lies on the outskirts of Al-Fashir, the capital of North Darfur. Almost 100,000 refugees have made their homes in the camp and receive their basic needs from the UN and various international NGOs. Many of the refugees have lost their homes, livelihood and family members. Most of the children receiving therapy at the psycho-social relief centres run by SOS Children's Villages have lost their parents and many have been abused physically and sexually.