Interviews with Those Directly Impacted by Humanitarian Disasters
Alma Tadzic’s Story:
Alma Tadzic, a teacher within the ISB community, has kindly shared her personal experience of escaping Yugoslavia (Now Bosnia) and discussed what mental health impacts she and others experienced, and how these were managed.
In 1995, when the war in Yugoslavia broke out, Alma Tadzic was merely eight years old. Her family had a big house, where she was able to enjoy a happy childhood filled with friends, school, and pets. The rumours of war were distant, and not something a child could fully understand. Though the reality of conflict instantly uprooted her life forever.
The sudden displacement proved shocking. Ms.Tadzic had to leave behind everything she knew and loved - her favourite toys, her pets, her friends, and her home. The sudden separation is something difficult for a child to process, with the impacts leaving deep and hidden scars. “I don’t think I had any mental health issues, I didn’t go to a psychiatrist, a psychologist or anything, however my mom said something that really shocked me and I think I have a lot of feelings that are buried, that I'm not aware of.” Says Ms. Tadzic. She had no recollection of the companion, making it clear she had buried these memories, a common defence mechanism of children facing sudden trauma.
Moving to England presented its own challenges. At that time, the concept of refugees was not as widely understood or accepted. Despite the kindness of the locals, the lack of resources and experience in dealing with refugees made the integration process difficult. Learning a new language and adapting to a new culture added to the difficulties of starting a new life, further impacting anxiety that people already faced.
The impact of war extended beyond Ms.Tadzic and her family. Other relatives faced similar hardships. While some found psychological help, others struggled without any. Ms.Tadzics husband, who was a teenager during the war, witnessed horrific violence and lost his father and uncle. He needed professional support to cope with these experiences.
Talking about experience proved crucial. Many were given the opportunity to speak about what happened, which helped to process and understand events. The openness plays a large role in people’s healing journeys.
The long-term effects of such experiences can last a lifetime. However, with the right support and coping mechanisms, it is possible to manage and even overcome some of these impacts. Ms.Tadzic believes that supporting refugees involves more than just providing physical necessities such as housing and clothing. Emotional and psychological support is equally vital. Creating safe spaces for people to share their experience and offering access to mental health resources can make a difference.
Ms. Tadzics story shows the strengths of those who have faced such hardships, and the importance of extensive support systems for those who have faced humanitarian disasters such as war, in order to heal overtime and face the mental health impacts that such disasters fabricate.
Sujeewa Fernando’s Story:
Sujeewa Fernanda, a former ISB teacher, was a victim of war herself, resulting in her fleeing her home country, Sri Lanka, along with her husband, and son. As a result of her experiences, Ms. Sujeewa was inspired to help others who had shared experiences. She is the founder of “Handaid for Humanity,” an organisation aiding those who have suffered from humanitarian disasters. Handaid for Humanity has contributed greatly towards funding schools, libraries, homes etc.
Visit this Site for more information regarding the organisation:
https://sites.google.com/isbasel.ch/handaid-for-humanity/handaid-for-humanity
Sujeewa Fernanda’s journey began in Sri Lanka. She was married to a tea planter, and during a period of ethnic conflict, her husband was required to undergo military training. The country was facing conflict between varying ethnic groups. Her ex-husband was forced to serve in the military and the family eventually had to desert. They fled to Switzerland, leaving behind a beautiful bungalow and high quality life, starting from scratch in a new country.
Upon arriving in Switzerland, Ms. Sujeewa faced a multitude of challenges. She had to keep her family together. Both her ex-husband and son faced difficulties adjusting to life in a refugee camp, far from the life he previously knew. The entire family was put through psychotherapy to cope with their reality.
Language has posed a significant challenge for integration. Ms. Sujeewa was fortunate to have knowledge of German before arriving in Switzerland, which eased her transition. However, her ex-husband struggled without the language skills, making it increasingly difficult to integrate and adapt to their new life.
The Swiss government had provided significant support to refugees, including automatic enrollment in psychotherapy. The support system was crucial for helping refugees like Ms. Sujeewa and her family integrate into their new environment. The Swiss government, along with volunteers from around the world, played a vital role in offering psychological support and helping refugees find work and establish routines.
This aid proved vital as the transition to life as refugees had an impact on the family’s mental health. Her ex-husband struggled with PTSD following his wartime experiences and therapy was required to help him cope. Her son needed therapy in order to deal with the trauma of displacement at a young age. Ms. Sujeewa herself, despite being the strongest in her family, participated in therapy to manage the stress and emotional burden that their situation had posed.
The mental health impacts of such traumatic experiences can linger for a lifetime. However, with the right support systems and routines, individuals can find stability and rebuild their lives. The approach of providing psychotherapy, language support, and job opportunities is vital in helping those impacted by humanitarian disasters regain a sense of normalcy.
Unfortunately, in many cultures, there is a stigma attached to seeking mental health support. Ms. Sujeewa observed that in her home country, psychotherapy was not widely accepted or understood. This barrier made it difficult for her to convince others in her own country to seek therapy when needed.
Ms. Sujeewa believes that establishing routines and providing strong support systems are crucial for helping people who have experienced such trauma. Psychologists emphasise the importance of daily routines to prevent individuals from falling into despair. Additionally, helping refugees find employment and integrate into a community can significantly improve their mental health and overall wellbeing.
Igor’s Story:
Igor L. is a Ukrainian refugee who fled Ukraine as a result of the Ukraine-Russia war, and has kindly shared some of his own experience in an interview. His experiences present a different perspective of the experiences of those seeking refuge within Switzerland.
Igor’s life was turned upside down by the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Bombs and Missiles and Bombs forced him and his family to flee their home in western Ukraine, despite their reluctance to leave. They had a comfortable life, with a house, good education, surrounded by family and friends, however the war and the long-term illness of one of their children made it impossible for them to stay.
The family initially made their way to Poland, though eventually arrived in Switzerland. The customs were different, and language quickly became a barrier. Without friends and family as a support system, the family felt isolated and it has been difficult to adjust.
The stress of the situation took a toll on Igors mental health. With his family still living in Ukraine, he lived in constant anxiety about their safety and the uncertainty of the future. He was prescribed anxiety medication to cope with some of these feelings.
Igor has made it clear that the impacts of war are widespread. Many people suffer from mental health issues as a result, but basic needs often take precedence over seeking help. This can greatly hinder the integration process, and the lack of social services in Switzerland added to their struggles.
It can also be noted that while some people believe that donating clothes, or helping once is enough, people fail to understand the ongoing daily challenges that are faced by people in war. Unfortunately, Igor, like many others, has not been able to overcome his struggles. He acknowledges that it is a long process and knows that the impacts of war will stay with people for the rest of their lives.
Igors story shows that despite governments providing significant support to some refugees, including automatic enrollment in psychotherapy, this had not been the case for all. The situation for each varies based on a variety of reasons, including which country one has fled to, the situation and its severity, and the amount of people who have been displaced (to name a few).