International Humanitarian Projects

Dr Robi Sonderegger in Nimule, southern Sudan.

The Frontline is a Family Challenge project that exists to provide mental health support in the form of trauma rehabilitation and clinical psychology training around the world.

• Victims of War (child soldiers & refugees)
• Human Trafficking (child slaves & sexual exploitation)
• Natural Disaster (emergency response, critical incident debriefing & rehabilitation)

The Frontline currently has programs running in the following locations:

• Eastern Europe (Greece, Ukraine)
• Africa (Uganda, Rwanda, Ethiopia, Democratic Republic of Congo)
• Asia-Pacific (Cambodia, Thailand, Fiji, Australia)
• Americas & Caribbean (USA, Haiti)

Trauma Rehabilitation

Over the past decade, Family Challenge has (a) been developing and validating evidence-based therapeutic interventions for refugees; and (b) providing trauma rehabilitation training for humanitarian organisations, church groups, government departments and educational institutions operating in disaster zones around the world.

In 2006, a 13-session standardised culturally sensitive trauma rehabilitation program was developed (EMPOWER). From 2006 to 2008, more than 20,000 war-affected refugees in Northern Uganda participated in largest therapeutic research trial ever conducted in a war zone (collaborating with academics from National and International Universities).

Since then, the EMPOWER Trauma Rehabilitation Program has gone on to become a world-leading therapeutic intervention for victims of war. More than 100,000 copies of the program are now in circulation in Northern Uganda alone. Therapeutic research-trail data is published in international peer-reviewed scientific journals.

The therapeutic modality of EMPOWER has subsequently expanded to also include the treatment of trauma victims impacted by natural disaster and sexual exploitation (human/child trafficking). As the EMPOWER program continues to gain popularity worldwide, it is the generosity of countless supporters from all corners of the globe that enables Family Challenge to positively impact countless thousands of lives for the better, champion against injustice, and be a voice for children whose cry goes unheard. Your support is greatly appreciated.

EMPOWER was designed to be delivered by indigenous facilitators under urgent and poorly resourced conditions in a way that is economical, sustainable, culturally appropriate, and easily accessible. EMPOWER facilitator manuals and educational materials are only available to organisations and individuals who formally participate in EMPOWER trauma rehabilitation training. The EMPOWER program is made available at cost for organisations wishing to conduct collaborative research.

For more information, or to enquire about receiving training for your organisation, please contact our Programs & Research Coordinator.

Next  >