Discussion with armed conflict survivors of Former Security Forces and Maoist Combatants on Psychosocial Support System in Nepal

Introduction:
The workshop jointly organized by The Relief Trust and Former Police Council Nepal on dated May 6th, 2019 (Baisakh 23, Monday, 2076). The participants were from different organizations such as Former Nepal Army, Nepal Police, Armed Police Force, Nepal Police Hospital, etc. The total number of participants was twenty-four including three Maoist combatants.
The purpose of the workshop was to become a bridge between government and insurgents as well as to aware their mental status.
The session started with opening Speech by Dr. Chuda Bdr Shrestha. Mr. Shrestha briefed about workshop motto. After completion of Mr. Shrestha’s speech, Miss Chetana Lokshum led the session with the title psychosocial using brainstorming method. Ms. Lokshum asked the question – “What is psychosocial?”
Experience Sharing
Participants shared their emotions and feelings they have never shared before. They are still suffering from past events, unable to gain social respect and have started to become extra cautious. Moreover, they have been facing many difficulties all over.
• Survivors don’t have an identity card
• Combatants don’t have self-identity
• Survivors are going through various trauma
• They lack rehab programs
• Have Self-respect issues
• Have Citizenship issues
• People give us sympathy instead of empathy
• Being treated as a burden
• Survivor’s children boycott from schooling
• Mental, psychosocial, aspect, etc has been neglected after the civil war
Acknowledgment
Participants were very much aggressive with the Gov that even they did not get minimum facilities yet. But the fake and who has power, gunner, and money they are taking our facilities instead. So, the government should recognize real victims who have found and became cripple an insurgency movement. At first, Gov should provide an ID card to the real victims.
Conclusion
In general, the program was very fruitful. We enjoyed the time interacting with them and sharing their own experiences made us happy. And we promised that we could act as a bridge between government and insurgents.