An international humanitarian medical aid organisation has begun providing “psychological assistance” to victims of violence in the restive Kashmir Valley after over three weeks.
The Medicine Sans Frontiers (MSF) had stopped its work on September 12 due to deteriorating law and order situation in the Valley. “Despite the continuing tense situation, MSF counsellors have re-started visiting patients in the hospitals in Srinagar and are offering on the spot psychological assistance to victims of violence and their families,” communication officer of MSF, Majid Pandit, said today.
“We are dealing with a population already heavily traumatised by over two decades of violence, and people are continuing to suffer psychologically,” Maria Veerart, MSF’s Mental Health Officer in Kashmir, said.
MSF is extremely concerned that the recent violence may only increase mental health needs in the Valley, she said.
