Scalable model for documenting child MHPSS outcomes in a crisis

Beyond outputs, a scalable model for documenting child MHPSS outcomes in a crisis: remarks by Reda Sadki at the 18th European Public Health Conference

Reda SadkiGlobal health

On November 12, 2025, the 18th European Public Health Conference hosted a symposium organized by the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC). The session, “The heart of resilience: lessons from mental health support for children and young people affected by conflict in Ukraine,” explored the large-scale mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) initiative developed by the IFRC with support from the European Commission. The panel was moderated by Dr Aneta Trgachevska, who coordinated this initiative at the IFRC Regional Office for Europe. She was joined by four panelists: Emelie Rohdén and Ivan Kryvenko from the Swedish Red Cross Youth, Martina Dugonjić, a primary school teacher from Croatia, and Reda Sadki, Executive Director of The Geneva Learning Foundation (TGLF). As part of the IFRC-led initiative, TGLF developed the first Certificate peer learning programme on Psychological First Aid (PFA) in support of children affected by the humanitarian crisis …

How practitioners in Ukraine and across Europe built a self-sustaining peer learning network to support children

How practitioners in Ukraine and across Europe built a self-sustaining peer learning network to support children

Reda SadkiGlobal health

When military fathers started arriving at her centre in Bulgaria, sharing challenges they faced with their own children, Irina V. found herself drawing on lessons learned not from textbooks, but from conversations with fellow practitioners scattered across a war zone. “What I learned about providing psychological first aid (PFA) to children actually helped me in working with parents of children in crisis,” Irina explained during a recent video call with professionals across Europe supporting children affected by the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine. That call was the first annual meeting of an entirely volunteer-driven network of practitioners – some working within kilometres of active combat – who teach each other how to better support children. This network emerged from an innovative certificate peer learning programme supported by the European Union’s EU4Health programme, developed by The Geneva Learning Foundation (TGLF) with the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC). …