COUNTRY : Poland

PRESENTATION : International Humanitarian Initiative Foundation (IHIF) is an NGO founded in 1998. IHIF objective is to promote humanitarian assistance and provide emergency and psychological care for the refugees, asylum seekers, victims of armed conflicts and emergencies, sick, neglected and orphaned children.

In 2001-2004, IHIF implemented medical, psychological and emergency programs providing protection of the civilian victims of armed conflict in the North Caucasus. Since that time we are involved in different research and assistance programs for asylum seekers in our country.

Currently, our main activity is providing emergency assistance and developing lasting solutions for vulnerable and traumatized asylum seekers. For this purpose we have set up The Center for Psychological Assistance for Foreigners, where we provide individual consultations, group meetings, and crisis intervention for victims of torture, violence and human rights violations, seeking international protection in Poland. As our team consists of psychologists and psychiatrist, we are focused on their mental health and wellbeing considering the legal, medical and social context of their trauma through cooperation with other NGOs.

Since 2009 IHIH is a member of European Network of Rehabilitation Centers for Torture Survivors. Since 2012 International Humanitarian Initiative Foundation is a part of PROTECT-ABLE project.