With the participation of the Emergency Medicine and Support Center, a workshop on the endorsement of the African Union’s Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) Guideline in Post-Conflict Reconstruction and Development (PCRD) contexts was held in Kigali, Rwanda’s capital, in September.
The workshop was organized under the auspices of the African Union’s Department of Political Affairs, Peace, and Security, aiming to integrate MHPSS services into peacebuilding and recovery processes across member states.
During the second day of the three-day workshop, Dr. Samah Al-Masallati, Director of the Mental and Social Health Department at the Emergency Medicine and Support Center, delivered a presentation highlighting Libya’s practical experience in providing psychosocial support during crises and disasters.
She emphasized the importance of evidence-based approaches and cross-sectoral coordination among health, humanitarian, and security institutions to strengthen community resilience.
The workshop concluded with the endorsement of the MHPSS guideline draft as a continental reference for integrating psychosocial support into post-conflict and peacebuilding programs — a step that reinforces the African Union and its partners’ commitment to holistic approaches recognizing mental health as a cornerstone of sustainable development.
