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RAPORT VJETOR ANNUAL REPORT

2006

QENDRA KOSOVARE PËR REHABILITIMIN E TË MBIJETUARVE TË TORTURËS

THE KOSOVA REHABILITATION CENTRE FOR TORTURE VICTIMS


13 QKRMT Raport vjetor 2006

ANNUAL REPORT 2006

The Kosova Rehabilitation Centre for Torture Victims (KRCT) is an independent, non- governmental and non-profit organization with the mission to provide treatment and rehabilitation for Kosovar torture victims, continuous capacity building on trauma and torture related issues, of its staff and public sector; as well as to promote the respect of human rights for all the Kosovo ethnicities and to influence the prevention and eradication of torture.

This report was realized thanks to the financial support of European Commission and Cordaid. The views expressed in this report are of KRCT and as such cannot be considered as the official opinion of the donors.

Contents

1 Foreword by the Executive Director ....................................................................................... 14

2 Mission Statement ......................................................................................................................... 15

3 Board and Staff ............................................................................................................................... 15

4 Sectors ............................................................................................................................................... 16

4.1 Rehabilitation and Treatment ................................................................................................... 17

4.2 Research and Documentation .................................................................................................. 20

4.3 Human Rights and Advocacy .................................................................................................... 21

5 Events in 2006 ................................................................................................................................. 22

6 Other Projects in 2006 ................................................................................................................. 24



1 Foreword by the Executive Director

Seven years after the end of the armed conflict in Kosovo, there is still a need to provide rehabilitation services to victims of torture, persons suffering from war-related trauma and their families. Since 1999, the Kosova Rehabilitation Centre for Torture Victims has provided these much-needed services and we are proud, that in 2006 we were able to reach out to and help a high number of the Kosovar population.

In 2006 the organization has undergone some substantial structural changes. The predominantly psychological and psychiatric profile of the organization and its core programmes were gradually supplemented with new approaches to expand the psychosocial context of assistance, thus including not only psychological aid, but also capacity building in the psychosocial field, programmes for health professionals, social workers, aid distribution, assistance to repatriation, skills training programmes, medical aid and expertise, legal support, advocacy and research.

Our achievements would not have been possible without the generous help of our donors: the European Commission, Cordaid, CVT, UNVFVT, DRC, IRCT, RCT, SEE-RAN, , local businessmen and many others. At this point, we would like to express our gratitude for their valuable support.

We succeeded in 2006 to implement new projects and programmes which enrich the services provided by KRCT. In collaboration with other organizations and governmental institutions we were able to increase the capacities of the primary health sector and spread our activities throughout Kosovo.

Three major activities were added to our Centre: -

Establishment of the three-year curriculum for the Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) course. This course involves the participation of KRCT staff, psychology Master students and psychiatrists from Kosova and Macedonia, who aim to be recognized by the European Association of CBT as CBT “Certified Therapists”.

- Under the new Research and Documentation Sector, KRCT carried out 2 major studies on 1) Long-term Sequels of War, Social Functioning and Mental Health in Kosovo, a study which served to design the National Plan on psycho-trauma and 2) Qualitative analysis under the influence of war experiences in mental health among survivors of civil war.

- Establishment of the Human Rights and Advocacy Sector, which complements the multidisciplinary approach of the Centre.

I would like to thank the KRCT Board and the team members who are dedicated to such a valuable mission. Through our mutual support and our joint expertise, we are able to provide these necessary services to our beneficiaries and thus make a contribution to the healthy and peaceful development of the Kosovar society.

Many thanks to all of you, Feride Rushiti, M.D.

Executive Director/KRCT Prishtina, Kosova



2 Mission Statement

The Kosova Rehabilitation Centre for Torture Victims has the mission to raise the psychosocial welfare of torture victims and to improve their status through rehabilitation, reintegration and re-socialization.

KRCT is pursuing this mission, always keeping the following points in mind:

Beneficiaries KRCT’s work is directed to two categories of beneficiaries: We provide services to torture and war victims and their families, and we support, within our mandate, Kosovar public institutions and NGOs in capacity building.

Clients are our first priority To enhance the quality of life of our clients is what we are here for. KRCT’s main role is to provide the best possible services and all our efforts are directed to assure continuous, high- quality and professional treatment.

Sustainability Psychosocial and psychological treatment is a long-term undertaking. KRCT therefore continuously works to assure the sustainability of its programs.

Efficiency KRCT works with professional doctors, psychologists, psychiatrists, social workers and legal advisors in order to assure the most effective multidisciplinary treatment to our clients. KRCT has established its services for torture victims in Kosova since the end of the war. Thus, the Centre has taken the lead in offering professional and individually adapted treatment to our target group. Within Kosova, KRCT is an active member of the civil society and participates in all important events. However, we are also engaged in international networks and are part of the Council of IRCT, the International Rehabilitation Council for Torture Victims and member of other regional networks.

3 Board and Staff

The board consists of experts with a humanitarian or specialized background

Board members: - Milajete Mehmeti, Prof. Dr. Sc. of Technological Sciences, President of the Board

- Pajazit Nushi, Prof. Dr. of Psychology - Nexhmedin Spahiu, Prof. Dr. of Political Science - Sabit Rrustemi, Albanolog - Elmir Tarani, M.D.



Honorary members: - Adem Demaçi

- Adrian Kati - Nafije Kuçi

Management Staff: - Feride Rushiti, M. D., Executive Director

- Liridon Shurdhani, Graduated Lawyer, Operational Manager / Human Rights and Advocacy - Sebahate Pacolli, M. D., Rehabilitation - Mimoza Salihu, Social Worker, Research & Documentation - Florim Kosumi, Certified Accountant, Finance

4 Sectors

In 2006, KRCT restructured the entire organization according to the KRCT Strategy 2006-2008. There are now 4 permanent sectors and 8 units who work closely together to assure the best possible services to our clients.

The new organizational structure looks as follows:

Execurive Director Feride Rashiti

Board of Directors

Rehabilitation Sebahate Pacolli

Research & Documentation Mimoza Salihu

Human RIghts & Advocacy

Liridon Shurdhani

Finances & Logistics

Florim Kosumi

Secretary

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4.1 Rehabilitation and Treatment

Rehabilitation services

Psychological, physical and social rehabilitation of torture and trauma victims is continuing in all regions where KRCT provides its services (Pristina, Skenderaj, Decani, Podujeva, Suhareka, Drenas, Klina and Kaqanik).

Somatic disorders The most frequent somatic complaints were those of neuromuscular, digestive and cardiovascular system.

The basic principle of the rehabilitation activity at KRCT is multidisciplinary teamwork. The approach that the Centre applies is a harmonization of individually focused treatment with a community-based model, emphasizing the last. Rehabilitation implies: medical assessment and medical assistance, psychological assessment and psychological support , , psychotherapy on individual, group and family levels - directed at coping with traumatic experience and overcoming victimization attitude, pharmacotherapy when needed, social counselling (consultations, family system support, efforts of offering up-grading courses and finding a job).

The long-term treatment offered to the Centre’s clients aims to improve the overall psychological, medical and social functioning and reintegration into society of torture and trauma victims and their families. The different torture and trauma experienced by our clients manifest themselves in a complexity of psychological and physical symptoms. This symptomatic complexity, consequence of terrible traumatic experiences, has caused our clients to suffer from different disorders.



Psychological disorders The most frequent psychological disorder with the highest values appears to be Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) with 76 % of the cases in total, while the Generalized Anxiety appears to have the lowest values comparing to others.

Evaluation of the treatment

The improvements of the psychosocial and physical state of the clients are related to the reductions on the level of the psychological and physical symptoms referred to by the clients. These improvements are observed by the therapists and noted in the reports of the family members.



Capacity building

a.) Capacity building for KRCT staff One important segment of capacity building is the strengthening of capacities of KRCT team members on Cognitive Behaviour Therapy of posttraumatic spectrum disorders. This process is in progress.

b.) Capacity building conducted by KRCT trainers The training program has started successfully in the second week of March 2006. During the first year, two groups of family physicians completed the training program conducted on five modules on stress and trauma identification and management. Each module lasted three days. The training is part of the curriculum of mental health module for family physicians and is arranged in good collaboration with the Ministry of Health of Kosova and the Centre for Development of Family Medicine.

Topics covered: Definition of stress; psychological and physical reactions on stress; different stressors; definition of trauma; interviewing traumatized persons, management of trauma, Post-traumatic stress disorders (PTSD), identification of persons with PTSD; diagnostic criteria for PTSD based on DSM IV; conditions associated with PTSD; communication with clients and its challenges; autogenic training and biofeedback; effective communication and counselling & different approaches in counselling (individual, group and family counselling); burn-out syndrome; factors of professional burn-out; coping with burn-out; self-care strategies; techniques for relaxation.

Participants: 40 physicians of Family Medicine Centres from different regions of Kosova.

Methodology: lectures and dialogue with the participants in an interactive form, reflections (individually and in pairs), role-plays, assignment on giving positive feedback, group work, discussions, brainstorm and body-awareness exercises. The trainings were evaluated through prepared evaluation forms. The participants were quite satisfied with the level of organization; the level of materials presented; the level of the presentation and the communication skills; level of interaction reached through the moderation skills performed.

Training materials have been handed out to the trainees.



4.2 Research and Documentation

Establishment of the Research Unit The Research Unit was added to the already existing Documentation Unit in order to enhance the efficiency of data collection.

Data Base System The Research and Documentation Unit collects on a daily basis data from our clients’ files in order to provide an updated data collection. This activity allows to have an in-depth understanding of our clients’ needs and consequently to improve the therapeutic work of the rehabilitation staff.

Furthermore, the data base is used for clinical purposes, in order to facilitate effective clinical decision-making and is also improving the quality and cost-effectiveness of therapeutic services.

Registration of Clients Based on the clients’ files, KRCT has gathered information on methods of torture, time and place where torture occurred, and the impact of torture on mental and physical health. 500 clients have been registered (reporting period) and the majority of them received long- term treatment from the Center’s multidisciplinary team based on their needs for treatment.

Collection of Information Related to Torture from other Sources Different websites have been searched and various articles that deal with torture, trauma and consequences have been downloaded. Books and brochures have been collected from different partner NGOs and individuals.

Media Monitoring Four daily newspapers (Kosova Sot, Lajmi, Koha Ditore and Express) have been regularly monitored. Articles that dealt with torture, rehabilitation, prevention issues, consequences of stress and trauma have been collected and registered in electronic form. Articles relating to wider social issues were also of interest and have been collected.

2006 New Clients (15+ years)

New Clients (0-15 years)

Ongoing Clients (15+ years)

Ongoing Clients (0-15 years)

Total

Jan-Dec 156 288 4 5 15 29 3 / 178 322

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4.3 Human Rights and Advocacy

The Human Rights and Advocacy Sector has been created in February 2006 and has become fully operational by the end of the year. During the first three months, two units were established within this sector:

1. Legal Aid Our lawyer is responsible to offer legal aid to KRCT’s clients and their families. The first clients were received from July 2006 on and our lawyer has been fully integrated into the Centre’s multidisciplinary approach. This ensures that our clients can benefit from all our services to address their social, psychological or legal concerns.

2. Capacity Building and Advocacy: This unit is mainly concerned with the legal framework regarding torture in Kosovo. Our legal expert is engaging in advocacy and lobbying activities in order to ensure that the legislative and governmental bodies are aware of international human rights standards, and, in more concrete terms, will ratify the UN Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment and the European Convention for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, once it will have the competencies to do so.

In 2006, the Capacity Building and Advocacy unit gave recommendations to the Kosovo Assembly for the drafting of a new law on the status and the rights of the families of martyrs, invalids, veterans and members of the KLA and of the families of civilian victims of the armed conflict in Kosova.

Activities The Human Rights and Advocacy sector has been active in different fields throughout 2006.

Within the Centre it has established a Human Rights library in order to increase the available sources for the lawyers and the whole of KRCT’s staff. It has also been responsible for the drafting of internal regulations / by-laws and redrafting of the new KRCT statutes.

Most of the activities were focused on the prevention of torture and ill-treatment through awareness raising. Thus, trainings were organised for representatives of local NGOs as well as for the Kosovo Police Service and the Kosovo Protection Corps, which dealt with the international standards on torture and ill-treatment, and aimed to increase the participants’ understanding of this sensitive issue.

Another important activity, which is organised every year, was the Commemoration of the 26th of June, International Day in Support of Victims of Torture. The Commemoration aims to raise the awareness of the general public to the problematic of torture and the victims of torture. This year’s event was organised by all KRCT sectors under the lead of the Human Rights and Advocacy sector.



5 Events in 2006

During 2006, KRCT was not only active with its ongoing projects, but also organised different events for the public and trainings for the capacity building of KRCT staff:

KRCT Annual Conference, April The Conference was held on the 27th of April at the Grand Hotel, Prishtina, with the aim to present KRCT’s three-year programme as well as the new organizational structure. Representatives from Kosova’s political and institutional scene were present at the Conference, as well as representatives from diplomatic missions, international organizations, civil society and the media.

26th of June, International Day in Support of Victims of Torture, June On the 26th of June, thousands of people around the world join together every year to raise the awareness on torture and inhuman and degrading treatment.

Presentation of the results of the study on the: “Qualitative Analysis on the Impact of War Experience on Mental Health among Civilian War Survivors in Kosovo”, funded by the Danish Refugee Council



CBT training, The Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) course was established by KRCT in collaboration with Prof. Moshe Landsmann. This course is compatible with the programme of the European Association of CBT (EACBT) and aims to be recognised as an internationally certified course. Participants to this course were recruited according to the selection criteria of the EACBT and included not only professionals from Kosova, but also from Macedonia.

MANGO Communities Ltd. Training Mango Communities provides consultancy support to organisations, teams, partnerships and individuals. Since 2003, KRCT worked with Mango Communities and this year’s training aimed to enhance the institutional development of KRCT and the capacities of the management staff by elaborating an appraisal system.

ANTARES Foundation training The Antares Foundation is a non-profit organisation based in the Netherlands with the mission to improve the quality of management and staff support and care in humanitarian and developmental organisations. Thus the training was focused on the establishment of an Inter collegial Consultation method for the management staff of KRCT and NGO leaders in Kosovo.


Developing tools and methods for working on Cultural Aspect of Trauma. (CAT)

The Cultural Aspect of Trauma (CAT) group is a partnership of four organizations, the Center for Civic Initiative (CCI Macedonia), the Kosova Rehabilitation Centre for Torture Victims KRCT (Kosova), the International Aid Network (IAN Serbia), and the Albanian Rehabilitation Centre for Torture Victims (ARCT Albania), working under the South East European Refugee Network Assistance (SEERAN). The group works together in order to produce and to implement culturally sensitive tools and instruments, which are to be used within the already existing

psycho-social interventions in order to increase the qualitative level of services provided to beneficiaries, as well as the knowledge and expertise in the region.

KRCT offers its clients and their family’s humanitarian aid KRCT’s social worker Nafije Kuçi distributed

food and clothing to the most vulnerable of our clients on national and religious holidays.

6 Other Projects in 2006

In 2006, KRCT was also engaged in the following projects: - Research “Long-term Sequels of War, Social Functioning and Mental Health in Kosovo”, a study which

served to design the National Plan on psycho-trauma. (October 2005 - June 2006, Donator: Danish Refugee Council) Total Budget 59922.00 Euro

- Research “Qualitative analysis under the influence of war experiences in Mental Health among survivors of Civil War in Kosovo”. (April – September 2006. Donators: Danish Refugee Council). Total Budget 39852.00 Euro

- Medical and psychosocial rehabilitation of victims of torture and their families in the region of Mitrovica. (January - June 2006. Donator: United Nations Voluntary Found for Torture Victims) Total Budget 3300.44 Euro

- Training programme for strengthening the structures of Centres for Social Welfare in Kosovo on psychosocial trauma (January - September 2006 .Donator: DRC Danish Refugee Council Total Budget 45915.50 Euro

____________________________________________________________________________________________ Special thanks for the contribution

We would like to thank Mr. Erik Mispelblom Beyer for his very generous contribution to KRCT’s library by enriching it with numerous books on psycho-social intervention. This donation had an important impact on increasing the professional knowledge of our staff on advanced treatment of torture victims. ____________________________________________________________________________________________



Donacionet mund të dërgohen në: / Donations may be sent to: PreCredit Bank-Prishtinë - 1110025911000146

Kontaktet: / Contact: QENDRA KOSOVARE PËR REHABILITIMIN

E TË MBIJETUARVE TË TORTURËS KOSOVA REHABILITATION CENTRE

FOR TORTURE VICTIMS ADD: Rr. Bedri Shala nr. 53A, Bregu i Diellit II

10000 Prishtinë Kosovë WEB: http://www.krct.org

E-MAIL: [email protected] & [email protected]

TEL: +381 38 243 707 – 243 708

FAX: +381 38 243 707

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