A delegation from Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA) visited Gaza Community Mental Health Programme. The delegation consisted from six directors of the administration of SIDA and the General Consulate of Swedish in Jerusalem.

The delegation was headed by Ms. Eva Asplund, Assistant to the Director General and Head of Asia Department in SIDA.

The delegation met with Dr. Ahmad Abu Tawahina, Deputy Director General of GCMHP, and a number of Department Heads. Dr. Abu Tawahina gave the delegation a detailed description of GCMHP activities, particularly working with children exposed to various forms of violence. More emphasis was given to the program of school mediation, which is supported by SIDA via the Palestinian Solidarity Association (PSA) in Sweden. Dr. Abu Tawahina also talked about the professional and strategic changes that took place at GCMHP as of the year 2006 in terms of being a knowledge-based institution rather than a service-delivery. Dr. Abu Tawahina highlighted the new strategy of GCMHP in the area of spreading knowledge and research studies to partner organizations at the local level in order to empower them to offer community services for a wider sector of the population. Moreover, Dr. Abu Tawahina talked about the current psycho-social effects of Israeli violence on the Palestinian citizens, with particular emphasis on vulnerable groups including children.

At the end of their visit, the delegation expressed their admirations with the activities of the Programme and indicated that they are committed to supporting the activities of the Programme in the coming period. Dr. Abu Tawahina thanked the delegation for their visit and hoped for continued cooperation between SIDA and GCMHP in the future.