ELNET Brings Top Israeli Trauma Expert to Assist Ukrainian Refugees

ELNET has launched a major initiative to assist Ukrainian refugees and the frontline countries, by harnessing Israel’s leading expertise in treating trauma and building societal resilience.

In the span of 10 weeks, the war in Ukraine has resulted in more than 5.9 million Ukrainian refugees fleeing their country in search of shelter, resulting in Europe’s largest refugee crisis since World War II. 

While the refugees are welcomed by thousands of volunteers at border crossings and train stations, Ukraine’s neighboring countries have been overwhelmed by the enormity of the need. Poland alone absorbed more than 2.1 million of the 3.3 million refugees who entered the country.  

Many of the Ukrainian refugees are women and young children who, while receiving immediate food and shelter, face long-term trauma, acute stress disorder, and chronic PTSD, resulting from the harrowing experiences of the war. 

To address this challenge, ELNET has launched a major initiative to assist Ukrainian refugees and the frontline countries, by harnessing Israel’s leading expertise in treating trauma and building societal resilience. Leveraging Israeli know-how, ELNET is also helping strengthen Israel’s relations with Europe and improve the frayed diplomatic ties with Poland.

In recent weeks, ELNET-Poland initiated two major regional training seminars led by Dr. Eyal Fruchter, Israel’s top expert on trauma and PTSD prevention. More than 200 professionals from Ukraine, Poland, and Lithuania attended.Participants included senior government and municipal officials, therapists, experts, and social workers. They learned firsthand about Israel’s experience and best practices in responding to crises and providing first response aid to the refugees. 

Please view a clip from the seminar here

The programs were organized in partnership with authorities in Poland and Lithuania, as part of a wider pilot program. 

By training the trainers in frontline countries, ELNET is promoting Israeli expertise throughout the region, by holding online seminars and video conferences, dispatching Israeli experts to Poland and other frontline countries, and hosting delegations of European officials and first responders in Israel.