Struggling Finances Leave Psychosocial Centers for Traumatized Refugees Fighting for Survival
Aid for Traumatized Refugees Imperiled by Instability - Assistance for Traumatized Refugees Struggling to Comprehend Stability
It's a bleak picture for psychosocial centers in Germany that provide emotional aid to traumatized refugees. The funding for these vital organizations is shaky, with funds dwindling, as highlighted by Torsten W. Licker from the Psychosocial Treatment Center for Survivors of Traumatic Violence (PBT) in Stuttgart.
Between 450 and 500 individuals are attended to annually at this location, but the waiting times of around nine months are agonizingly long, and experts are in short supply. "The increasingly scarce equipment with funds makes it even harder to retain good specialists in the long term," Licker explained.
The Psychosocial Treatment Center for Survivors of Traumatic Violence in Ulm, the first of its kind in the Southwest, shares these concerns. "We, at least, hope that the funds do not decrease," said BFT director Noemi Cappellotto.
The BFT, founded 30 years ago, is one of nine centers in the country, primarily financed from state and federal funds, district funds, donations, and contributions from churches and the EU. Despite this support, the centers are greatly undersupplied, with the BIOS victim protection initiative, the carrier of the center, having to finance a deficit of around 200,000 euros from its own funds for the current year.
Things are no better at Refugio Villingen-Schwenningen. Approximately 700,000 euros are required for annual operations, yet only 20% of the financial need is covered by the state. "We long for a structured funding that is reliable and not just covers 20% of our budget," said Refugio's managing director Astrid Sterzel.
Refugio cannot bill through statutory health insurance companies, and interpreter costs are substantial. The state spends around two million euros per year on psychosocial centers in the Southwest, but only a fraction reaches individual organizations. "The state funding has almost tripled in the past seven years," emphasized a spokesperson from the Ministry of Social Affairs. However, the majority of funds are allocated to the "BW protects! - Trauma rehabilitation for refugees" project that has been running since 2023, aimed at people in temporary accommodation.
There are no figures on the number of refugees treated for trauma annually, according to the Ministry of Social Affairs. The need is colossal, with 95% of those in need remaining untreated, according to Sterzel. The largest group seeking help hails from Afghanistan and Turkey.
In the face of political debates following attacks or general refugee crimes, the centers underline one crucial point: When refugees become aggressive due to traumas they experienced in their home countries, during their journey, or in the host country, this aggression usually turns inward. "Frustration and the violence it can cause, it usually turns inward," Cappellotto also added.
- Ulm
- Stuttgart
On a broader scale, Germany's support for psychosocial centers for traumatized refugees involves collaborations with NGOs and international partners. However, systemic funding challenges persist, with reliance on late-year contributions, dependency on voluntary donations, and competition with basic needs priority for funding. Strengthening cross-border funding mechanisms, public-private partnerships, and institutionalizing mental health line items in humanitarian aid budgets could address these concerns.
- The psychosocial centers in Ulm, like their counterparts in Stuttgart, are concerned about the potential decrease in funds, as they rely heavily on state and federal funds, district funds, donations, and contributions from churches and the EU.
- Despite the pressing need for psychosocial therapies and treatments among refugees, as highlighted by the lack of resources at the Psychosocial Treatment Center for Survivors of Traumatic Violence in Ulm, no definitive figures are available on the number of refugees treated for trauma annually, according to the Ministry of Social Affairs.
- The BFT, one of nine psychosocial centers in Germany, is experiencing a significant deficit of around 200,000 euros for the current year, despite financial support from various sources, including state and federal funds, district funds, donations, and contributions from churches and the EU.
- Refugio Villingen-Schwenningen, another psychosocial center, requires approximately 700,000 euros for annual operations, but only 20% of the financial need is covered by the state, leaving a substantial deficit that Refugio must cover from its own funds.
- Recognizing the challenges faced by psychosocial centers, there is a need to explore solutions such as strengthening cross-border funding mechanisms, public-private partnerships, and institutionalizing mental health line items in humanitarian aid budgets to address the systemic funding challenges and ensure the survival and effectiveness of these essential community and employment policy initiatives.
