IAHV in the Disaster and Trauma Relief initiatives mobilizes global volunteers to provide immediate material aid and care, trauma relief programs, and supports long-term community development post disaster. IAHV adopts a unique approach of holistic healing and recovery. The main thrust of its relief work is to not only to bring material aid to those in need, but also tend to the mental and emotional needs of disaster hit victims.
“Unless the trauma is released, food and medicines will not work. People cannot eat or sleep because their mind is full of the terrible tragedy that has befallen them. With a healing touch, support and a vision for the future, disaster victims can reclaim their lives”
– Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar
OUR APPROACH
With its expertise in the area of disaster mitigation and recovery, IAHV has established a unique three pronged methodology to achieve its objective of holistic revival of disaster struck areas.
IMMEDIATE MATERIAL AIDS AND SERVICES
IAHV collects funds and goods to support emergency services and material aid in the aftermath of disasters provided by other IAHV country organizations and its partner organization, the Art of Living Foundation. These emergency services provide food, clothes, medicine and shelter. doctors, counsellors and other physical and mental health experts form an integral part of such immediate relief efforts.
TRAUMA RELIEF
For survivors of disasters, who have experienced severe physical and emotional trauma, material help alone is not sufficient. Alleviating the trauma and helping people to reclaim their lives is essential. IAHV’s Trauma Relief programs – the Breath Water Sound Program and the Art of Living Course – teach participants how to process their emotions and stress through the breath, to shift their attention away from reliving the past towards future possibilities. Participants leave the workshop with stress and trauma management techniques, healthy coping strategies, stronger community bonds and a sense of personal power.
SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
True relief can only happen when disaster survivors are completely rehabilitated – physically and emotionally. To support communities in developing sustainable solutions, IAHV’s global organizations and volunteers work in villages and with local communities, building homes, sanitation systems, roads, schools, vocational training centers and other necessary infrastructure. IAHV raises funds to support these ventures, including for the 5H program in India.
