GDC Director M Golam Abbas Speaks at Beyond Conflict International Panel on Children of War and Mental Health

On June 6, 2024, the Beyond Conflict organization, in partnership with the Ukrainian Welcome Centre (UWC), held a critical panel discussion addressing the pressing issues surrounding children affected by war and the ensuing global mental health crisis. Among the esteemed speakers was our very own M Golam Abbas, GDC’s Director, whose extensive experience in humanitarian aid made his insights invaluable.

The event took place at the Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral in Mayfair and featured a range of distinguished speakers from various sectors of humanitarian aid and mental health. The discussion aimed to shed light on the alarming normalization of targeting children in conflict zones, where currently over 460 million children are either fleeing or living amidst war. As reported by UNICEF, one in five children affected by war suffers from serious mental health issues, highlighting the urgent need for intervention.

M Golam Abbas shared his profound understanding of the unique vulnerabilities faced by children in conflict situations, drawing on his 37 years of experience with the UNHCR. He emphasized the need for a coordinated international response to address the mental health challenges that arise from such conflicts, stating, “The impact of mental health is all encompassing. The anxiety, uncertainty, and stigma it generates can affect a single individual all the way to an entire nation.”

The event also included moving testimonies from other experts, such as Iuliia Osmolovska, who discussed the alarming mental health statistics of Ukrainian children amid the ongoing conflict. With over 80% expected to develop post-traumatic stress disorder, the need for urgent mental health support has never been more critical.

Beyond Conflict and UWC have pledged to work together to raise awareness and advocate for the rights and mental health of children in conflict. The commitment to form a global coalition focused on these issues was a key outcome of the panel discussion.

As GDC continues to focus on education, poverty alleviation, mental health, and refugee support, we are proud to have M Golam Abbas representing us on such important platforms. His involvement in this international discussion aligns perfectly with our mission to create positive change for vulnerable communities.

For more information about the event and its outcomes, please visit the Beyond Conflict Media Hub.