War Zones
Ossetia
Ossetia, (August 2008)
Since August 2008, the region has witnessed tension and clashes on the brink of war between Georgia and South Ossetia. Despite numerous peace efforts, the ethno-political conflict in South Ossetia, which began in 1989, remains unresolved.
Against this backdrop, The Art of Living stepped in to bring solace to people traumatized by the conflict. A team of volunteers from Russia, including doctors and psychologists, has been working round-the-clock in Tskhinvali since August 20, 2008.
Nearly 1,500 people have benefited from the trauma relief sessions, which include breathing techniques and meditation. So far, 200 Russian military soldiers, 80 Russian peacekeepers and 200 South Ossetian peacekeepers, directly in the line of firing have attended the sessions. Around 1,000 people including civilians, teachers, school children, doctors, journalists, and staff of the Presidential administration have also experienced benefits from Art of Living’s interventions.
Iraq
Iraq (September 2003)
The Art of Living has been working in war-ravaged Iraq since September 2003. At a time when most NGOs were compelled to evacuate their volunteers from Iraq in the wake of heightened unrest and kidnapping, The Art of Living continued with its relief efforts. The volunteers conducted trauma-relief programs in various parts of Iraq, especially Baghdad. Medicine, clothes and other emergency supplies were also offered initially. With the help of the breathing and meditation techniques taught at the trauma camps, people who had been unable to sleep due to the constant bombing and killing, were able to sleep well. Many experienced relief from depression, anxiety, blood pressure, migraine and other psychosomatic disorders resulting from war-related stress. So far, 5,000 Iraqis from Baghdad, Basra, Suleimania and Karbala have undergone the Art of Living workshops.
Lebanon-Israel
War between Lebanon-Israel (July 2006)
During the one-month long war in 2006, between Lebanon and Israel, The Art of Living aided people on both sides of the conflict. Trauma relief courses were held for people living in northern Israel. The Art of Living also provided immediate supplies to the residents of Haifa, many of whom were holed up in underground bomb shelters for months.
Special trauma relief programs were held for refugees from the Shia and Druze communities in Lebanon. It began its activities in a school that had been converted into a refugee shelter in the village of Baysour, offering relief materials as well as trauma counselling. 250 women and children underwent trauma relief workshops.
Israel, 2004
Israel (2004)
The continuing tension with the Palestinians on the one hand and Lebanon on the other has taken a very high mental and emotional toll on the people. Despite the danger, Art of Living volunteers have been actively working in Israel to help people overcome the trauma of conflict.
A Child Speaks
“I always faint when the bombing starts. My legs shake even at school. When I heard the qasam (bomb) yesterday, I began practicing the breathing techniques and taught my mom as well. We calmed down and went outside to check the damage. I saw an unconscious woman. I covered her with a coat and called an ambulance. I feel relieved and strong. Finally, I'm not the one to faint and I'm helping somebody else instead. My mother is very proud of me." -Linoy, a 15-year-old girl, narrates her experience after the course
Kosovo
Kosovo (2002)
The Art of Living has been working in Kosovo since 2000, helping war victims reclaim their lives. A Harvard Medical Group assessing the war effects in Kosovo found that 80 percent of Kosovars suffer from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. In addition to conducting trauma relief programmes for war veterans, women, children as well as inmates of prisons and refugee camps, The Art of Living has also carried out major relief work after the war. Its programmes have helped equip the trauma victims with tools of reconciliation and acceptance, helping them to live peacefully in a multi-ethnic society. How it Began
In 2000, The Art of Living sent its volunteers to bring relief in Drenice, the area hardest hit by civilian massacres and violence.
The Kosovo Ministry of Health contracted The Art of Living to provide its programmes to workers in seven mental health centres across Kosovo and also to train them to become teachers of Art of Living workshops. The Ministry of Health has offered these programmes to all health workers in every mental health centre and hospital as a means of preventing provider burnout.
Special Art of Living workshops have also been offered to torture victims, witnesses, and disabled KLA veterans. More than 700 veterans and 600 UN police officers stationed in Kosovo have also undergone the Art of Living programmes.
Voices from Kosovo:
"The participants experienced great healing during the programme. I, myself, have experienced great relief from anger, irritability, sleep disorders and depression and have witnessed more healing in many veterans who have attended the programme," -Vehbi Rafuni, retired director, Association of Disabled KLA Veterans
“As a KLA soldier, I was wounded three times during the war. During my sleep, I heard my brother’s voice, who was killed in the Reqak massacre, and voices of my friends who were killed in the war. I heard them calling me for help. I often jumped from my bed searching for the gun, and afterwards I could not sleep. After taking the Art of Living program, I sleep much better, and flashbacks and nightmares have reduced.” -Afet Billali, disabled war veteran, Kosovo
“Being a nurse for 27 years, I cannot recall happier moments at work as when we had the Art of Living Course" -Zoja, Nurse
Aghanistan
Afghanistan (February 2002 - June 2006)
The Art of Living, through its trauma relief workshops, brought relief and peace to war victims, mine victims, women, children and others traumatized by over two decades of war and strife. Through the United Nations Office of Drugs and Crimes, Afghan counsellors, doctors, nurses and administrators took the Art of Living Breath-Water-Sound programmes. UNIFEM, Ministry of Public Health and the Mental Health Dept. organised several courses for their staff and trauma affected villagers with very positive results.
Sichuan
Bihar
Surat
Hurricane Katrina
Kashmir-Pakistan
Mumbai
Tsunami
Guajarat
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