Health care in general is often less assured in the confines of camps and for those in rural and urban settings than it is for locals, yet it is also one of the most critical aspects of human life development and sustainability that every young person in the world has a right to receive. A young refugee who grows up without a grounded understanding of health care and safe behaviour is at risk of much more in life than one who grows up with a developed knowledge of how to take care of him or herself. Therefore the RET provides multiple health education programmes in the countries of our focus, including psychosocial assistance, training on HIV/AIDS, reproductive health, diseases such as tuberculosis and malaria, sexually transmitted diseases, nutrition, hygiene and sanitation.

The RET provides protection through psychosocial programmes designed to give refugee and displaced youth the support they need if they have been subjected to any kind of abuse or torment during, before, or after they fled their homes. Trauma can be common among refugee and displaced youth: it is a sudden, shocking psychological experience that can overwhelm the individuals’ capacity to cope at the time. It can be both physical and psychological, and can be caused by a variety of events, such as the loss of a loved one, witnessing violence of any kind, rape, natural disasters, intra-family violence, psychological abuse, and so on. Traumatic reactions and psychosocial issues vary from one individual to another, depending on their age, disposition, relationship, cultural upbringing, social support and willpower. The unfortunate consequences of psychosocial trauma can include family and community breakdown, the breakdown of human values, and the destruction of the normal environment among others. Thus the RET’s provision of programmes to ensure health and psychosocial education and support is vital in securing refugee and displaced youth with a healthy, independent, productive and safe life, wherever they may be living.