BAHRAIN is planning to set up a psychiatric clinic for Syrian refugees, it was announced yesterday.

Royal Charity Organisation (RCO) secretary-general Dr Mustafa Al Sayed revealed the project during a Press conference.

It took place after it emerged Bahrain had donated $20 million (BD7.54m) to support Syrian refugees at an International Donors’ Conference in Kuwait.

Bahrain had already earmarked $5m to build four schools and 500 shelters for Syrian refugees in Jordan.

However, Dr Al Sayed yesterday said a psychiatric centre was vital to help refugees coming to terms with the trauma of conflict and the hardships of life in the camps.

“When we visited these places, we felt like a psychiatric centre was essential,” he told journalists at the Sheraton Bahrain.

“Many of them suffer from trauma, as well as other issues, and it’s an important addition.”

Meanwhile, he added that no decision had yet been taken on how the $20m donation announced on Wednesday would be spent.

“We’re currently looking at the best ways to utilise the money,” said Dr Al Sayed.

Suggestions will be presented to RCO chairman Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, who will forward them to His Majesty King Hamad for approval.

“His Majesty has the final say in what projects we choose,” explained Dr Al Sayed.

“We don’t waste time with these things. I have every faith that it will be up and running quickly.”

Meanwhile, he acknowledged some people might think the money should be spent on initiatives in Bahrain rather than abroad.

However, he highlighted the incredible hardships faced by displaced people – particularly during the harsh winter months.

“We have to consider that these people are enormously distressed and displaced,” he said.

“We must help our neighbours as much as possible.”

He added that there was still enough money in Bahrain to support worthy causes at home.

“We actually spend more than $20m annually for orphans in Bahrain,” he said.

“We want to fund projects that will do the biggest amount of good.

“Whenever we help one country that is taking in refugees, we alleviate the pressure on others.”

He said there were currently about 389,000 Syrian refugees in Lebanon, 330,000 in Jordan, 163,000 in Turkey and 77,000 in Iraq.

Dr Al Sayed added that work had already started on the 500 shelters being paid for by Bahrain and people would move in as soon as they were ready.

“We’ve issued directives to house people as soon as each shelter is built,” he said.

“We won’t be waiting for the official opening to help the people.”
laala@gdn.com.bh