Trauma Aid UK was formerly known as Humanitarian Assistance Programmes (HAP) UK and Ireland.
EMDR humanitarian programmes are part of a worldwide movement that began in 1995 in response to the Oklahoma City bombing in the United States. One hundred volunteer clinicians who were trained in EMDR therapy provided pro bono treatment for the bombing victims and front-line responders, of whom 80% benefitted within three treatment sessions. They went on to provide free trainings in EMDR therapy for clinicians. The feedback was so positive that a not-for-profit organisation was soon established, which is now called Trauma Recovery, EMDR Humanitarian Assistance Programs. This organisation has coordinated projects throughout the U.S. (such as 9/11 and hurricane Katrina) and internationally in more than 30 countries.
Under the umbrella organisation, HAP Europe, organisations providing EMDR humanitarian assistance programmes developed in various countries such as Germany, Spain, Italy, France, Holland and the UK. These HAP organisations have taken EMDR to communities affected by the consequences of psychological trauma, with projects in China, Indonesia, Ukraine, India, Palestine, Pakistan, South America and Cuba and led to EMDR becoming increasingly well-known across several continents. British representatives have worked with international colleagues on projects in India, Palestine and Jordan.
One of the goals of EMDR HAP programmes is to promote the development of EMDR in the countries we are helping. The aim is for the provision of EMDR to become locally sustainable, with the provision of EMDR training sessions, professional accreditation and professional development.
EMDR Asia is an international professional organisation which was launched in July 2010 in Bali. EMDR Asia is the culmination of HAP projects in India, Pakistan, Indonesia and China. The next major goal for HAP will be to establish an EMDR Association in the Middle East and an EMDR Africa Association.
In 2016, HAP Europe changed its name to Trauma Aid Europe and we became known as Trauma Aid UK.
As an independent organisation, Trauma Aid UK began its first overseas project in Bosnia-Hercegovina in 2009 which is an ongoing project. In 2013, Trauma Aid UK expanded to run a project in the Middle East, in response to the ongoing conflict in the region.
Trauma Aid UK is keen to expand our training programme to include not only overseas work but also to work nationally. Our growth requires resources in terms of money and time and for this we need the support of our members.