Healing Under Fire
The beginning
In 2013 an independent network of committed physicians, diplomats and practitioners join forces to explore actions for the prevention and abatement of violence in conflicts through working directly with local (in-country) physicians. The network chose the name the Rugiagli Initiative after the location in Tuscany where the first meeting was held. Since the beginning 4change acted as the enabling partner for the implementation of activities.
Development of the idea
Initial efforts were focused on identifying and implementing a pilot project to test and verify assumptions. This led to the implementation of a project in South Thailand where health workers across the conflict line were brought together to explore initiatives to make health more accessible to all, deal effectively with ethical dilemmas and to create space for mutual understanding among communities in conflict. The work developed in South Thailand resulted in a publication released at the end of 2014: Healing Under Fire, available online.
Field missions
In 2015, 4change took over the experience of the Rugiagli Initiative with the aim of expanding its activities maintaining its core vision and values. Exploratory missions to assess potentials for health and violence reduction related activities have been carried out in Myanmar, along the Syrian border in Turkey and Lebanon and in Iraqi Kurdistan.
Healing Under Fire Team
The network that founded the Rugiagli Initiative is still in different capacities providing advice, assistance and support to the project.