A regional workshop on mental health and psychosocial support in emergencies was organized by the World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean in Jordan, from 12 to 14 December 2009. The workshop was intended to be the first workshop in a series of workshops to initiate implementation of the Interagency Standing Committee Guidelines for Mental Health and Psychosocial Support in Emergencies (2007) in the Region and to build capacity in Member States for the implementation of the guidelines in an operational environment.  

The meeting was attended by coordinators of emergency preparedness and humanitarian activities in Member States facing emergencies, government officials from Member States responsible for emergency preparedness and response, including from Ministries of Health, representatives of the Red Crescent/Red Cross Societies, staff from the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, WHO country offices and nongovernmental organizations involved in emergency response.