In May 2026, MSF supported a one-week Play Therapy training in Kule Refugee Camp, Ethiopia, for counsellors, nurses, and other healthcare staff working with children under 5.
Play Therapy is an important psychosocial support intervention that helps young children affected by displacement, illness, and stress to express their emotions, strengthen relationship with caregivers, and supports their developmental well-being as well as adherence to treatment.
This training aimed to strengthen staff capacity to integrate play-based activities into healthcare services, including children at the Intensive Therapeutic Feeding Center (ITFC). At the ITFC children receive treatment for severe acute malnutrition.
By creating a supportive and stimulating environment, play therapy complements medical and nutritional care and can actually contribute to an improved recovery outcome for such young children.