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The works of the War Trauma Conference 2026 began on Saturday in Amman, under the patronage of Her Highness Princess Ghida Talal, Chairperson of the Board of Trustees of the King Hussein Cancer Foundation and Center.
The conference is held over two days with the participation of more than 40 regional and international speakers, alongside mental health and healthcare specialists, humanitarian workers, researchers, and people working directly with communities affected by wars.
The conference is held under the slogan 'What if there is no 'after' for post-traumatic stress disorder?', and it explores how to respond to psychological trauma when conflict, displacement, loss, and insecurity persist, linking clinical research, real-world experiences, and culturally based therapeutic approaches.
Princess Ghida said in her speech: 'There is no health without mental health, and mental health cannot be achieved without integrated systems, specialized expertise, and a safe environment capable of addressing psychological trauma. For cancer patients coming from Gaza to the King Hussein Cancer Center, cancer treatment heals only one aspect of their suffering; but within them are psychological traumas that no one should bear. We are here today because we reject this injustice.'
Alexandra Chen, Founder and CEO of the Sunrise of Hope Foundation and Founder of the 'Healing for Gaza' initiative, said: 'Our meeting today stems from deep pain for a child who has lost everything due to war trauma, asking: 'Is my life still worth living?' It is our duty to help children and their communities answer this question with a resounding yes, by providing safe, effective, and dignified means of recovery. The urgency of this work should drive us to innovate and collaborate, weaving light and hope into the lives of children for generations to come.'
The conference includes several experts, including Palestinian psychiatrist Samah Jabri; trauma psychologist and researcher Bessel van der Kolk; Palestinian public health researcher Sawsan Abdul Rahim; psychiatrist and internist Nasri Jasir; and Richard Schwartz, founder of the 'Internal Family Systems' model.
The conference continues until September 20, featuring keynote speeches and specialized sessions addressing the effects of war trauma on children, families, and frontline workers, the limits of traditional PTSD frameworks, and culturally appropriate therapeutic approaches.
An evening charity dinner for Gaza, under the patronage of Her Highness Princess Ghida, will also be held, featuring a special speech by Dr. Ghassan Abu Sateh and a live performance by Palestinian singer, composer, and flutist Nay Barghouti. Ticket proceeds will support the psychological services provided by the 'Healing for Gaza' initiative to children, families, and frontline workers affected by the war.
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