The phenomenon of forced migration dates back to the beginning of human history. In our time, however, it has become one of the world’s major problems. Since 1945 a virtual epidemic of armed conflict, both within and between nations, has created vast numbers of asylum seekers, refugees and displaced persons. This has led in turn to increasing involvement on the part of professional care workers and agencies, both governmental and non-governmental. In the last two decades, the provision of appropriate mental health care for the victims of organized violence has become a major focus of concern
