Experience of the Air Medical Evacuation Team of Serbian Armed Forces in the United Nations Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo--Deployment stress and psychological adaptation.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Wars of the nineties in former Yugoslavia, Somalia, Rwanda imposed new tasks to the United Nations (UN) forces, such as providing humanitarian aid, protection of civilians, peacekeeping, and in many instances providing armed enforcement of peace. The aim of this study was an observational analysis of Serbian participation in the UNs Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo with the emphasis on stress and coping techniques.

METHODS: Serbian contribution in this mission dates back to April 2003 till the present days with a military contingent consisting of six members as a part of Air Medical Evacuation Team. The observed stressogenous factors acted before arrival to the mission area and in the mission area. In this paper we analysed ways to overcome them.

RESULTS: The productive ways of overwhelming stress used in this mission were: honesty and openness in interpersonal communications, dedication to work, maintaining discipline and order, strict following of appropriate regime of work, diet, rest and recreation; regular communication with family and organizing and participation in various social, cultural and sports manifestations.

CONCLUSION: This analysis indicates that out of all the observed factors, the most important is appropriate selection of personnel.