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Mental Health and Psychosocial Support - MHPSS Surge Mechanism

The content of this page has been checked on 11 August 2026

Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) experts are deployed to assist in relief efforts for a few weeks up to several months during or after a humanitarian crisis. MHPSS gives mental health and psychosocial support in armed conflict, refugee crises and natural disasters. Would you like to assist in relief efforts?

MHPSS Expert pool

We are looking for experts to support interagency coordination on MHPSS in humanitarian crises. Please register if you are considering working as an expert for MHPSS. Expert tasks may include:

  • set up, temporarily run or support (sub-)national MHPSS technical working groups,
  • set up monitoring, evaluation and learning structures,
  • conduct 4Ws mappings (Who is Where, When, doing What),
  • make an MHPSS situational analysis of humanitarian response.

We will base requests for support upon the terms of reference of the requesting organisations, where you can find specific requirements for each position. Language skills and knowledge of the local context are an asset. Before departure, experts need to sign the Code of Conduct and complete the following basic online courses provided by the United Nations:

  • BSAFE safety course, and
  • the Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA).

Sign up as an MHPSS expert

Are you an expert on MHPSS? Then, sign up as an expert. If you register for the pool of experts, the database will store your CV and contact details. After your registration, you will receive information about our deployments and training courses.

Compensations for MHPSS experts

The Netherlands Enterprise Agency will compensate the experts for their expenses. This includes:

  • costs for flights (economy class, without upgrades),
  • required vaccinations,
  • a medical check if the requesting organisation requires one,
  • accommodation (actual costs), and
  • daily allowance for food and other expenses (DSA).

The daily fee is based on working experience and the United Nations pay grade system. The daily fee is €300 for work and travel days.

MHPSS offers business insurance and psychosocial support before, during and after their deployment through the Antares Foundation.

Responsible Business Conduct (RBC)

Your project must follow the international Responsible Business Conduct (RBC) guidelines. We take RBC into account when assessing your funding application. We ask you to:

  • follow OECD guidelines;
  • show how you conduct your operations following these OECD guidelines;
  • carry out a proper risk analysis of social and environmental risks;
  • state the measures to prevent and reduce these risks.

During the project, you must report on RBC risks and state the measures you are taking or plan to take to prevent and reduce these risks.

Dutch companies must complete an RBC self-assessment as part of the application process. The Dutch government uses this scan to check whether a company is aware of and follows the OECD guidelines. This assessment is a requirement for approval of your project.

On our website, you can read more about RBC and due diligence.

Looking for MHPSS experts?

International humanitarian organisations interested in deploying MHPSS experts can email mhpss@rvo.nl.

More information

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs finances the MHPSS Surge Mechanism. The Netherlands Enterprise Agency carries out the programme in close cooperation with the Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC) Reference Group on MHPSS in Emergency Settings.

On the Development Cooperation Projects database, you can find an overview of projects we carry out in development cooperation. You can filter by location, sector, programme and more.

MHPSS Surge Mechanism

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People lose their sense of safety,

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trust and hope

when disaster and conflict strike.

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Timely and effective support

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is essential for their recovery

after a disaster.

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1 in 5 people

still experience mental health issues.

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Stress, anxiety, or trauma

make it difficult to work, learn,

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or care for others

without appropriate support.

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People cannot fully recover,

which increases the risk of new tensions

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or conflicts.

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In these situations, mental health

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and psychosocial support MHPSS

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offers a solution.

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When people feel mentally resilient,

they can contribute

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to their community again.

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Children learn better.

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Communities can work together

towards reconciliation.

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Investing in MHPSS is viable,

scalable, and simple.

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It boosts the impact of other investments

and indirectly strengthens

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education, health

care, and economic development.

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MHPSS uses proven interventions

at various levels,

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from supporting communities

to providing specialized care.

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Targeted training and coordination

can have

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a significant impact in just a few months.

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The MHPSS Surge Mechanism achieves

this impact.

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International experts

provide temporary support to countries

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in crisis situations

and with capacity training.

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We foster learning and scalability.

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The system is in place.

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The network works.

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The impact of the MHPSS Surge

Mechanism has been proven.

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Investing in MHPSS and the Surge Mechanism

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is investing in resilience,

stability and lasting peace.

Commissioned by:
  • Ministry of Foreign Affairs

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