Despite fragmented evidence on individual interventions, good practice and child welfare programmes in low and middle-income countries (LMIC), there is no comprehensive model for early interventions, particularly for children who experience complex trauma.

The objective of the World Awareness for Children in Trauma (WACIT: www.wacit.org) is to develop an evidence-based psychosocial model for vulnerable children in low and middle-income countries with limited or no access to specialist resources.

The aim of the preliminary evaluation was to establish stakeholders’ views on the extent of need, socio-cultural context, service gaps, and recommendations for improvement and creation of working partnerships. This consisted of four studies:

– 1. Participatory workshops in six countries (Turkey, Pakistan, Indonesia, Kenya, Rwanda, Brazil) with a total 250 strategic and operational stakeholders;

– 2. Quantitative evaluation in two of these countries (Turkey, 32 participants; and Brazil, 80 participants);

– 3. Interviews with 17 stakeholders from the six countries;

– 4. Focus groups with 7 children, 7 parents, 9 teachers and 11 other professionals in one country (Kenya).

Findings indicated that lack of resources (funding, facilities, training and personnel), poor collaboration (between church, families, government, schools and community), impaired parenting, socio-economic challenges and limited knowledge on child mental health as key factors that impede interventions.

The findings have informed the next phase of the WACIT programme in developing sustainable networks, training, and culturally appropriate interventions in the participating LMIC.

The author has not supplied his/her declaration of competing interest.