A strategy to improve the health and well-being of refugees, migrants, internally displaced persons and other displaced groups in the Eastern Mediterranean region – World

WHO Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean

Executive summary

Substitution is rapidly becoming a global phenomenon. According to the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), 89.3 million people worldwide were displaced at the end of 2021, which is equal to 1 in every 88 people in the world. The Eastern Mediterranean region is the WHO region with the highest number of refugees and internally displaced persons. In 2021, more than half of all the world’s refugees (27.1 million) came from the region, primarily from the Syrian Arab Republic (6.8 million) and Afghanistan (2.7 million), along with 5.8 million refugees in United Nations mandates. Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA). The number of IDPs in the region has also been steadily increasing in recent decades, reaching 21.1 million in 2021 (41% of the world total).

In May 2017, the World Health Assembly, in resolution WHA70.15 on promoting the health of refugees and migrants, called on member states to strengthen international cooperation on the health of refugees and migrants in line with the New York Declaration on Refugees and Migrants. consider the possibility of providing necessary health assistance through bilateral and international cooperation to countries hosting and hosting large numbers of refugees and migrants. This resolution was the starting point for the development of a draft Global Action Plan on Refugee and Migrant Health (2019–2023) based on best practices, experiences and lessons learned in promoting the health of refugees and migrants in each WHO region.

Reiterating these WHO and UN commitments to prioritize the health of refugees and migrants on the international and regional agenda, a series of regional meetings and consultations were held to develop a regional strategy to promote the health of migrants, refugees and other displaced persons in the Eastern Mediterranean region. populations. In 2022, the final consultations on the draft regional strategy convened by the World Health Organization were held in Cairo, with several follow-up activities with member states in the region.

The main objective of the strategy is to improve regional health by addressing the health and well-being of refugees, migrants, IDPs and other displaced groups as part of an integrated effort to respond to the health needs of the general population in any setting. given parameter. This goal can only be achieved through inclusive national health policies, strategies and plans, as well as emergency response, addressing the social determinants of health and strong partnerships.

· Strategic objective 1. Include refugees, migrants, IDPs and other displaced groups in national health policies, strategies and plans This objective aims to ensure sustainability and continuity of services through people-centred and age- and gender-based approaches. These refugees, migrants,
IDPs and other displaced groups. To ensure that national health policies, strategies and plans are evidence-based, countries should include refugees and migrants in integrated surveillance and routine health information systems. In addition, WHO should work to promote public health research and promote good policies and practices among refugees, migrants, IDPs and other displaced groups.

· Strategic objective 2. Respond in a timely and effective manner to the needs of refugees, migrants, IDPs and other displaced groups in emergencies This objective aims to ensure that refugees and migrants have continuous access to humanitarian assistance. In emergencies, it is essential that the health needs of refugees and migrants are addressed through a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach, in accordance with international treaties and conventions. Displacement is a natural phenomenon caused by a conflict or natural disaster during an emergency. It is essential that basic services (such as continuity of health services, provision of life-saving medical equipment, timely response to potential outbreaks, and response to immediate trauma needs) are provided to all populations, including displaced persons. It is also important to have a good risk communication and community engagement plan in place to ensure that proven public health practices are followed. In all phases of emergency and disaster risk management, including mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery, the needs of refugees and migrants must be adequately addressed.

· Strategic Objective 3. Address the social determinants of health affecting the health and well-being of refugees, migrants, IDPs and other displaced groups This objective aims to promote and contribute to addressing the social determinants of health affecting refugee health outcomes. , to improve population health for migrants, IDPs and other displaced groups as well as host communities. This can only be achieved through health protection programs that guarantee refugees and migrants the same protection as citizens, including environmental, food, toxicological and occupational health and safety management and access to security systems. It also requires increased capacity for health promotion and disease prevention among refugees, migrants, IDPs and other displaced groups through population and community interventions. Community participation will also be important in supporting measures to improve risk communication, social mobilization and outreach.

· 4th strategic goal. Strengthening partnerships to improve the health and well-being of refugees, migrants, IDPs and other displaced groups This goal aims to improve and coordinate partnerships across all levels and sectors.

A whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach must be taken to ensure that refugees, migrants, IDPs and other displaced groups have access to a continuum of care throughout their migration journey. This approach is based on ensuring that refugees, migrants, refugees and other displaced groups are seen as a collective responsibility, so partnership is an important foundation that must be maintained in the implementation of all strategic objectives. This is especially important in countries with protracted emergencies and neighboring countries that have hosted refugees for years. This strategic objective is intended to complement all other objectives of the strategy, to facilitate coordination among United Nations partners, Member States, civil society, academia and donors, and to ensure collective responsibility to protect people’s right to access to health care. services. WHO, together with other international organizations, plays a leading role in setting and coordinating the health of refugees and migrants on the international agenda.