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76th World Health Assembly side event: Working en bloc for the health of refugees and migrants: are we there yet? [1]

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Date: 2023-05-24

Organizers: Government of Mexico, Government of Portugal, and the World Health Organization (WHO), with the participation of the International Organization for Migration (IOM)

The number of international migrants and forcibly displaced individuals reached record levels during the past decade and continues to rise. Displacement and migration are key determinants of health for refugees and migrants, and they also affect the populations of countries along the migratory pathway. Increased population movement has profound impacts on health systems in all countries touched by displacement and migration, for both migrant and host populations. Addressing the health needs of populations on the move is also integral to public health principles and is in line with the right to health for all people living within a country’s borders.

The improvement of the health of refugees and migrants needs partnership and international cooperation among countries as well as with the United Nations system. Addressing the complexity of migration and displacement should be based on values of solidarity, humanity and sustainable development.

The health sector has a key role to play in ensuring that the health aspects of migration and displacement are considered in the context of broader government policy and in engaging and coordinating with other sectors to find joint solutions that benefit the health of refugees and migrants, including civil society, the private sector, refugee and migrant associations and the affected populations themselves.

At the World Health Assembly in 2019, Member States agreed to a five-year global action plan to promote the health of refugees and migrants (WHO GAP). Created in alignment with global frameworks, the WHO GAP asserts the need for improving the health and well-being of refugees and migrants by focusing on achieving UHC and the highest attainable standard of health for all populations.

The 152nd Executive Board (2023) endorsed a decision to extend the WHO GAP until 2030 and recommended it to the 76th World Health Assembly for adoption. In its decision, Member States recognized the importance of the WHO GAP in advancing and coordinating WHO’s work on refugee and migrant health, highlighting that it must collaborate with IOM, UNHCR and other relevant international organizations and partners, avoiding duplication. It also noted its contribution to meeting the targets set in the Sustainable Development Goals, including those of 08/5/2022 Goals 3, 5 and 10, as well as the objectives of the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration and the Global Compact on Refugees.

This side event aims to reflect on challenges and opportunities to improve collaboration among partners to advance global, regional and national commitments regarding the health of refugees and migrants. It will voice promising practices and experiences, with strong governance models and several lessons learned from the implementation of practices, and collaboration across organizations, governments and other stakeholders. It will build on the discussion upon the extension of the WHO GAP until 2030.

Objectives:

Reflect on challenges and opportunities to improve collaboration among partners toward the health of refugees and migrants.

Present recent examples of action taken by States to promote the health of refugees and migrants in a synergetic way.

Galvanize action to advance political multilateral commitments on refugee and migrant health and other relevant policy developments.

Audience:

Member State Representatives (who are attending WHA); UN organizations; academia; civil society representatives; relevant community members.

Speakers:

H.E. Dr Margarida Tavares, Deputy Minister of Health Promotion, Portugal

Dr Santino Severoni, Director, Health and Migration programme, WHO

H.E. Dr. José Ruales, Minister of Health of Ecuador

H.E. Dr Maria Rosario Singh-Vergeire, Minister of Health OIC-Secretary of the Philippines

Dr Ailan Li, Assistant Director-General, Universal Health Coverage/Healthier Populations, WHO

Mrs Ugochi Daniels, Deputy Director-General for Operations, IOM

Mr Xavier Castellanos, Under Secretary-General for national society development and operations coordination, International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC)

H.E. Francisca Méndez Escobar, Permanent Representative of Mexico to the United Nations, Geneva

Moderator: Kate Dodson, Vice President, Global Health, UN Foundation

[END]
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[1] Url: https://www.who.int/news-room/events/detail/2023/05/24/default-calendar/76th-world-health-assembly-side-event--working-en-bloc-for-the-health-of-refugees-and-migrants--are-we-there-yet

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