Refugee and Migrant Health Setting the Scene

Moving towards a common understanding of the public health aspects of large-scale migration in

the WHO European Region

Dr Santino SeveroniCoordinator, Public Health and Migration

Division of Policy and Governance for Health and Well-being

A challenge for the Region? 77 millions of migrants are living in the WHO European Region,

8% of its population

1 in 12 residents is a migrant

820,318 refugees and migrants crossed the

Mediterranean in 2015 so far(UNHCR)

Increasing number of families with young

children, pregnant women and elderly

Migration associated to emergency situations:

conflicts, economic crises, natural disasters, manmade disasters,

climate changes

Refugees and Migrants across the Region

Proxy estimates for the number of labour migrants in the WHO European

Region, 2013 Refugees in Europe, 2014

Source: HEN ReportsSource: HEN Reports

Health issues rising from Migration• Health risks, exposure to hazards and public health

implications for migrants and resident community; special attention to vulnerable groups.

• Health status of refugees and migrants: changing health profile, CDs & NCDs, re-emerging neglected diseases.

• Health systems’ preparedness, enhancement of capacity, and economic impact.

• Multisectoral public health and migration contingency planning, public health risk communication strategy.

• Access to health services and health-system barriers (cultural, social and linguistic); strengthening of cultural mediation and translation services.

• Migrant health training for health and non-health staff.• Identification of a migrant health focal point within the

Ministry of Health.

Public Health Aspects of Migration (PHAME) Project

Agenda for sustainable

development

WHO Europe – public health approach to migration

Reduce excess mortality and morbidity.Minimize negative impact of the migration process.Avoid disparities in health status and access.Ensure refugees and migrants’ health rights.

Health 2020

Review of SDH and the health divide in the WHO European

Region

WHA 61.17

WHO Europe Region Response

• Establish information systems to assess migrant health;• Share information on best practices;• Migrant-sensitive data

• Advise Member States on migrant-sensitive health policies;• Strengthen health system capacity to meet the health needs of

refugees and migrants and the host populations.

• Evidence-based technical guidance to strengthen and scale up service provision and care in countries for refugees and migrants

Assessment missionsAssessment toolTraining

Situation assessment reports NewsletterWebsite

Normative

Evidence and Research

Technical

Support in Emergency and Crisis Situations

Migration, a coordinated and collaborative action

Social Affairs

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Inter-regional

Intercountry

UN Agencies

EC

Migration and HealthHealth

Foreign Affairs

Education

Labour

The Way Forward

RC64: Technical briefing on

Migration and Health

RC65: Ministerial lunch and

Technical Briefing on Migration and

Health

High-level Meeting on Refugee and

Migrant Health

RC66: Migration and Health,

agenda item for discussion

SCRC agrees to hold a preliminary

discussion at RC65 before a formal

discussion at RC66

Development of regional policy documentation to be submitted and discussed at RC66

2014 2015 2016