On World Refugee Day 2024, the World Health Organization (WHO) joined forces with UNHCR and partners to emphasize the importance of building refugee-sensitive health systems. With over 110 million individuals forcibly displaced worldwide, 40% of whom are children, WHO stresses the need for solidarity and health equity.
WHO highlights the resilience and contributions of refugees, who serve as healthcare professionals, cultural mediators, and advocates for equitable access. The organization emphasizes the importance of including refugees in decision-making processes, enhancing service quality and cultural competence.
Despite facing poorer health outcomes due to substandard living conditions, refugees are not inherently less healthy. WHO prioritizes their right to timely, accessible, and dignified healthcare, crucial for achieving health for all.
The organization has made significant contributions to refugee health promotion, including leading global advocacy efforts, setting standards, generating evidence, and fostering partnerships. Examples include the Rabat Declaration, a global commitment to improving health for refugees and migrants, and the development of refugee and migrant health competency standards for health workers.
WHO also celebrates the power of storytelling through its Health for All Film Festival, awarding films that champion inclusive healthcare access and refugee resilience. The organization looks forward to the Fifth Global School on the Health of Refugees and Migrants, which will bring together diverse stakeholders to share knowledge and best practices.
WHO calls for a collective approach to addressing the health needs of refugees, emphasizing the importance of solidarity, inclusivity, and international cooperation. By working together, we can create a healthier, more equitable world for all.
WHO/Ruth Abla ADJORLOLO
