WHO advocates for specific actions to achieve this:
- Reorient health systems into integrated and inclusive health services and programmes for migrants, in line with the principles of primary health care and universal health coverage, keeping people healthy in all life stages, not only when they are sick.
- Address the root causes that may affect the well-being of migrants, including social determinants of health, such as poor housing and working conditions, lack of education, inadequate access to clean water and sanitation, food insecurity, and vulnerability to violence.
- Invest in comprehensive data collection and monitor health determinants, status and outcomes of migrants to assess accountability for progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and other goals and global targets.
- Promote high-quality global research, strengthen knowledge production, and build research capacity to understand and address the health needs of migrants and shape responsive policies and practices worldwide.
- Remove barriers to universal health coverage (UHC), including discrimination, cultural and language factors, and unaffordable costs, ensuring that migrants, including those in irregular situations, receive legal and social protection through national health systems and insurance schemes.
- Include migrants in national public health strategies, including preparedness and response, as equitable and appropriate health services for all migrants yield positive outcomes for the society as a whole.
- Address the shortage or lack of health professionals, services, and programmes that can cater to the cultural and linguistic needs of migrants, such as training competent health care professionals who can provide culturally sensitive care.
- Build sustainable, consultative structures and mechanisms that optimize migrants’ involvement in health projects.
Migration is a fact of life and a force for good. It promotes the exchange of knowledge and ideas and contributes to economic growth. It enables millions of people to pursue opportunities and improve their lives.
At the same time, poorly governed migration is a cause of great suffering. It forces people into the cruel realm of traffickers, where they face exploitation, abuse, and even death. It undermines trust in governance and institutions, inflames social tensions, and corrodes our common humanity.
On International Migrants Day, we highlight the urgent need for safe migration governance rooted in solidarity, partnership, and respect for human rights.
Five years ago, the international community adopted the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly, and Regular Migration. This has become an important reference point and resource for Member States to assess actions, enhance cooperation, and expand rights-based pathways for migration.
Yet such measures remain the exception, not the norm. Today and every day, we must work towards a more humane and orderly management of migration for the benefit of all, including communities of origin, transit, and destination.
Together, let us secure a safer and more prosperous future for all.
United Nations Secretary-General.
EVENTS: On December 18th, the UN Migration, the UN Special Rapporteur on the Human Rights of Migrants and the specialized agencies will host a webinar to mark the International Migrants Day 2023 from the IOM Headquater in Switzerland. The World Health Organization (WHO) will join the International Organization for Migration (IOM), along with global partners and communities to hold an event that will not only celebrate migrants but also willl serve as a catalyst for advocating their rights and uniting the global community in harnessing the transformative power of migration.
FESTIVAL: Health for All Film Festival - In 2024, WHO will continue to celebrate the power of audiovisual storytelling for health with all those interested in public health narratives! The 5th Health for All Film Festival calls for submissions from 1 November 2023 to 31 January 2024. This year, there is a Special Migrants and Refugees Health Film Prize. We invite public health institutions from around the world, nongovernmental organizations, communities, activists and students in public health, film schools, and other relevant domains to submit their original short films that shed light on the impact of migration and displacement on the physical and mental health and well-being of people on the move. Short films can also raise awareness on the rights and unique health needs of these populations, and showcase how access to health care for these populations contributes to their better health and well-being. Independent filmmakers, production companies, and TV broadcasters are also invited to participate. A multilingual social media kit with visuals is also available at the bottom of the page to further promote this call and invite submissions of short films on migrants and refugees health before 31 January 2024. For more information on how to apply, please visit the Health for All Film Festival website.
From November 27th to December 1st 2023 was held the Fourth WHO Global School on Refugee and Migrant Health. On the first four days, technical discussions will focus on core sub-themes under the overarching umbrella of the social determinants of migrant health: Health literacy - Recording; Working conditions - Recording; Housing and living conditions - Recording; Food and nutrition - Recording. The last day will be devoted to a panel discussion on the overarching topic of this year's school. [Recording].The full programme of the School is available here.
STATEMENTS: Watch the video statement of Mrs. Amy Pope, IOM Diretor-General on International Migrant’s Day 2023; December 18th.
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