UNHCR alert regarding World Health Day

Malaria, respiratory infections and lack of access to neonatal care are the main causes of death among refugee populations. In 2023 alone, the UN Refugee Agency provided medical assistance to 5.5 million displaced people, but access to basic healthcare is still insufficient.

The number of humanitarian crises continues to increase and their impact on people’s health is increasingly devastating. The United Nations estimates that 300 million people will require humanitarian assistance and protection in 2024, with around half of these (165.7 million) requiring urgent medical assistance. Last year alone, UNHCR provided health support to 5.5 million displaced people, of which 595,000 had access to mental health services and psychosocial support, 784,000 women and girls received reproductive and sexual health care and 160 thousand children between 6 months and 5 years of age required treatment due to symptoms of malnutrition.

“When someone is forced to flee, health care ends up being put on the back burner”, explains Joana Feliciano, Head of Marketing and Communications for Portugal with UNHCR. “For this reason, refugees, particularly children, are at higher risk of contracting serious illnesses, which are often preventable if they had access to primary medical care, such as vaccination,” she adds.

According to UNHCR, the three main causes of morbidity among refugees are malaria (17%), upper respiratory tract infections (18%) and lower respiratory tract infections (6%). Among displaced children under five years of age, the main causes of death are neonatal deaths (31%), malaria (8.3%) and lower respiratory tract infections (5.6%). A very worrying situation, as Joana Feliciano reveals: “In 2023, the UNHCR was aware of some frightening trends, including the increase in infant mortality, the decrease in vaccination coverage for children, the increase in cases of malaria, dengue fever and cholera, a greater prevalence of malnutrition and a growing need for mental health and psychosocial support services”.

The growth of non-communicable diseases, such as heart disease, cancer, diabetes, chronic respiratory diseases and mental health problems, is another threat facing the displaced and refugee population. These diseases were responsible for a significant proportion of all deaths in the main countries of origin of refugees under UNHCR mandate: 75% in Syria, 92% in Ukraine, 50% in Afghanistan and 28% in South Sudan. “People in the context of humanitarian emergencies are at an increased risk of contracting non-communicable diseases, as forced displacement can disrupt the treatment of these diseases or delay their diagnosis due to limited access to healthcare, placing refugees in an even more complex situation”, warns Portugal’s Marketing and Communications Manager with UNHCR.

However, the care and treatment of non-communicable diseases are rarely included as an integral part of preparedness and response to humanitarian emergencies, which tend to focus on the most immediate needs. “The needs in this area are enormous, but the resources are not. We must find ways to better integrate healthcare for non-communicable diseases into emergency responses, to protect more lives from these preventable tragedies and improve health security,” says the Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO). ), Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

Conflicts and climate change identified as increased risk factors

The current context, with the proliferation of armed conflicts across the globe and the growing impact of climate change, brings new challenges to organizations that seek to guarantee access to quality healthcare for refugees and displaced people. The main cause of death in many conflict and displacement situations is not violence, but the spread of communicable diseases such as malaria, measles and diarrhoea. The effects of climate change are causing an increase in the number of cases of malaria and dengue fever. Globally, an unprecedented number of cholera outbreaks were recorded, which directly affected refugees in 8 countries.

Vaccination and strengthening water and sanitation facilities have been two of the main strategies adopted by UNHCR to combat these communicable diseases. In terms of vaccination, UNHCR has tried to increase the supply and access to vaccines, particularly against measles, polio and tetanus, and to guarantee the full immunization of displaced children. On the issue of water and sanitation, the Organization is building water supply and treatment systems to ensure a sufficient quantity of drinking water and financing the construction of sanitation facilities that capture and contain harmful pathogens.

However, in the countries most affected by conflicts, these measures are insufficient, given the degree of destruction and degradation of health systems. In Mozambique, for example, armed attacks in Cabo Delgado forced the interruption of health services in Chiure, due to fires and looting of medical facilities and the subsequent displacement of health professionals. In Haiti, following last month’s episodes of armed violence, the health situation is dramatic, with a lack of medical supplies and the interruption of HIV and tuberculosis response services. In Sudan, the conflict is worsening the situation of hunger and malnutrition in the country, especially among children, and infectious diseases such as cholera, dengue fever, malaria and measles are spreading, due to the collapse of the health system. In Gaza, the situation is catastrophic, with hospitals becoming true battlefields and without any possibility of ensuring the most basic health, food or protection services.

“As forced displacement increases, we must work to ensure the right to health of refugees, other forcibly displaced people and host communities. Policies and resources must be in place to support the inclusion of refugees in national relief systems health”, argues Filippo Grandi, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. “We must be innovative and work with governments and partners to respond to these challenges.”

About Portugal with UNHCR

Portugal with UNHCR, the national partner of the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR/UNHCR), was born in 2021 and aims to raise awareness and funds to support UNHCR/UNHCR humanitarian aid programs in the areas of nutrition, medical care, water drinking and sanitation, education, shelter and basic infrastructure, legal assistance and international protection, among others.

In the fundraising area, occasional and regular donation campaigns are implemented with people interested and sensitive to the cause, but also partnerships with companies that wish to support and create joint initiatives within the scope of corporate social responsibility. Portugal with UNHCR also intends to raise awareness, educate and raise awareness in the national territory about the situation and needs of refugees and other people supported by this United Nations Agency. UNHCR was founded in 1950, won two Nobel Peace Prizes and is present in more than 135 countries.

About UNHCR

UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR/ UNHCR), is a global organization dedicated to saving lives, protecting rights and building a better future for people forced to flee their homes due to conflict and persecution. It provides life-saving assistance such as shelter, food and water, helps safeguard fundamental human rights and develops solutions that give people a safe place to call home. It works in more than 135 countries to protect and care for millions of people.

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