The more than 70 million migrants living across international borders in the WHO Region of the Americas will benefit from a joint agreement between WHO Regional office for the Americas (WHO/PAHO) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM). The agreement will focus on increasing and scaling-up interventions that address barriers to health care and the disproportionate impact of COVID-19 on migrant populations.
Under the agreement, WHO and IOM will focus on scaling up coordinated interventions to support countries in the Americas in addressing health and migration, while leaving no one behind. It will also ensure greater advocacy for the inclusion of the specific needs of migrants in health and development policy throughout the region, both in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond.
Migrant health is compounded by precarious living conditions and a lack of access to basic services such as water, sanitation and nutrition.
The new agreement aims to improve access to health for this vulnerable population and support countries in border health, including in emergency preparedness and response. It also aims to enhance action across sectors, including education, social welfare and protection to better plan health interventions with a short-, medium-, and long-term vision.
WHO thanks all donors and partners who have contributed to fund the Strategic Preparedness and Response Plan to combat COVID-19. A special appreciation goes to Member States and other contributors who provided flexible funds, making it possible for WHO to deliver a coherent, strategic and broad response.
The original story about WHO and IOM’s partnership to improve migrant health in the Americas is available in English , Portuguese and Spanish.