Thanks to contingency funding from European Union (EU) financial support, the WHO Country Office in Turkey was able to distribute 100 000 surgical masks, 8000 FFP2 masks, 3000 pairs of goggles, 4500 coveralls and 250 thermometers to 28 migrant centres. Collaboration with the Turkish Directorate General of Migration Management (DGMM) was instrumental in procuring these supplies.
The EU’s work with WHO is an important step to help protect these vulnerable populations who are at higher risk of COVID-19 infection, unless protection is provided.
The centres’ normal capacity is 20 000 people, but 2019 figures show that 450 000 irregular migrants arrived in Turkey in the last year alone.
This initiative is aligned with WHO/Europe’s European Programme of Work (EPW), “United Action for Better Health”. It also supports WHO’s 13th General Programme of Work (GPW 13), by setting out a vision for how WHO/Europe can better support countries in meeting expectations on health for the future.
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.
Learn more about how WHO with the support of the EU is protecting migrants from COVID-19 in Turkey
Read more about WHO’s response to COVID-19