WHO and UNHCR Join Forces to Improve Health Services

The agreement updates and expands on an existing 1997 agreement between the two organizations. A key objective this year will be to support ongoing efforts to protect some 70 million COVID-19 forcibly displaced persons. About 26 million of them are refugees, 80% of whom are housed in low- and middle-income countries with weak health systems. Another 40 million displaced people also need help.

For more than 20 years, UNHCR and WHO have worked together around the world to protect the health of some of the world’s most vulnerable populations. They collaborated to provide health services to refugees in all regions – from the onset of an emergency and for protracted situations, constantly advocating for the inclusion of refugees and stateless persons in national public health plans host countries.

Today, the two organizations are working side by side to stop the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic and ensure that forcibly displaced people can access the health services they need to protect themselves from COVID-19. and other health problems.

“UNHCR’s long-term partnership with WHO is essential to fight the coronavirus pandemic and other emergencies – day by day, it improves and saves the lives of millions of people forced to flee their homes,” said Filippo, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Grandi. “Our enhanced partnership will directly benefit refugees, asylum seekers, displaced persons and stateless persons. It leads to better emergency response and will make the best use of the resources of our two organizations for public health solutions in all our operations around the world. ”

“The principle of solidarity and the goal of serving vulnerable people underpin the work of our two organizations,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of WHO. “We stand side by side in our commitment to protect the health of all those who have been forced to leave their homes and to ensure that they can access health services when and where they need them.” The current pandemic only underscores the vital importance of working together so that we can do more. ”

During Thursday’s signature, the UNHCR also joined the COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund. The Fund was launched on March 13 and has so far raised $ 214 million. The first of its kind, the Fund enables individuals, businesses, and organizations worldwide to contribute directly to the global response led by WHO to help countries prevent, detect and respond to COVID-19.

A contribution of $ 10 million from the Solidarity Response Fund will support UNHCR’s work on urgent needs such as risk communication and community engagement around hygiene practices; the provision of medical and hygiene supplies and the establishment of isolation units in countries such as Jordan, Kenya, Lebanon, South Sudan and Uganda. The funds will also support innovative global readiness activities.

“By partnering with the Solidarity Response Fund, UNHCR can work in the field with WHO to better ensure that measures for public health preparedness, prevention and response to COVID-19 are in place and that ‘Much-needed aid can reach refugees, displaced people and their host communities,’ said Grandi.

Solidarity response fund

The Fund was launched at the request of WHO by the United Nations Foundation and the Swiss Philanthropy Foundation in mid-March and is only the means for businesses and individuals to contribute directly to the work of the WHO and partners in the field, and the quickest way to get resources. where they are most urgent. More than $ 100 million from the Fund has already been disbursed, ensuring early vital work in the long struggle against the pandemic.

UNHCR

UNHCR, the United Nations Refugee Agency, is taking international action to protect those forced to flee their homes due to conflict and persecution. We provide vital assistance such as shelter, food and water, help protect basic human rights and develop solutions that guarantee people a safe place to call home where they can build a better future. We are also working to ensure that stateless persons obtain a nationality.

UNHCR is taking action to help respond to the public health emergency of COVID-19 and prevent its spread. In collaboration with governments, UNHCR ensures that refugees are included in national health response plans and are well informed on how to prevent the spread of COVID-19, have access to soap and clean water and continue to receive vital help and assistance they need.

The World Health Organization

The World Health Organization provides global leadership in public health within the United Nations system. Founded in 1948, WHO works with 194 Member States, in six regions, and in more than 150 offices, to promote health, keep the world safe and serve the vulnerable. Our goal for 2019-2023 is to ensure that one billion more people have universal health coverage, to protect one billion more people from health emergencies, and to provide one billion more people with better health and better well-being.

Source: WHO