Health for All: Solidarity with Refugees

On World Refugee Day 2025, the World Health Organization (WHO) stands united with over 123 million forcibly displaced individuals globally. The theme “Solidarity with Refugees” emphasizes that health is not just a privilege but a fundamental human right—integral to dignity, protection, and inclusion. WHO calls for immediate action to enhance inclusive and resilient health systems that ensure no one is left behind.

The Reality of Protracted Displacement

As conflicts and disasters continue to drive people from their homes, many refugees experience prolonged periods of displacement, often exceeding a decade. Over 70% of refugees reside in low- and middle-income countries, frequently in urban settings where they face numerous obstacles: legal, financial, and structural barriers that impede their access to healthcare. Among these displaced individuals, there are more than 47 million children struggling with interrupted health services, education, and protection. Women and newborns are particularly vulnerable, with maternal and essential healthcare services becoming increasingly inaccessible.

It’s vital to recognize that refugees are not merely recipients of aid; they are scientists, health workers, and community leaders who contribute significantly to both their host nations and countries of origin. Their skills can greatly enhance the social and economic fabric of their surroundings.

Facing Barriers to Health Rights

Despite substantial strides and an increasing commitment from Member States to incorporate refugee health into national policies, global efforts remain tenuous. Refugees often face severe barriers that prevent them from exercising their full right to health, exacerbated by negative societal attitudes and discrimination. Decreasing humanitarian budgets lead to cuts in essential services like Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS), maternal health, and primary care, further jeopardizing the well-being of these vulnerable populations.

Call to Action: Strengthening Health Systems

WHO urges governments, partners, and communities to amplify their commitment to refugee health through the following actions:

• Ensure Universal Access: Provision of healthcare should be accessible to all, regardless of legal status.
• Invest in Equitable Solutions: Commit to data-driven initiatives that prioritize leaving no one behind.
• Fund Research and Data Collection: Support the generation of evidence that informs responsive and effective health systems.
• Enhance Health Workforce Capacity: Strengthen the capacity of health providers to deliver culturally competent, high-quality care.

Milestones in Refugee Health Promotion

WHO’s Health and Migration initiatives collaborate with nations and organizations to execute the 2019–2030 Global Action Plan on the Health of Refugees and Migrants (GAP). Key recent milestones include:

• Global Research Agenda: Operationalizing a global agenda on health, migration, and displacement, resulting in national and regional research frameworks.
• Health System Assessments: Evaluating health systems in various nations such as Bulgaria, Thailand, Uganda, Jordan, Czechia, Estonia, South Africa, and Chile, integrating refugee health into national planning.
• Global Dashboard: Launching a dashboard showcasing over 140 case studies from 63 countries to share successful, data-driven models for refugee health.
• Capacity Building: Training over 19,000 professionals from 187 countries through the Global School, with sessions held in Switzerland, Jordan, Bangladesh, Senegal, and Colombia.
• E-learning Courses: Offering competency standards courses reaching participants in 113 countries, including targeted training for health workers across 13 countries.

Global and Local Health Initiatives

WHO, in collaboration with UNHCR and other stakeholders, is dedicated to enhancing health services for refugees and local communities:

• Training Health Workers: In 2024, WHO trained 15,000 health workers in over 160 countries to meet the physical and mental health needs of refugees.
• Emergency Response in Chad and Uganda: Supporting comprehensive health initiatives for new arrivals, outbreak responses, and epidemic surveillance.
• Cholera Vaccination Campaign: In Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh, WHO led a successful cholera vaccination drive for one million refugees, while continuing to train health workers despite funding challenges.
• Community Health Initiatives in Pakistan: Training community health workers in maternal and perinatal death surveillance and upgrading local health facilities.
• Integration Efforts in Colombia: Facilitating refugee integration into the national healthcare system and providing interpretation services in Romania for Ukrainian refugees.

Fostering Global Cooperation

At the global level, WHO and UNHCR co-organize the Group of Friends of Health for Refugees and Host Communities, promoting knowledge exchange among member states, NGOs, and refugee-led organizations. In 2025, significant dialogues focused on shared solutions, with 243 pledges made under the Global Compact on Refugees emphasizing mental health and inclusion in national health systems. Recent commitments from countries like Kenya, Uganda, and Yemen further bolster the momentum towards equitable healthcare for all.

This article underscores the importance of solidarity and collective action in addressing the complex health needs of refugees, thereby contributing to their dignity and well-being in both host communities and their countries of origin.