WHO supports countries hosting refugees from the Middle East
Last reviewed: 30.05.2018
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Due to the large flow of refugees to European countries, WHO supports countries that provide assistance to internally displaced persons.
The healthcare organization supplies the necessary first aid items, assesses the capabilities of countries that are ready to provide assistance, conducts staff training, and provides financial and material support.
The consequences of such a mass flow of people were discussed at a meeting in Lithuania. Officials from 53 countries asked WHO, do not stop assistance, so that all countries could provide normal conditions for all who need it. As a result of the meeting, it was decided to hold a conference to develop an action plan under conditions of large-scale resettlement to ensure public health protection.
Suzanne Jakab, the head of the regional office, noted that with increasing numbers of internally displaced people, more and more countries are unable to protect public health and it is very important today to take urgent and effective action. Taking into account the movement of refugees, it is important to carry out coordinated work of all countries, and not only in Europe.
This year, more than 300,000 refugees took refuge in Europe (excluding 2 million who were granted asylum in Turkey).
It is generally accepted that mass resettlement contributes to the spread of infectious diseases, but in spite of this opinion, WHO has not revealed an excess of the morbidity threshold in countries receiving refugees.
The likelihood of falling into the countries of Europe of dangerous infections characteristic of the Middle East region (Ebola, Lassa, coronavirus, etc.) is extremely small. It is worth noting that since 2012 in Europe, cases of coronavirus have been documented , but the disease was brought by tourists or persons traveling on business need.
In countries where people often flee, people often have higher levels of vaccination, so they have a low incidence rate. Now it is necessary to pay special attention to health protection, including protection of the population against infectious diseases with the help of vaccines, first aid in trauma, provision of necessary medical care to pregnant and maternity wards, children, people with chronic diseases and requiring psychosocial care.
WHO has developed a set of recommendations for the health system that will help countries draw up a contingency plan. WHO is also trying to provide all countries with a full supply of medical supplies. For this purpose, special sets are being purchased, including medicines from the main group and the necessary tools.
In 2013, WHO opened a field office in Gaziantep, Turkey, to improve the capacity to receive refugees and respond to the emerging needs of people who lost their homes in a timely manner. The assessment of the needs of internally displaced people from Syria is ongoing, support is provided to Syrian doctors, financial and technical assistance is provided to reduce the risk of spread of diseases and additional vaccination of the population, medical equipment and medicines are being procured, and awareness among refugees is increasing.