Switzerland - IOM addressed refugee and migrant health during the 66th Session of the World Health Organisation (WHO) Regional Committee Meeting for Europe, held from 12-15 September 2016 in Copenhagen, Denmark.

Dr. Davide Mosca, Director of IOM’s Migration Health Division, delivered a keynote speech on behalf of IOM Director General William Lacy Swing. He noted that IOM’s move to become a “Related Organization” of the UN at the forthcoming General Assembly in New York represented a unique opportunity to promote the health of migrants and refugees.

“We so far have witnessed a relatively low level of understanding of health issues associated with human mobility through the UNGA high level dialogues. This is the time to advance the migrant health and refugee agenda and enhance inter-regional collaboration in the framework of the development Agenda 2030, which for the first time recognizes migration as a critical factor for inclusive and healthy societies within its ‘no one should be left behind’ pledge,” he said.

This year migrant health has featured on the agenda of various WHO regional committee meetings.  Europe is the most advanced in this field, with a concrete Strategy and Action Plan for Member States, largely driven by Europe’s ‘migrant crisis’ and spearheaded by the Government of Italy.

“Migration is not a problem to be solved, but an opportunity to be managed. In this spirit, IOM stands ready to support Member States, the WHO and our other partners in moving towards novel health system approaches that are in sync with our increasingly diverse communities,” added Mosca.

The “Strategy and Action Plan for Refugee and Migrant Health in the WHO European Region” and the related draft Resolution can be downloaded at: http://www.euro.who.int/en/about-us/governance/regional-committee-for-europe/66th-session/documentation.

For further information, please contact Dr. Davide Mosca at IOM HQ Geneva, Tel: +41 79 833 64 25, Email: dmosca@iom.int