WHO and UNHCR Expand Health Access for Displaced People
The partnership aims to include refugees in national health plans to better protect 70 million people worldwide.
Updated on Oct. 15, 2026 in COVID-19
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The World Health Organization and the UNHCR signed an updated partnership agreement on May 21, 2020, to expand public health access for the world's 70 million forcibly displaced people. This collaboration aims to include refugees in national health plans to better address risks like COVID-19.
Why it matters
The partnership addresses the unique vulnerability of displaced populations, 80 percent of whom reside in low and middle-income countries with limited health resources. Integrating these groups into national health strategies is essential for effective pandemic management and long-term health equity.
The agreement formalizes a collaboration to support health services for 70 million displaced people, including 26 million refugees and 40 million internally displaced individuals. While the COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund has raised $214 million, the efficacy of specific on-the-ground interventions remains under evaluation.
The players
World Health Organization
The United Nations agency responsible for international public health, which coordinates responses to global disease outbreaks.
UNHCR
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, tasked with protecting the rights and well-being of people forced to flee their homes.
The details
The collaboration leverages the combined expertise of both agencies to integrate displaced persons into host countries' national public health systems. Resources from the Solidarity Response Fund support critical infrastructure, including the procurement of medical supplies, the establishment of isolation units, and the implementation of risk communication strategies to curb disease spread among transient populations.
Timeline
The original partnership agreement between the organizations was signed in 1997.
The COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund was launched on March 13, 2020.
The updated agreement was signed on May 21, 2020.
Health Landscape
This agreement marks a formal expansion of the operational reach of the COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund. It represents a shift toward prioritizing the integration of marginalized populations into broader global public health infrastructure.
This development highlights the importance of inclusive public health planning when managing infectious disease risks in transient or vulnerable populations. Readers living in or traveling to host regions may see increased local health infrastructure development aimed at managing health crises.
The takeaway
Inclusive health planning remains a cornerstone of effective pandemic prevention, especially for populations in transit. Staying informed about how your local community integrates health services for newcomers can provide a better understanding of regional disease preparedness.
Further reading
Learn more about global pandemic strategies on our COVID-19 page.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Who.
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Should international organizations prioritize providing healthcare access to refugees during global public health emergencies?
