On the margins of the 80th United Nations General Assembly, Member States, UN agencies, civil society, and other partners convened to address a pressing global health challenge: ensuring migrants and refugees are fully included in national and global strategies for noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) and mental health.
Joined by participants from over 70 countries, the event, co-hosted by Spain, Egypt, WHO, UNICEF, UNHCR, IOM, and IFRC, called for bold political commitment, cross-border cooperation, and innovative approaches to ensure that no one is left behind.
A growing challenge
Over 1 billion people worldwide, one in eight, are migrants or displaced persons, including an estimated 304 million international migrants (as of mid-2024) and 123.2 million forcibly displaced by conflict, persecution, or crisis (as of end-2024). Nearly 40% of these displaced people are children. Climate change is a threat multiplier, with climate-related internal displacement projected to exceed 210 million by 2050.
Migrants and refugees contribute to the economic, social, and cultural development of societies. Dignified access to health is a right, not a privilege. Promoting and protecting their well-being is an investment in resilience and inclusive growth. Yet, many face heightened vulnerability to NCDs and mental health conditions due to social determinants and systemic barriers such as poverty, unequal access to nutritious food, insecure housing, hazardous working conditions, discrimination, and limited access to health services. Despite notable global commitments, most countries have yet to embed refugees and migrants in national NCD and mental health strategies.
“We cannot build stronger health systems by leaving millions outside their scope. Migrants and refugees must be fully included if we are serious about equity and resilience,” said H.E. Dr Mónica García Gómez, Minister of Health of Spain.
“Health is a right for all. Egypt remains steadfast in its commitment to advancing health and safety, guaranteeing equitable access to essential NCDs and mental health-care services for all, including refugees and migrants, irrespective of their legal status,” said H.E. Prof. Mohamed Hassany, Assistant Minister of Health and Population for Projects and Public Health Initiatives of Egypt.
“NCDs and mental health are among the defining health challenges of our time. Addressing them inclusively, for refugees and migrants as well as host communities, is a health issue but also a moral duty and a strategic necessity,” added Dr Jeremy Farrar, Assistant Director-General for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention and Care at WHO.
Shared progress and commitments
“Migration is part of our shared future. Health systems must adapt to guarantee continuity of care across borders,” said Ugochi Daniels, Deputy Director General for Operations at IOM.
The event showcased a range of protective practices and commitments from countries and partners, in alignment with the priorities set by the WHO Global Action Plan on Promoting the Health of Refugees and Migrants, the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration, the Global Compact on Refugees, and other key strategies. They emphasized that migrant-inclusive health systems, anchored in prevention and equity, are key to realizing the right to health for all. Examples include:
- Egypt’s provision of comprehensive and inclusive out-of-camp primary, preventive, and curative health-care services within the framework of equitable burden-sharing;
- Jordan’s transition to integrated care through school-based programmes and community engagement, following a multisectoral approach;
- Spain’s integration of culturally appropriate mental health measures into its national strategy to advance universal coverage;
- IOM’s delivery of millions of health consultations, vaccinations, screenings, training sessions, and mental health services to both migrants and communities across dozens of countries;
- UNICEF’s strengthening of child-sensitive, cross-border continuity of care;
- and the Palestine Red Crescent Society’s integration of NCD and mental health services through mobile and fixed posts, reaching thousands despite resource constraints.
“Our work demonstrates the importance of moving from emergency response to systemic solutions rooted in local action, by building resilient health systems that provide comprehensive care not only during crises, but as a sustained commitment for all,” said Dr Younis Al‑Khatib, President, Palestinian Red Crescent Society.
WHO and partners reaffirmed their commitment to advancing migrant-inclusive health by strengthening data, providing practical guidance, embedding inclusive approaches into national strategies, and expanding cross-sector collaboration for sustained equitable responses to refugees and migrants, including improving cross-border care, building robust health data systems, and fostering whole-of-government action.
Translating commitment into progress
Stakeholders called for bold, coordinated action to integrate migrants and refugees into NCD and mental health strategies globally. This requires strong political will, cross-sector collaboration, sustainable financing, and inclusive frameworks covering the entire migration journey. They stressed embedding migrant-inclusive approaches in national health systems, strengthening accountability, advancing data and research, and ensuring commitments align with UHC and “leave no one behind” principles. Stakeholders urged explicit inclusion of migrants and displaced people in future UN General Assembly High-level meeting declarations on NCDs.
“The 2025 Political Declaration is a milestone, but omitting migrants, refugees, and displaced populations is a missed opportunity for equity. Inclusion is a cost-effective investment that strengthens policy at all levels,” said Dr Santino Severoni, Head, Special Initiative on Health and Migration at WHO.
“Health for all is an urgent imperative, especially in a world fractured by conflict and political divides. Partnerships with governments, UN agencies, and the private sector are key to strengthening health systems and enhancing refugee and migrant self-reliance,” added Raouf Mazou, Assistant High Commissioner for Operations at UNHCR.