Important achievements in preventing deaths and improving access to health services for refugees are at risk from the current funding uncertainty, UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, is warning.
UNHCR’s 2024 Annual Public Health Global Review, released at the start of World Immunisation Week, provides an overview of its public health response across 63 countries, highlighting achievements, challenges and priorities for 2025. The report reflects progress made under UNHCR’s Global Public Health Strategy, launched in 2021 and running till the end of this year, which emphasizes sustainable refugee inclusion in strengthened national health systems and partnerships.
In 2024, UNHCR supported over 15.4 million health consultations across its operations, including 8.7 million in the 22 countries using UNHCR’s integrated Refugee Health Information System (iRHIS). Notably, 17 per cent of the consultations were provided to host communities. Skilled birth attendance remained high at 93 per cent, with 138,000 deliveries and 735,000 antenatal visits supported. However, even before the significant assistance cuts currently being implemented, funding shortfalls triggered a 7 per cent decline in consultations and a 12 per cent drop in assisted deliveries.
“Considerable progress has been achieved in securing health services for refugees and host communities,” said UNHCR’s Public Health Chief Dr. Allen Maina. “However, deeply concerning realities remain. Reduced funding led to fewer consultations and limited resources for emergencies. National systems have struggled with inadequate funding, and extreme weather events are worsening disease outbreaks. Barriers to emergency obstetric care led to 180 maternal deaths among refugees, many preventable.”
Despite progress in some countries, overall childhood vaccination coverage among refugee children still falls short of global targets. In 2024, 36 per cent of reporting countries achieved at least 95 per cent measles vaccine coverage, up 29 per cent from 2023. Continued support is required to strengthen immunization systems and ensure that all children, including refugees, are included in national vaccination programmes.
Acute malnutrition affected 10 per cent of refugee children, while stunting and micronutrient deficiencies remained high. Through a focus on early identification and treatment, 2.5 million individuals were screened and 262,000 children treated for acute malnutrition.
Mental health care remained a core pillar of health services. Related consultations rose to 176,000 in 2024, up from 150,000 the previous year – driven by integration of mental health into primary care and investments in training.
Extreme weather, conflict and displacement are intensifying health risks. Last year, UNHCR responded to outbreaks of measles, cholera, dengue and mpox. In camps in Bangladesh, dengue cases surged to over 15,000, prompting risk assessments and multisectoral actions. Mpox outbreaks in Africa were addressed through strengthened community-based surveillance, water and sanitation programmes, and inclusion of refugees in vaccination campaigns.
Noncommunicable diseases such as hypertension and diabetes are an increasing concern, accounting for 6 per cent of all outpatient consultations. UNHCR and partners supported capacity-building of staff and strengthened health systems to enhance access to care.
In 2024, community-based public health approaches were scaled up. Over 12,000 community workers across 37 countries – many refugees themselves – received training on health promotion, conducted disease surveillance, and linked refugees to services.
UNHCR and partners advanced refugee inclusion in national health systems, promoting universal coverage. Key milestones included the transition of camp health services to national authorities in Iraq, the integration of refugee health workers into Kenya’s national nurse training, and Cameroon’s enrolment of over 93,000 refugees in a national health coverage programme.
UNHCR reiterated its warning that the current humanitarian funding crisis, exacerbated by declining health spending in hosting countries, is affecting the scope and quality of public health and nutrition programmes for refugees and host communities.
