Foreword
Migration has been and always will be a fact of life; we have to ensure that it is also a safe process that does not negatively impact the health of migrants and host communities. Population mobility influences, guides and supports economic and social development, social stability, and the greater integration of global processes in countries of origin, transit, destination and return. The healthier migrants are, the more efficient and balanced the future of our integrated and globalized world will be.
Whereas migrant health is getting increasing global attention, the key challenge in the past year has been to raise this topic in relevant platforms to find it a place in the post-2015 development framework.
We believe that this is needed for three key reasons – firstly, migrants have a right to health; secondly, including migrants in the health system can improve public health outcomes; and thirdly, healthy migrants can contribute to positive development outcomes. IOM will continue to work closely with its Member States, migrant beneficiaries, the United Nations, civil society and other stakeholders to ensure multisectoral collaboration for promoting the health of migrants.
With this report, the Migration Health Division (MHD) is pleased to present a review of selected IOM health projects and activities in 2013. This was a busy year again for the MHD, as evidenced by this report. Total expenditure of the MHD in 2013 amounted to USD 96.4 million, with projects across our three main areas, namely, migration health assessments, health promotion and health assistance in crises. Sincere gratitude and admiration go to all staff, colleagues, partners and Member States who promote migration health – a rapidly growing area of IOM work.
This annual report includes an editorial on why and how the health of migrants should be included in the post-2015 tuberculosis (TB) strategy. It is encouraging to note that the World Health Assembly Resolution on the new TB strategy emphasizes the importance of working on cross-border issues and promotes collaboration between high- and low-TB incidence countries. In the coming years, IOM and its partners will have to work together to ensure operationalization of proposed TB strategies for migrant communities.
Davide Mosca
Director, Migration Health Division
Department of Migration Management