WHO and IOM are partnering with the EU for better health
of refugees and displaced people from Ukraine
The World Health Organization (WHO), the International IOM, WHO and EU will jointly:
Organization for Migration (IOM) and the European Union (EU) are
analyse and address the barriers and gaps
partnering to support countries in improving the access to health that hinder refugees’ and displaced people’s access
care services for refugees and displaced people from Ukraine to health services;
under the Temporary Protection Directive activated by the EU on
4 March 2022 following the onset of the war in Ukraine. s upport health authorities to expand the health
coverage and meet the health needs of refugees and
displaced people from Ukraine;
The project Improving access to healthcare for refugees and
people displaced from Ukraine benefitting of temporary rovide and strengthen the capacities of health
p
mediators to support refugees and displaced people
protection in Member States is funded by the EU under the 2023
in navigating the health system in the host country;
EU4Health Work Programme. It will be implemented in 10 European
countries from 2023 to 2025: Bulgaria, Czechia, Estonia, Hungary, e stablish and strengthen networks of health workers and
Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Republic of Moldova, Romania, Slovakia. support their education needs to strengthen their capaci-
ties in the provision of refugee-sensitive health services;
Background empower displaced health workers from Ukraine to
Since the war began, millions of people have been forced to continue their professional development;
leave their homes. More than 5.9 million people from Ukraine
are displaced across Europe (as of November 2023)1. The arrival increase the vaccination coverage among refugees
of large numbers of refugees and displaced people has placed and displaced people from Ukraine; and
significant strain on the national health systems of many refugee-
receiving countries. To assist countries in managing the situation, e stablish health promotion programmes adapted to
WHO, IOM and EU are working with national health authorities to the realities in which refugees and displaced people
from Ukraine live in.
support and strengthen their health systems.
1
Source: UNHCR data portal. Ukraine refugee situation. https://data.unhcr.org/en/situations/ukraine; accessed 30 November 2023.
Copyright: WHO Copyright: IOM
WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION ORGANISATION MONDIALE DE LA SANTÉ
REGIONAL OFFICE FOR EUROPE BUREAU RÉGIONAL DE L'EUROPE
WELTGESUNDHEITSORGANISATION ВСЕМИРНАЯ ОРГАНИЗАЦИЯ ЗДРАВООХРАНЕНИЯ
REGIONALBÜRO FÜR EUROPA ЕВРОПЕЙСКОЕ РЕГИОНАЛЬНОЕ БЮРО
Intercountry workshop /2
WHO-IOM-EU EU4Health joint action
Location: Bucharest, Romania 11 November 2024
Dates: 18-19 February 2025 Original: English
Concept note
1. Background
Since the start of the war in Ukraine in February 2022, there are currently 6.2 million refugees
from Ukraine forcibly displaced across Europe. To promote a balance of efforts between
Member States receiving refugees and displaced people from Ukraine, the European
Commission proposed to activate the Temporary Protection Directive (2001/55/EC), which was
unanimously adopted by the European Council in March 2022. The European Council adopted
the decision to extend the temporary protection until 4 March 2026.
Holders of temporary protection have access to rights and entitlements, including healthcare.
Since October 2023 and for two years, the European Commission is funding two actions with
WHO and IOM via the EU4Health 2023 Work Programme. Building on each other’s mandates
and areas of expertise, the two UN agencies are implementing two actions in full coordination
and complementarity, and therefore, they are referred to as the joint WHO-IOM-EU action. The
joint action is implemented in 10 countries, Bulgaria, Czechia, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia,
Lithuania, Poland, Republic of Moldova, Romania, and Slovakia. Its overall objective is to
strengthen the health systems of these 10 countries to ensure access to services for refugees and
displaced people from Ukraine. To do so, the joint action seeks to contribute to the following
deliverables:
Support national health authorities to adjust the health coverage to meet the needs of
refugees and displaced people
Conduct health system reviews to understand the barriers and enablers for refugees from
Ukraine in accessing health services
Deploy health mediators to support refugees in navigating the health system and accessing
services
Strengthen/establish networks of relevant health actors providing services to refugees
Develop and support programmes in country aimed at empowering displaced health
workers to continue their professional development
Increase the vaccination coverage among refugees
Promote and disseminate health information among refugees
Given the rapid response that countries offered to support the health needs of refugees and
displaced people from Ukraine, they have gained knowledge, experience and lessons learned on
how to improve access to services while collaborating with local partners for increased impact.
1
Scope and purpose
page 2
These learnings can be shared with other countries with the potential to be replicated in other
contexts.
2. Purpose and objectives
The intercountry event is organized by the WHO Regional Office for Europe, and it aims at
creating a platform for sharing lessons learned and good practices among countries of
implementation of the WHO-IOM-EU joint action with the objective to build/strengthen the
capacity of Member States in technical areas of refugee and migrant health.
The event will bring together MoH representatives of the 10 countries of implementation
(Bulgaria, Czechia, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Republic of Moldova,
Romania, and Slovakia), EU, WHO and IOM representatives, and key partners involved in the
implementation of deliverables.
The technical workshops will delve into 4 themes in alignment with some deliverables of the
joint action:
Understanding legal frameworks and procedures to support displaced health workers from
Ukraine to continue their professional development in the host country
Strategies to ensure access to health services. Examples from health mediators, and
dedicated health working groups
Enhancing public health messaging for Ukrainian refugee communities
Strategies on immunization services for refugees to increase vaccination uptake
Objectives of the event:
To disseminate lessons learned and good practices based on the implementation of the
action
Enable communication exchange among national health authorities on strategies to meet
the health needs of refugees and displaced people from Ukraine
Identify areas of support for Member States, including cross-border collaboration
Expected outcomes:
Facilitate sharing of lessons learned and good practices
Strengthen the capacity of Member States in addressed technical areas
Generate key insights for actions aimed at supporting the health needs of refugees and
displaced people from Ukraine
3. Participants
There will be approximately 40 participants attending the event.
Invited participants include:
MoH and/or relevant health authorities’ representatives of the countries of implementation
Scope and purpose
page 3
Key partners involved in the delivery of services for refugees and displaced people from
Ukraine
WHO, IOM, and EU representatives
4. Format of the event
This is an in-person workshop which will be conducted in English. The workshop will include
different thematic sessions and group discussions on some of the technical areas covered by the
joint action.
Saatja: "WHO EURO Migration Health Programme" <
[email protected]>
Saaja: "Helen Sõber"
Teema: Gentle Reminder: EST_Request for nomination to the intercountry workshop, 18-19 Feb 2025 in Bucharest Romania
Kuupäev: 2024-12-04 13:20
Tähelepanu! Tegemist on välisvõrgust saabunud kirjaga.
Tundmatu saatja korral palume linke ja faile mitte avada.
Tähelepanu! Tegemist on välisvõrgust saabunud kirjaga.
Tundmatu saatja korral palume linke ja faile mitte avada. Dear Ms
Sõber,
This is a gentle reminder that we are looking forward to receiving two
nominations from Estonia for the above mentioned workshop in February
2025.
Please do not hestiate to reach out should you need additional
information.
We look forward to hearing from you soonest.
Respectfully,
WHO EURO Migration Health Programme
Country Implementation Support for Impact Unit
Division of Country Support and Partnerships
World Health Organization │Regional Office for Europe
UN City - Marmorvej 51 - 2100 Copenhagen Ø, Denmark
Phone: +45 45 33 66 87 │Email :
[email protected]
From: WHO EURO Migration Health Programme <
[email protected]>
Sent: Monday, November 11, 2024 4:54 PM
To: Helen Sõber <
[email protected]>
Cc:
[email protected];
[email protected];
[email protected];
[email protected];
[email protected]; KÖHLER, Kristina
<
[email protected]>
Subject: EST_Request for nomination to the intercountry workshop, 18-19
Feb 2025 in Bucharest Romania
Please see the attached correspondence sent from the World Health
Organization, Regional Office for Europe.
We would appreciate a response by 9 December 2024
WHO EURO Migration Health Programme
Country Implementation Support for Impact Unit
Division of Country Support and Partnerships
World Health Organization │Regional Office for Europe
UN City - Marmorvej 51 - 2100 Copenhagen Ø, Denmark
Phone: +45 45 33 66 87 │Email :
[email protected]
Saatja: WHO EURO Migration Health Programme <
[email protected]>
Saadetud: 04.12.2024 15:20
Adressaat: <=?utf-8?Q?Helen_S=C3=B5ber?=>
Koopia: <"Triin Uusberg">; <
[email protected]>; <
[email protected]>;
<
[email protected]>; <
[email protected]>; KÖHLER,
Kristina <
[email protected]>
Teema: Gentle Reminder: EST_Request for nomination to the intercountry
workshop, 18-19 Feb 2025 in Bucharest Romania
Tähtsus: Kõrgeim
Tähelepanu! Tegemist on välisvõrgust saabunud kirjaga.Tundmatu saatja
korral palume linke ja faile mitte avada.Tähelepanu! Tegemist on
välisvõrgust saabunud kirjaga.Tundmatu saatja korral palume linke ja
faile mitte avada.Dear Ms Sõber,
This is a gentle reminder that we are looking forward to receiving two
nominations from Estonia for the above mentioned workshop in February
2025.
Please do not hestiate to reach out should you need additional
information.
We look forward to hearing from you soonest.
Respectfully,
WHO EURO Migration Health Programme
Country Implementation Support for Impact Unit
Division of Country Support and Partnerships
World Health Organization │Regional Office for Europe
UN City - Marmorvej 51 - 2100 Copenhagen Ø, Denmark
Phone: │
From: WHO EURO Migration Health Programme <
[email protected]> Sent:
Monday, November 11, 2024 4:54 PMTo: Helen Sõber
<
[email protected]>Cc:
[email protected];
[email protected];
[email protected];
[email protected];
[email protected];
KÖHLER, Kristina <
[email protected]>Subject: EST_Request for
nomination to the intercountry workshop, 18-19 Feb 2025 in Bucharest
Romania
Please see the attached correspondence sent from the World Health
Organization, Regional Office for Europe.
We would appreciate a response by 9 December 2024
WHO EURO Migration Health Programme
Country Implementation Support for Impact Unit
Division of Country Support and Partnerships
World Health Organization │Regional Office for Europe
UN City - Marmorvej 51 - 2100 Copenhagen Ø, Denmark
Phone: │
WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION
ORGANISATION MONDIALE DE LA SANTÉ
WELTGESUNDHEITSORGANISATION
ВСЕМИРНАЯ ОРГАНИЗАЦИЯ ЗДРАВООХРАНЕНИЯ Date: 11 November 2024
REGIONAL OFFICE FOR EUROPE Ms Helen Sõber
BUREAU RÉGIONAL DE L’EUROPE
REGIONALBÜRO FÜR EUROPA Adviser
ЕВРОПЕЙСКОЕ РЕГИОНАЛЬНОЕ БЮРО European Union Affairs and International Co-operation
Department
Head office:
UN City, Marmorvej 51,
Ministry of Social Affairs
DK-2100 Copenhagen Ø, Denmark Suur-Ameerika 1
Tel.: +45 45 33 70 00; Fax: +45 45 33 70 01 10122 Tallinn
Email:
[email protected]
Website: https://www.who.int/europe Estonia
Our reference: Your reference:
Notre référence: Votre référence:
Unser Zeichen: Ihr Zeichen:
См. наш номер: На Ваш номер:
Dear Ms Sõber,
Invitation to the intercountry workshop on the WHO-IOM-EU EU4Health joint action
18-19 February 2025, Bucharest, Romania
I am pleased to inform you of the upcoming WHO Regional Office for Europe’s intercountry workshop on the
WHO-IOM-EU EU4Health joint action. Since October 2023, as part of the health response to the war in
Ukraine, WHO, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the European Union (EU) have been
implementing a joint action in 10 Member States - Bulgaria, Czechia, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania,
Poland, Republic of Moldova, Romania, and Slovakia- with the aim to strengthen their health systems.
The intercountry workshop aims to convene representatives from the 10 Member States to facilitate the
exchange of lessons learned and good practices in the technical areas addressed by the joint action. The
workshop is designed to strengthen the capacity of the Member States in these technical areas, and promote
communication among national health authorities on strategies to meet the health needs of refugees and
displaced people from Ukraine.
The workshop will encourage the participants to reflect on their country contexts and share practices,
challenges, and other relevant insights. Furthermore, it will aim to establish a platform where participants will
find a common space to engage in dialogue, share innovative solutions, learn from each other’s experiences,
discuss common challenges, and identify opportunities for collaborative action. The workshop will be
conducted in English.
To promote effective discussions, I kindly request you to nominate two participants representing the Ministry
of Health or a relevant public health authority. I am pleased to inform you that WHO will cover the
transportation and accommodation for the nominated representatives to the workshop.
Please liaise directly with Ms Simona Melki (
[email protected]) for any questions you might have. I look
forward to receiving your nominations by 9 December 2024.
Sincerely,
Kristina Mauer-Stender
Acting Director
Division of Country Support and Partnerships
UN City, Marmorvej 51 Tel.: +45 45 33 70 00 Email:
[email protected]
DK-2100 Copenhagen Ø Fax: +45 45 33 70 01 Website: https://www.who.int/europe
Denmark
Encls:
Concept Note
Project brief
Copy for information to:
Ms Triin Uusberg, Head, European Union Affairs and International Co-operation Department, Ministry of
Social Affairs, Suur-Ameerika 1, 10129 Tallinn, Estonia
H.E. Ms Riia Salsa-Audiffren, Ambassador Representative of the Republic of Estonia, Permanent Mission of
the Republic of Estonia to the United Nations Office and other international organizations in Geneva, Chemin
du Petit-Saconnex 28A, CH-1209 Genève, Switzerland
H.E. Mr Andre Pung, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, Embassy of the Republic of Estonia,
Frederiksgade 19, 4th floor, 1265 Copenhagen K, Denmark
Ms Kristina Köhler, Liaison Officer, WHO Country Office, Estonia, Paldiski Road 81, 10617 Tallinn, Estonia
–2–