Linking local knowledge to global discourse: Work on migration and health

Learning from our research in Lebanon, Syria, and Myanmar has brought home the importance of a focus on migration and health. Our work has explored the various health systems that serve the needs of migrants and displaced people, often in parallel to formal government services and the for-profit private sector. In Lebanon, we have traced the important role of migrants and displaced people in staffing the health system, often with little financial or other recognition. Our work on financing has addressed the ways in which these systems might be funded, while nascent work on remittances will explore the contribution of migrants to their home countries health infrastructure.

According to the UNHCR Global Trend Report [opens new tab], in June 2023 110 million people worldwide were forcibly displaced, and we are likely to see 143 million people displaced due to climate change by 2050. Health systems for migrants are contextually specific and yet are governed by global policy, which is running to keep up with the pace of movement of people due to war, crisis and the search for a better future. We have worked to bring local knowledge to global fora to address this challenge.

Pathways to impact

Rabat Declaration on Migration and Health

From 13 to 15 June 2023, the World Health Organization (WHO), International Organization for Migration (IOM), UNHCR (the United Nations refugee agency), and the Moroccan Government organized the Third Global Consultation on the Health of Refugees and Migrants [opens new tab] in Rabat, Morocco. The consultation aimed to strengthen political commitment to improve the health and well-being of refugees, migrants, and host communities. ReBUILD Lebanon team member, Fouad Fouad, took part in and moderated a session on advancing refugee health and discussed the achievements and way forward in enhancing health in the context of the Global Compact on Refugees (GCR) [opens new tab]. The subsequent report emphasized the importance of political commitment, equity, inclusion, mainstreaming, and accountability. It highlighted the need for meaningful participation of refugees and migrants, equitable access to healthcare, addressing social determinants of health, and using data- and research-driven approaches.

Global Refugee Forum

The Global Refugee Forum [opens new tab], held every four years, is the world’s largest international gathering on refugees. It brings together UN Member States, non-governmental organizations, the private sector, academia, refugee-led organizations, and displaced and stateless people. The forum aims to discuss and find solutions to the challenges faced by refugees and their host communities. It reflects the belief that lasting solutions for refugees must involve everyone in society and be guided by those directly affected.

The event provided an opportunity to explore how states and other stakeholders in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) have worked collaboratively to translate the GCR into action. The discussion highlighted the efforts and future plans of donor countries and humanitarian and development actors to enhance host countries’ capacities and strengthen refugees’ self-reliance, considering the large-scale and protracted displacement in the MENA region.

On behalf of the civil society in Lebanon and the Lebanon Policy and Research Network on Displacement (LPRND) [opens new tab], Fouad Fouad, presented the pledge on the lack of documentation among refugees. This is a major barrier to development for many people in Lebanon, such as refugees, migrant workers, the displaced and the stateless. As civil society actors, NGOs, academics and professionals based in Lebanon, the members of the LPRND pledged to work toward reducing the barriers to civil documentation in Lebanon by advocating for the enactment of modern and comprehensive, universal civil registration law, providing guidance to those who need it on the appropriate procedures for acquiring documentation, supporting the capacity of understaffed and under-resourced government offices to provide documents in a timely manner, and liaising with relevant government ministries to address systemic barriers such as requirements to obtain missing documents available only from the country of origin (eg Syria) and/or from the Lebanese related authorities.

Expert Technical Advisory Group on Refugee and Migrant Health Data (WHO)

Under the umbrella of the WHO Global Data Initiative on Refugee and Migrant Health, in the WHO Department of Health and Migration (DHM) [opens new tab], Fouad Fouad was selected to serve as a member of the technical advisory board from 2024-25. The selected group of experts will:

• Advise the Department on the content of the Second World Report on the health of refugees and migrants.
• Participate in developing the global monitoring and indicators framework for the WHO Global Action Plan on promoting the health of refugees and migrants 2019-30.
• Provide high-level technical advice for all products related to data and evidence.

The Lancet Commission on Health, Conflict, and Forced Displacement

The Commission (visit the site here) underscores the inadequacy of the current humanitarian architecture, stressing the need for political will to address core peace and security issues and calling for urgent systemic change in the humanitarian sector. The Commission seeks to integrate innovative solutions and diverse perspectives from academics, practitioners, and affected populations. This inclusive strategy aims to enhance the effectiveness of humanitarian responses by using new technologies, improving inter-agency cooperation, and increasing the empowerment of local actors. The Commission emphasizes the need for a flexible and inclusive protection system that addresses the complex dynamics of global migration and the impacts of various emergencies, including climate change.

The Commission advocates for the localization of humanitarian aid. By elevating local knowledge and capacities and focusing on culturally-sensitive, gender-inclusive interventions, the Commission aims to transfer power and ownership of humanitarian responses to local actors.

Two of the ReBUILD team (Fouad Fouad and Ibrahim Bou Orm) are contributing to the Commission; Fouad as a commissioner and Ibrahim as a next-generation scholar. They will be part of the authorship body for the Commission report, which is expected to be issued in mid-2025, published by the Lancet, and disseminated through international platforms and global events on migration and health.

IDRC Research Chairs on Forced Displacement

Fouad Fouad was selected as the chair of the IDRC Forced Displacement Program in the Middle East. He is one of twelve research chairs in the Global South working to generate locally grounded knowledge on forced displacement. The chairs are focusing on studying forced displacement from a perspective of the Global South in order to contribute to long-term solutions for the challenges it presents. They draw on various disciplines and are dedicated to conducting high-quality research, developing curricula, teaching, and mentoring young scholars. They collaborate with affected communities, support local agenda-setting, amplify the voices of displaced individuals and host communities, and advocate with policy stakeholders at the local, national, and international levels to ensure a strong connection between research and policy.

Impact

ReBUILD engagement in a range of global level special interest groups and policy processes has provided an opportunity to bring local level learning to this influential international space. Working across civil society, government and donor convened initiatives we are helping to create a more conducing policy environment to support resilient health systems at local level.

Further information

• IPCC report: Climate Change 2022: Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability [opens new tab]
• There are other ReBUILD for Resilience case studies here