Forced Displacement and Humanitarian Health

In 2017, over 68.5 million people were forcibly displaced due to conflict, violence or persecution across the globe. Internally Displaced Persons and refugees reached 42.2 million and 23.2 million people, respectively – the highest ever recorded.

Migration has rightly become a leading priority on the global health agenda with humanitarian agencies addressing ways to better meet the health care needs of people on the move

During this symposium on Forced Displacement and Humanitarian Health delegates explored some of the drivers of forced displacement including conflict, climate change and socio-political issues and the potential impacts on humanitarian health policy and practice both now and in the future.

Image: Alma*, 18 months, was born in Gaza during the war, and got Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) twice due to food shortages. The unhygienic living conditions in the tent and multiple forced displacements have made her more prone to various infections. Credit: Save the Children.