Main area: Migration
Theme: Other support to migrants and refugees in developing countries and to their hosting communities
Assessment: ODA-eligible
Provider country: Spain
Recipient country: Mexico
Implementing agency: Pan-American Health Organization (PAHO)
Budget (EUR million): 0.84 (Spanish contribution)
Year(s): 2020
Purpose code: N/A
Case number: Migration / 31
Migration and health during COVID-19 in Mexico
As of 2018, the migratory flows entering Mexico through the southern border turned to massive groups of migrants that contributed to the increase in demands on the health system, exceeding its capacities, which increased vulnerability and threatened the human security of these populations. The increase in the number of forced returnees across the northern border aggravated the problem. Vulnerability increased in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly among women, girls and boys, further stressing their mental health and increasing their sense of helplessness.
Strengthening health protection capacity and access to health services for migrants, forced returnees and asylum seekers in the context of the COVID-19 emergency.
Support through technical guidance, data analysis, methodological frameworks, guidelines and training to health authorities to improve access to health services for migrants and asylum seekers.
Support through the establishment of common work instances and the organisation of spaces for dialogue and exchange of information and experiences, the coordination between the Ministry of Health and other health service providers.
Improve through the establishment of agreements between government institutions, UN agencies and NGOs involved, the development and implementation of operational mechanisms in the field to improve coordination among the actors involved in supporting health actions for migrants, forced returnees and asylum seekers.
Implemented public health interventions and improved access to health services, including psychosocial care services during the emergency, for the migrant population, forced returnees and asylum seekers.
This activity is deemed ODA-eligible. The activity is focused on protecting basic health needs of migrants, forced returnees and asylum seekers by building the capacity of key stakeholders in the healthcare sector in Mexico. This activity complies with Principles 1 and 3 given its primary focus on the promotion of economic development and welfare of a developing country. It is also well aligned with the examples of ODA-eligible activities given under Criterion 4, in particular capacity building activities that promote the establishment and implementation of processes for safe, orderly and regular migration with a focus on human security and medical services or medical assistance to migrants.
This work was approved and declassified by the Development Assistance Committee’s Working Party on Development Finance Statistics.
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