The health of nearly 13 million refugees is at risk due to funding cuts, according to a warning launched by UNHCR during a press briefing at the Palais des Nations in Geneva on March 28.
During a briefing, Allen Maina, Head of Public Health at UNHCR, warned that without sufficient resources, approximately 12.8 million refugees -- including 6.3 million children -- could be deprived of critical healthcare services in 2025.
"The current humanitarian funding crisis, exacerbated by declining healthcare spending in host countries, is undermining the scope and quality of public health and nutrition programs for refugees and host communities. It is disrupting access to essential services and increasing the risk of epidemics, malnutrition, untreated chronic conditions, and mental health issues," he continued.
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Greater health risks without additional resources
Maina stressed the consequences of reduced healthcare funding, noting that refugees would have to cover medical costs themselves, for which they lack the funds, and will face difficulties accessing already overstretched public services.
"With funding cuts also affecting water supply systems, sanitation facilities, and waste management, outbreaks of infectious diseases such as cholera, dysentery, hepatitis, and malaria could threaten large populations, with deadly consequences. The reduction in funding could significantly reverse progress made in HIV responses in humanitarian settings," he warned.
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Financial uncertainty sffects millions of lives
Maina provided examples of the impact of funding cuts, citing severe crises in Bangladesh, Burundi, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Egypt, Ethiopia, Jordan, and Mozambique.
"The estimate of 12.8 million refugees potentially left without healthcare is based on a survey conducted by UNHCR's health team across all global operations where the agency runs health programs," he emphasized.
"Every day that financial uncertainty persists increases the impact on the lives of millions of men, women, and children worldwide who have fled their homes in search of safety," Maina concluded.
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