International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
Volume 14, Issue 12, 2017

Health challenges in refugee reception: Dateline Europe 2016 (Article) (Open Access)

Blitz B.K.* , D’Angelo A. , Kofman E. , Montagna N.
  • a London School of Economics, Middlesex University, The Burroughs, London, NW4 4BT, United Kingdom
  • b London School of Economics, Middlesex University, The Burroughs, London, NW4 4BT, United Kingdom
  • c London School of Economics, Middlesex University, The Burroughs, London, NW4 4BT, United Kingdom
  • d London School of Economics, Middlesex University, The Burroughs, London, NW4 4BT, United Kingdom

Abstract

The arrival of more than one million migrants, many of them refugees, has proved a major test for the European Union. Although international relief and monitoring agencies have been critical of makeshift camps in Calais and Eidomeni where infectious disease and overcrowding present major health risks, few have examined the nature of the official reception system and its impact on health delivery. Drawing upon research findings from an Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) funded project, this article considers the physical and mental health of asylum–seekers in transit and analyses how the closure of borders has engendered health risks for populations in recognised reception centres in Sicily and in Greece. Data gathered by means of a survey administered in Greece (300) and in Sicily (400), and complemented by in-depth interviews with migrants (45) and key informants (50) including representatives of government offices, humanitarian and relief agencies, NGOs and activist organisations, are presented to offer an analysis of the reception systems in the two frontline states. We note that medical provision varies significantly from one centre to another and that centre managers play a critical role in the transmission of vital information. A key finding is that, given such disparity, the criteria used by the UNHCR to grade health services reception do not address the substantive issue that prevent refugees from accessing health services, even when provided on site. Health provision is not as recorded in UNHCR reporting but rather there are critical gaps between provision, awareness, and access for refugees in reception systems in Sicily and in Greece. This article concludes that there is a great need for more information campaigns to direct refugees to essential services. © 2017 by the authors.

Author Keywords

Greece Sicily Italy Health Medical refugee reception Psychological services European Union

Index Keywords

flight political system Forecasting abuse transitional care refugee Europe health risk health disparity infectious disease sex ratio mental health Sicily human Refugees trends overcrowding statistics and numerical data health service controlled study public access asylum seeker population risk Humans male semi structured interview female Greece refugee camp Refugee Camps health services medical information European Union Article disease transmission adult migration health care quality health care access distress syndrome Italy Transients and Migrants health hazard Health Services Accessibility Torture health care delivery health survey

Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85036534599&doi=10.3390%2fijerph14121484&partnerID=40&md5=476a84127a6a71e464008228c9eb1108

DOI: 10.3390/ijerph14121484
ISSN: 16617827
Cited by: 11
Original Language: English