At the Centre for Migrant and Refugee Health (CMRH), our mission is to deliver critical health promotion and support services to the world’s most vulnerable populations, including displaced populations, refugees, migrants, and asylum seekers. In line with the World Health Organization’s (WHO) vision for health promotion, we aim to empower communities to take control of their health, improve access to essential services, and build resilience in the face of conflict, displacement, and natural disasters.
Our Australian Humanitarian Relief Services (AHRS) bridge critical gaps in healthcare, mental health, education, clean water, food security, food justice and sustainability for those affected by crises. Through sustainable solutions and compassionate care, we focus on improving long-term health outcomes by promoting health equity, increasing access to healthcare, and fostering collaboration with international and local partners.
The foundation of our approach aligns with the principles outlined in the Ottawa Charter for Health Promotion (1986) WH-1987-May-p16-17-eng.pdf (who.int), which highlights advocacy, enabling health equity, and mediation through cross-sector collaboration. By following these guiding principles, the AHRS is committed to addressing the social determinants of health and advancing the well-being of marginalized populations.
A Brief History of Health Promotion
Health promotion, as defined by the World Health Organization (WHO), is the process of enabling people to increase control over, and improve, their health. This approach was solidified at the First International Conference on Health Promotion, held in Ottawa in 1986. The Ottawa Charter for Health Promotion emerged from this conference, calling for global action to achieve Health for All. The Charter emphasized three key strategies:
- Advocate: Enhance factors that promote health and well-being.
- Enable: Ensure all individuals have the opportunity to achieve health equity.
- Mediate: Foster collaboration across all sectors to address health challenges.
Since then, subsequent Global Health Promotion Conferences have built on these principles, reinforcing health promotion as an essential strategy for achieving global health goals. Most recently, the 9th Global Conference in Shanghai (2016) highlighted the link between health promotion and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The Shanghai Declaration called for bold political actions to integrate health promotion into the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), recognizing its transformative potential to address health disparities and improve global health.
At CMRH, our AHRS operates with this global framework, addressing the unique health challenges faced by displaced and vulnerable populations in regions like South Sudan, Sudan, and other parts of Africa. We apply the principles of health promotion by advocating for improved health services, enabling access to care, and collaborating with local and international stakeholders to deliver life-saving interventions.
Health Promotion in Action: Our Commitment to Sustainable Health Solutions
At the core of our health promotion efforts is the commitment to empowering communities to take charge of their own health. By delivering preventative care, health education, and promoting equity in healthcare access, the AHRS is not only addressing immediate health needs but also working towards long-term, sustainable development in health outcomes.
Through our programs, we seek to implement the following health promotion strategies:
- Advocate: Raise awareness of the healthcare needs of displaced and marginalized populations and push for global and local resources to address these needs.
- Enable: Provide access to essential services such as primary healthcare, clean water, and mental health support, ensuring that all populations, particularly vulnerable groups, have the opportunity to improve their health.
- Mediate: Build partnerships with governments, NGOs, and local communities to implement integrated healthcare solutions that are tailored to the needs of refugees, migrants, and asylum seekers.
Fostering Global Health Equity
The CMRH, through its Australian Humanitarian Relief Services, is a driving force in the global health promotion movement. We are committed to reducing health disparities and ensuring that everyone, regardless of their circumstances, has access to the tools and resources needed to live a healthy, dignified life. Our programs are aligned with global health promotion principles, and we continue to advocate for sustainable healthcare solutions that can empower and transform the lives of the world’s most vulnerable populations.
As we move forward, we will continue to champion health promotion as a critical tool in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, while ensuring that displaced communities are not left behind. Together, through advocacy, action, and collaboration, we can create a world where health equity is not just a goal, but a reality for all.