The North Africa Post
The 1st regional winter school on the migrants’ health was opened on Monday in Rabat by chief of mission of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) Ana Fonseca, Finland ambassador Pekka Hyvönen and Director of National School of Public Health (ENSP), Abdelmounim Belalia.
The five-day event will look into several issues related to the sexual, reproductive and mental health of migrants. It also seeks to enhance health cooperation between countries facing migration scourge and protect migrants’ health during their perilous journey to Europe. The encounter is part of IOM-Morocco Mission program titled:
“Promoting the health and protection of vulnerable migrants transiting Morocco, Tunisia, Libya, Egypt and Yemen”. For IOM chief in Morocco Ana Fonseca, the gathering aims to address the migrants’ health issues and ensure their access to basic health services in transit or host countries.
The ambassador of Finland to Morocco Pekka Hyvönen praised IOM initiative which is supported by his country with a view to provide healthcare to migrants, while ENSP director said this project is part of a cooperation agreement signed last year between IOM and Morocco’s national school of public health. Morocco’s human rights based policy has been commended worldwide.
The country has regularized the situation of over 50,000 migrants, in two campaigns, providing them protection and assistance as well as access to health care and education services, including professional and vocational training.
In 2013, Morocco introduced a National Immigration and Asylum Policy (PNIA). The policy enables refugees to access essential services, such as education, health care, and employment. The North African Kingdom is also a destination for sub-Saharan African migrants, who either remain in the country or use it as a gateway to Europe. A 2019 study showed that around 700,000 sub-Saharan African migrants live in Morocco.
POSTED BY NORTH AFRICA POST
North Africa Post’s news desk is composed of journalists and editors, who are constantly working to provide new and accurate stories to NAP readers.
