Refugee health information for healthcare providers

Overview
Health needs
Health needs

New Zealand is one of many countries which offer a home to refugees and people with high need such as medically disabled, women at risk, and protection cases as identified by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.

For health providers, it is very important to understand the very different backgrounds and health needs of refugees as most are at risk of significant health issues. Specific focus on refugee health is required to ensure this vulnerable population receives optimal care and support. Refugee families also need additional support and guidance as they learn to navigate a health system that's often very different to healthcare in their homeland and previous experiences in refugee camps or countries.

What is a refugee?

Any person who, owing to a well founded fear of being persecuted for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group or political opinion, is outside the country of his/her nationality and is unable, or owing to such fear, is unwilling to avail himself/herself of the protection of that country. 1951 Refugee Convention

The refugee experience

As explained in the 2012 Refugee Handbook, the ‘refugee experience’ refers to the physical, psychological and social experiences of refugees as they flee conflict and persecution and seek safety.

“Refugee experiences are diverse. Some refugees, such as those from Southern Sudan, have endured years of warfare. Others, such as the Hazara from Afghanistan, have suffered internal displacement or repression within their own countries for long periods. Still others have been subjected to siege conditions in their home towns and cities, as in Burma, or have lived through the terror of total anarchy, as in Somalia. Many have survived detention, physical violence, rape and perilous journeys to countries of asylum, only to endure a hand-to-mouth existence in dangerous overcrowded camps or urban refugee environments.”

Re-migration experiences may lead to high health needs on arrival.
Very few refugees have emerged from their experiences without having endured or witnessed some form of physical or psychological trauma.
Approximately 40 percent of refugees have experienced severe trauma, such as witnessing killings – often of their own family members.
Long-term physical and psychological suffering are a common feature of the ‘refugee experience’.

After living in New Zealand for a number of years, additional health problems can arise which are associated with lifestyle changes which can result in adverse health patterns eg mental health conditions, uptake of tobacco smoking, increasing obesity, and reduced physical activity.

Refugee groups require tailored and targeted health interventions. In particular, health services which are culturally and linguistically responsive to the refugee groups that they serve will improve access, provide early intervention and reduce avoidable hospitalisations.

Culturally appropriate and safe care may include consideration of a broad range of areas including language, migration history, religious beliefs, cultural values, health beliefs, health seeking behaviours, and non-western models of health more generally. Additionally, the unique ways in which these intersect with other identities such as age, gender, sexual orientation, socioeconomic position, and visa status, require attention.

How do refugees arrive in New Zealand?

There are three ways in which refugees arrive in New Zealand:

1. Under the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) mandated quota system (‘quota refugees’)

The quota for UNHCR-mandated refugees to enter New Zealand is set annually by Cabinet.
Currently the quota is set at 1500 per year. Read more here.
On arrival, quota refugees spend a 5-week orientation period in the Te Āhuru Mōwai o Aotearoa (Mangere Refugee Resettlement Centre).
On arrival, health screening is provided by the Auckland Regional Public Health Service, Refugee Health Service.

2. As refugee family-sponsored migrants under the Refugee Family Support Category – RFSC (‘family reunification’)

Those entering the country under this category are relatives of refugees already living in New Zealand.
The objective of the RFSC is to help refugees living in New Zealand to settle by allowing the sponsorship of family members for residence in New Zealand who do not qualify for residence under any other immigration policy.
The sponsored relatives may be refugees, but this is not a requirement of the policy.
The application costs and the air travel are generally met by relatives who are themselves often struggling with their own resettlement costs and challenges.
There are 600 residence places available under the RFSC annually. Read more here.

3. As spontaneous refugees (‘asylum seekers’)

Asylum seekers usually seek refugee status on arrival at our borders, or when their temporary visa or permit expires.
Claims for refugee status are confirmed or rejected by Immigration New Zealand depending on whether their circumstances meet the criteria set out in the UN Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees.
Those who are successful are then eligible to apply for permanent residence and later, New Zealand citizenship.

Where do refugees come from?

In the last 2 decades the largest groups of refugees to New Zealand have come from:

Vietnam
Laos
Cambodia
Burma
Iran
Iraq
Afghanistan.

Refugees have also come from:

Tunisia, Palestine, Syria, Kuwait, Algeria, China, Sri Lanka, Bosnia, former Yugoslavia, Somalia, Djibouti, Eritrea, the Sudan, Ethiopia, Burundi, Rwanda, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Republic of Congo (Congo-Brazzaville), Sierra Leone, and Colombia. More recently, NZ has accepted refugees from Ukraine.

Professional interpreters

Studies have shown the use of professional interpreters is an important safety and cultural factor for refugee health. Most regions now have access to interpreter services. Contact your local hospital or read more in the languages section.