According to UNHCR, there are more than 50 million people around the world who have fled their homes as refugees, internally displaced people or asylum seekers, half of whom are women and children.
On June 20, 2015, AHA joined the United Nations in recognizing the resilience and strength of refugees on World Refugee Day. AHA Country Offices across Africa celebrated the occasion by holding a variety of events all throughout the month of June, with the theme: “Refugees: Ordinary People Forced to Flee”.
In Liberia, AHA celebrated WRD at the Bahn camp in Nimba, where events were attended by many government representatives, including the Senator of Nimba County, the executive director of the Liberia Refugee Repatriation and Resettlement Council, the US Ambassador to Liberia, the Acting Representative of UNHCR Liberia and the Head of Sub-office of UNHCR. In addition, there were a number of diplomats, donors and members of the refugee community present.
Health promotion activities: The WRD celebrations brought together a large number of refugee and host communities. AHA took advantage of this opportunity to conduct public health education sessions on EVD, Malaria and HIV/AIDS prevention. Twelve health professionals participated in the promotion of public health, distributing six thousand information leaflets and three thousand condoms to members of local host communities
Malaria “test and treat” campaign: Malaria is the most prevalent disease at the Bahn Camp. In response, AHA held a day-long Malaria “test and treat” campaign, where outreach screenings and a testing site were established, providing rapid tests and fever medication to 170 and 26 individuals, respectively.
Celebrating our volunteers: AHA Bahn caters to more than 5,400 refugees and host communities. In an effort to ensure maximum efficiency of service provision, AHA involves volunteers to serve as community health workers and traditional birth attendants at the camp. With volunteer support, AHA has been able to reach a 100 percent success rate in the delivery of antenatal and post natal services in Bahn camp.
In recognition of the magnificent contribution of the many community health workers and traditional birth attendants that volunteer with AHA, certificates were awarded to 15 health workers and 26 birth assistants on World Refugee Day.
Emergency medical and ambulance service: AHA put a team of professionals on standby and provided emergency medical and ambulance service throughout the celebrations.