Motion:
When looking at the consequences of forced displacement and migration, MSF must not overlook the needs of those left behind, in particular the elderly, adolescents and children, providing them with comprehensive care adapted to the needs (for instance primary medical care, mental health, nutrition, sexual and reproductive health for teenagers) and health promotion; to reduce their high level of vulnerability and warranty their physical and mental health.
Background and explanation:
Forced displacement and migration are a major source of humanitarian and medical needs in today's world. MSF has been responding to the needs of refugees and migrants, as well as the host population, since its inception and has developed over the years an increasingly comprehensive response to the complex needs of these vulnerable groups. However, the ripple effects of mass displacement and migratory movements on other population groups have been overlooked.
In different contexts, with deteriorated health systems and critical socioeconomic conditions, migration disrupts family life and coping mechanisms to such an extent that those left behind, particularly elderly and children, become groups of high vulnerability.
Mourning for the departure of close relatives and friends; children left in the care of others children and adolescents, relatives and neighbours; elderly living alone, without access to medicine or food, and in some cases even unable to mobilized themselves; makes those groups vulnerable and in many cases victims of violence, human trafficking and prostitution; affecting their physical and mental health.
Therefore, migration must be considered not only from the point of view of the migrant, requiring comprehensive care and inclusion for children, adolescents and the elderly left behind, as a part of humanitarian crisis produced by the migratory phenomenon.
FAD in Venezuela