About Collaborator

Since 1998, International Organization for Migration (IOM) has provided mental health services and psychosocial support to migrants, displace and conflict affected population in many countries worldwide. In the last year, IOM Pakistan has scaled up its operations and presence in country to respond to the influx of Afghan refugees since 2021 when the Taliban took over the government. By the end of March 2022, it is estimated around 1.3 million Afghan refugees are residing in Pakistan. Additionally, since mid-June 2022, Pakistan has been hit with severe flooding and landslides caused by heavy monsoon rainfall have brought. The current flood crisis in Pakistan has killed over 1,500 people, destroyed close to one million houses; with 33 million people estimated to be directly impacted where it has been estimated 46% of the affected population are children. With this, IOM Pakistan has been scaling up its response in country to support the different emergencies. With more implementing partners being engaged and higher engagement with beneficiaries, it is essential that all the stakeholders are sensitized about the mental health of Afghan migrants.

Through Rapid Need Assessment, IOM obtained information about cultural and social dynamics that are linked to refugees’ overall wellbeing and mental health of Afghan Refugees. Rapid need assessment provided key information for designing and implementation of our psychosocial support initiatives for Afghan Migrants and host communities. The findings of the rapid need assessment have shown the need for collaboration of professional bodies, public health sector, and non-governmental organizations to integrate for provision of mental health services to migrants and host communities. The mental health status of Afghan migrants and host communities is at high risk due to constant daily life challenges, lack of basic needs, absence of mental health at primary health care level and poor knowledge of communities about mental health issues. IOM’s findings suggest that international mental health organizations, government health officials and implementing partners should come up with innovative ideas for provision of mental health psychosocial support to migrants and host communities at primary care level in Pakistan.