UNICEF: Mobile Clinics in Migrant Communities

Mobile clinics are being sent to migrant communities in western and southern Belize as part of a joint effort between the United Nations Population Fund, UN Refugee Agency, United Nation’s Children Fund and International Organization for Migration.  According to UNICEF Belize, the pop-up clinics will allow for agencies to coordinate humanitarian assistance and support to respond to the emerging health issues such as domestic violence and reproductive health of migrants, refugees and residents of their host communities.  The clinics will also provide access to legal services, birth registration, psychosocial services, and to information on the asylum procedures.  The mobile centers are expected to expand coverage for those who often cannot access established or more centralized service locations due to limited mobility, distance, insecurity or other obstacles.  The clinics will be rolled out in three phases beginning with Bella Vista this week and continuing in the Valley of Peace at the end of February and mid-March in Benque Viejo.  All those accessing the clinic will need to adhere to strict COVID-19 protocols.  An appointment system is in place to manage flow of those seeking the mobile clinic services.