The Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR) is the origin and host to an increasing number of forcibly displaced people, mainly due to conflicts and economic disparities. Overall, 66% of the world's refugees originate from EMR. The numbers of internally displaced persons (IDPs) have been growing steadily in the region during the past decades, rising to 19.5 million in 2020, 45% of the world's total. Some 11.7 million of these (including 5.7 million Palestinians) remain in the region while the rest have taken the risk of difficult journeys to countries outside of the region in search of asylum and better life. These populations are often at higher risk of poor health due to the conditions they live in and limited access to quality health care.
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