Considering the COVID-19 global public health crisis, this paper examines the socio-cultural, economic and psychosocial impact of the pandemic on urban refugees in Uganda. We analyse the living conditions of urban refugees that make it problematic for them to adhere to public health measures. Since COVID-19 is perceived as “imported”, refugees are assumed as its potential transmitters, consequently experiencing heightened stigma and isolation. Lack of culturally and linguistically accessible information and services excludes them from on-going efforts to prevent the pandemic. The lockdown has affected refugee livelihoods and increased income insecurity, sexual and gender-based violence and anxiety. Given the paucity of government-led services to contain the epidemic, we argue that contingency planning must involve refugees and their communities to access accurate and relevant information in appropriate languages. It is also important to build the capacity of frontline workers to understand the specific needs of refugees to deliver appropriate protection in the context of the pandemic.

Global forced migration rates are the highest since World War II. This article presents an overview of migration and presents an original argument as to the imperatives for social work. First, global trends are presented and forced migration is conceptualised as an international phenomenon. Second, global responses are explored with a focus on legal and protection frameworks. Finally, existing policy, practice and research gaps related to human mobility and forced displacement are examined, and recommendations for social work policy, research and practice are presented. The contextual influence of the Covid-19 pandemic is considered in this article.

The novel coronavirus which was first detected in the Hubei province of China in November-December 2019 [1] quickly spread across the world, threatening global health security [2]. The World Health Organization (WHO) declared COVID-19 a global pandemic and called for a strong response from countries [3]. In response, countries across the world swiftly instituted various […]

This paper examines the sexual and reproductive health (SRH) knowledge, experiences, service access, and unmet needs of Rohingya adolescent refugee girls living in the camps of Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh. The refugee population in these camps is approximately 1.3 million, with more than half under the age of 18 and girls representing over one quarter of the total. Given the growing proportion of adolescent girls, SRH knowledge and service provision are critical both for the refugee community and for Bangladesh’s broader sustainable development goals. Drawing on direct accounts from adolescent girls and insights from community-based key informants, this research explores levels of SRH awareness, willingness to seek care, encounters with sexual violence, understanding of sexually transmitted diseases, and reproductive health priorities. It also identifies barriers to service delivery faced by healthcare and humanitarian providers. The findings highlight how cultural norms, social constraints, and religious beliefs intersect with structural barriers—including lack of education, financial dependence, gender-based violence, and the need for parental or spousal consent—to restrict access to SRH services. Despite these challenges, some participants reported successfully receiving reproductive health care. This paper calls for coordinated action from the government, humanitarian agencies, and social service organisations to improve both the availability and accessibility of SRH services for adolescent refugee girls. Strategies should include enhanced outreach, culturally responsive engagement, and sustained follow-up care to promote safety, dignity, and well-being within the camps.

Introduction: Sexual and reproductive health (SRH) is an important global health issue linked to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Adolescents in refugee settings face specific SRH needs and risks, and limited access to needed services. This research, therefore, aimed to develop an understanding of SRH needs of, and risks to, adolescent refugees, to inform adolescent sexual and reproductive health policies and programmes. Methodology: The study employed qualitative approaches. Seventeen in-depth interviews were conducted with adolescent refugees and nine key informant interviews with stakeholders, including representatives from NGOs, health facility workers and refugee leaders. We performed content and thematic analysis drawing on the ecological systems theory framework. Findings: Reproductive health issues presented by adolescent refugees included menstruation supplies, reproductive health education and contraception. Participants reported several reproductive health risk factors that include risky sexual relationships, child abuse in homes, early marriage, teenage pregnancies and forced marriage, and sexual and gender-based violence. Conclusion: The findings highlight significant gaps in adolescent refugees’ knowledge and access to SRH services. These gaps are shaped by cultural norms, limited service availability, and lack of targeted SRH education for young people in refugee settings. Recommendation: Targeted training is vital to guaranteeing efficient delivery of SRH services; with humanitarian organisations ensuring their personnel is appropriately trained to support adolescent refugees and their SRH needs. Culturally appropriate services are required to ensure greater buy-in and build trusting relationships with the population.