Policy Brief : HIV and Refugees

Conflict, persecution and violence affect millions of people worldwide, forcing them to uproot their lives. Refugees are those who flee their country of origin across national borders, often to a neighbouring country. This policy brief focuses specifically on actions required to address the spread and effect of HIV on refugees and their host communities.

At the end of 2005, there were 8.4 million refugees worldwide. Of these, approximately 30% were in sub-Saharan Africa, 29% in Central and South-West Asia, North Africa and the Middle East and 23% in Europe.

While demographic profiles differ across regions, the most recent analysis in 2001 showed that in some regions women and children are disproportionately affected.