Swiss Migrant and Refugee Communities

Switzerland is a country that welcomes many migrants and refugees. Although the government of Switzerland (much like those of other European countries and the United States) have signed agreements stating that every person in the world has a right to access basic health needs such as clean drinking water, education, medicine and equality, the refugees and migrants who come looking for better lives don't always know that they have these rights available to them. 

Why does the community have this need?:

In Switzerland, working migrants are part of a large community that struggles to get access to healthcare. With over 23% of Switzerland's population being refugees and migrant workers, a large group of people can't get their health needs met because they don't know about the laws that are supposed to protect them. Like in America, people who have immigrated to Switzerland continue to struggle to get jobs, learn a new language and fit into their country's new culture. Migrants in Switzerland move there for better job opportunities that will allow them to take care of their families, but in reality, they often have trouble getting the care they need if they get sick.

Like the United States, Switzerland has agreed to abide by an international code that values equality for all people and protects people under these laws. Therefore, refugees and migrants have a right to receive basic healthcare under this treaty. However, these people often do not receive these rights in their own countries, and they often face hardships in trying to reach countries where their rights are protected.

Pages