In this context, I would stress the importance of adequately trained refugee health workers who can benefit the community both in the country of origin and asylum. Finally, let me stress the strengthening of partnerships among agencies, governments, the refugees and host communities. Reproductive health involves a wide variety of specialized issues and, given the scale of the problem, go beyond the capacity of any single agency. I am therefore pleased that from the outset of this important initiative, we have established a partnership among United Nations, governmental and non-governmental agencies. However, our most important partners are the refugees themselves.
Reproductive health touches upon the most basic norms, values, and principles of society.
To succeed we must make sure that the refugees participate fully in the design, development, implementation and evaluation of the programmes. Without their commitment or cooperation, the programmes will not be sustainable. It is important therefore that the culture, norms and practices of the refugees and the host communities are fully respected. To implement a preventive reproductive health strategy will pose important challenges both in terms of financial and human resources. I believe however that preventive measures are cheaper than curative ones.