The National Resource Center for Refugees, Immigrants, and Migrants (NRC-RIM) is funded by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the International Organization for Migration to support health departments and community organizations working with refugee, immigrant, and migrant (RIM) communities that have been disproportionately affected by health inequities.
History
While we were initially established in October 2020 as part of the nation’s COVID-19 response, we now support health departments, community organizations and others working with refugee, immigrant, and migrant communities that have been disproportionately impacted by health inequities of all kinds, not just COVID-19.
Our Work Today
In 2023, we began focusing on the public health needs of new arrival communities. Specifically, we expanded our efforts to include public health initiatives needed in Afghan communities. We are continuing that work today.
We were also charged with communicating the health requirements for Ukrainians who arrive through the Uniting for Ukraine program, and this work has largely wrapped up.
In 2024, we joined the Task Force for Global Health as part of their Migration Health Initiative. MHI works with partners to support the health of people experiencing migration, with an initial focus on ensuring that refugee, immigrant, and migrant communities in the U.S. have access to hepatitis B vaccines.
A guiding principle of our work is that solutions should be developed in genuine partnership with affected communities. Our program leverages extensive and longstanding community networks and partnerships. We strengthen connections and information sharing between community-based organizations and state and local health departments, and to establish a venue in which those that are successful can share practical lessons-learned with those that are facing challenges. Since 2020, NRC-RIM has become nationally known for excellence in public health preparedness and response, and in fostering partnerships that make a real difference in the communities.
For up to date information on NRC-RIM please subscribe to our biweekly newsletter or follow us on social media. You may also contact us at nrcrim@umn.edu