Everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for ... the health
and well-being of himself and his family, including food, clothing, housing,
medical care and necessary social services, and the right to security...
--Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Article 25
Staying well in a new country can be difficult. Asylum seekers and refugees
may have poor nutritional status (and consequent lowered immunity) due to lack
of adequate food before, during and after displacement. In addition, living
in overcrowded conditions facilitates increased transmission of infectious diseases.
Most asylum seekers are living on a very limited budget and they may have limited
access to cooking facilities and traditional foods.
Community organisations can often provide the best space for developing exercise
and nutritional educational and offers a supportive space for creative and social
events (however, they may not be accessible in rural areas). Lack of funds,
may mean that asylum seekers are unable to afford to use local sports facilities
(and in some cultures ‘exercise’ may not be familiar)- in some areas,
sports centres have special rates for low income families- it may even be possible
to prescribe exercise on prescription. One option that maybe worth pursing is
an allotment- this allows the asylum seeker to grow their own food, socialise
and exercise at the same time…