INDONESIA AND UNITED NATIONS HIGH COMMISSIONER REFUGEES (UNHCR) EFFORTS TO ENSURE THE ACCESSIBILITY OF HEALTHCARE FACILITIES FOR REFUGEES DURING COVID-19 IN INDONESIA (2020 - 2022)

Abstract

This research aims to examine the efforts made by the UNHCR and Indonesian government to ensure that refugees in Indonesia have sufficient access to healthcare services during the COVID-19 pandemic. To fulfil its role, the Refugee Status Determination program is instrumental in Indonesia's and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees efforts to ensure healthcare accessibility for refugees during the COVID-19. In line with Liberal Institutionalism theory by Robert Keohane and Human Rights concept by Oona Hathaway, the RSD program provides a structured mechanism to assess and protect the rights of refugees, including their right to accessibility healthcare service. This thesis explains the phenomenon under consideration through qualitative research that draws on non-numerical data from books, journals, government agencies, and other non-numeric sources. In Indonesia, refugees encounter substantial obstacles in their pursuit of healthcare services. However, the UNHCR and the Indonesian government have implemented various initiatives to improve healthcare access for refugees, including the provision of COVID-19 and the deployment of healthcare workers to refugee settlements. The study identifies several challenges in the current practices for healthcare provision to refugees in Indonesia.