National Resource Center for Refugees, Immigrants, and Migrants
NRC-RIM supports health departments and community organizations working with refugee, immigrant, and migrant (RIM) communities that have been disproportionately affected by COVID-19.
While COVID-19 is a public health threat to the entire US population, there is growing evidence that the outbreak disproportionately affects some populations, including certain refugee, immigrant and migrant communities. NRC-RIM is funded by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and housed within the Center for Global Health and Social Responsibility at the University of Minnesota.
A guiding principle of NRC-RIM is that solutions should be developed in genuine partnership with affected communities. The program leverages extensive and longstanding community networks and partnerships to accomplish meaningful work.
NRC-RIM SPOTLIGHT
Since its creation in 2020, NRC-RIM has developed initiatives supporting COVID-19 mitigation, prevention, and control measures including case investigation and contact tracing, vaccinations, and fact-based education.
In the first months of the project, the team at NRC-RIM prioritized creating linguistically- and culturally-appropriate health communications and health education, working closely with local community members, grassroots organizations, and other community groups.
What we do
Despite their challenges, refugees, immigrants, and migrants are an integral part of the nation’s social, cultural, and economic vitality. They have proven that they are strong, resilient and dedicated to the success of the communities where they live during this unprecedented time. With the right tools, we can eliminate the health disparities they face.
- Pilot Projects: Support innovative pilot projects between health departments and community-based organizations
- Best and Promising Practices: Develop and disseminate strategies, approaches, or programs that have anecdotally shown to have a positive impact in local settings
- Online Training: Create online training resources for public health professionals working with RIM communities
- Technical Assistance: Provide direct support to state and local health departments through technical assistance requests
- Health Education and Health Communications: Develop and disseminate linguistically and culturally appropriate health education and health communications resources for RIM communities
Vaccine Central
One of the project’s most popular resources sets health departments and community organizations up for success as they plan forCOVID-19 vaccine roll-out among RIM communities. Check out NRC-RIM resources and fact sheets that support vaccine efforts among refugee, immigrant, and migrant communities. Learn more
Project Partners
The University of Minnesota coordinates the NRC with expertise and support from several partners already working with communities and with demonstrated success in this field, including the International Rescue Committee, Migrant Clinicians Network, Minnesota Department of Health, National Association of County and City Health Officials, and IDEO.org.