The economic and social situation of refugees in the city of Yazd and the nature of the pathogenesis and transmission of COVID-19 have led to serious concerns among health officials about the widespread of the disease in the refugee population and the high mortality rate in this population. The program helped alleviate some of the concerns about the spread of the disease among refugees. Refugees living in Yazd felt that the health system was concerned about their health. Using Afghan volunteers made it easier to communicate with refugees - especially those who are unofficially in the city. Also, due to the coexistence of refugees with the people of Yazd, this program helped the overall control of the disease in society.

According to the results of the 2016 Iranian Population and Housing Census, Yazd province is among the top 5 provinces in terms of accommodation for the refugee population, while a much larger number of refugees are living informally in this province. The city of Yazd lacks a host city to accommodate refugees, and the refugees live next to the host population and mainly in the old and suburban context of the city. In 2016, in a joint collaboration between Yazd Health Center, Yazd General Directorate of Foreigners and Relief International (RI), 90 Afghan volunteers were trained for 250 hours in areas related to personal health and public health. With the outbreak of corona in Yazd, due to the economic and social situation of refugees, the spread of the disease in this part of the population was considered. Large families, collective housing, poverty and individual protection measures, and poorer prevention in this group have raised concerns about the widespread epidemic in the refugee population. Therefore, the training and screening program of this population was started using the existing capacities. Members of the refugee population who had previous cases in the health units were followed up by health care providers, and the second group, which was more difficult to obtain, was followed up by Afghan volunteers. Also, in a national and well-liked move, the cost of hospital services for COVID-19 refugees became free.

This initiative therefore tackles themes pertinent to migrant/refugee populations, and it addresses vulnerably refugee populations as well. Refugees are among the most vulnerable groups to the health risks, as they are deprived of some health services for reasons such as economic poverty, cultural differences, and poor access to insurance services. Providing educational, screening, diagnostic and treatment services to this group will improve justice indicators.

The initiative therefore aims to provide COVID-19 disease education, diagnosis and treatment among refugees living in Yazd.

Regarding post-pandemic prospects in cities like Yazd that have a significant population of refugees, their health is important. This is important both for the health of the refugee population and for its impact on the health of the host population. Because a significant proportion of refugees do not have a valid residence permit, it is not possible to register them in health systems, and it is difficult to provide active health services to this group and follow up on care. Utilizing the capacity of honorary Afghan health volunteers provides an opportunity at any time to provide a two-way communication between the refugee population and the health system. Health education is transferred to the refugee population through volunteers, and the health status, concerns and health factors in this population are transferred to the health system through these volunteers.

Upon competion of the initiative, it was found that the incidence of the disease in the refugee population of Yazd was reduced.