The University of the Balearic Islands is to offer a course on caring for migrants who make the journeys to the Balearics by sea. This will focus on learning about the conditions under which migrants arrive and their needs. The course, which will start in September, is part of a ‘micro-credentials’ programme offered by the Balearic University-Business Foundation and with EU Next Generation funds.
The topic of this course was proposed by Caminando Fronteras, an organisation for the rights of migrants. It will be aimed mainly at healthcare and social care professionals between the ages of 25 and 64. Lecturers will include specialists in subjects such as epidemiology.
The content will be related to the impact of human rights violence on the physical and mental health of migrants, attention to physical and psychological demands, support for grief, and self-care for migrants.
Professor Julia Gallo says: “People who make the sea crossing arrive in very poor condition. The course is about understanding what we know about this topic. Professionals need to be trained to provide better care.”
People arrive in the Balearics having been at sea for an average of 15 days with hardly any water or supplies and very limited freedom of movement.