key: cord-0940224-km98iq78 authors: Cénat, Jude Mary; Darius, Wina Paul; Noorishad, Pari-Gole; McIntee, Sara-Emilie; Dromer, Elisabeth; Mukunzi, Joana Ntunga; Solola, Oluwafayoslami; Williams, Monnica T. title: War in Ukraine and Racism: The Physical and Mental Health of Refugees of Color Matters date: 2022-04-27 journal: Int J Public Health DOI: 10.3389/ijph.2022.1604990 sha: 020c7ec3436b85fe9931ec4d63fe3236c33b62e3 doc_id: 940224 cord_uid: km98iq78 nan without hesitation [7, 14] . Refugees of color from Ukraine now carry a double trauma: the burden of war in addition to racism. War is a highly traumatic experience that has detrimental impacts on physical and mental health resulting in problems such as injuries, anxiety, depression, PTSD, hypertension, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease [5, 15] . Refugees of color experiencing racial trauma before and after crossing borders may experience exacerbated consequences. Racial trauma refers to dangerous experiences related to threats, prejudices, harm, shame, humiliation, and guilt associated with various types of racial discrimination experienced either as a victim or as a witness [8] . It has been associated with PTSD, depression, anxiety, increased suicidal ideation and attempts, hypertension, diabetes, heart disease, etc. [4, 15] . The addition of physical and mental health problems related to war, racism, and the current COVID-19 pandemic can further deteriorate the health of refugees of color. The racism experienced by refugees of color may also impact the health of POC in Western countries who were outraged by the racist images and comments of journalists, political commentators, and politicians. It may also impact their sense of belonging. Citizenship and belonging remain debated concepts. The racism experienced by refugees of color during the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine further complicates POC's conceptualizations of belonging to Western societies. The racist treatment experienced by refugees of color at different borders constitutes a crack in the Western unity against the Russian regime. Racial tensions at European borders highlighted once again the unfairness of certain Western ideologies and policies. If the West can achieve unity in the face of violence, why then is that same compassion not extended to non-White refugees? The treatment of refugees of color has impacted the remaining faith of POC in Western democracies [16] . The more these groups are ostracized and othered, the less merit they will find in the values of a democracy [16] . This has impacted their sense of belonging, provoked neutral opinion about this war among some POC communities, and some now support the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Some may think that discussions on the inhumane treatment of refugees of color can wait until after the war in Ukraine has ended. However, human lives are at risk every second and no refugee should be denied basic rights because of interactions between their identities and others' ideological beliefs. In addition, experiences of racism within Ukrainian borders not only impacts the health of thousands of refugees of color, but also POC in Western countries. Solidarity movements are occurring in Canada, the United Kingdom, France, and the United States among POC communities in direct support of refugees of color [13] . We should all be reminded that violence and racism have no borders and are matters that concern us all. We urge countries that border Ukraine and those that are receiving refugees, United Nations' agencies, nongovernmental organisations, and others to provide support and care with an antiracist health approach. In addition to reducing the impact of the war on both the physical and mental health of refugees of color, an antiracist health approach toward refugees will improve POC's views of Western democracy and show communities of color that they matter [17] . We must ensure that every person, regardless of race and culture, finds safe refuge and is welcomed with open arms. To refugees of color, we see you, we hear you, and we believe in you. All authors listed have made a substantial, direct, and intellectual contribution to the work and approved it for publication. 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The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) and the copyright owner(s) are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.