ICMHD's work is guided by the principle that the right to health applies to all people, including migrants, refugees, and asylum seekers, and that in protecting the health of people on the move, the health and welfare of the larger society is also promoted and protected.

The International Centre for Migration, Health and Development is a Swiss-based non-profit institution established in 1995. Its mandate is to work on research, training and policy advocacy on population movement and health, and in doing so, support national governments, international agencies, NGOs, private sector groups and others working on issues related to migration, health and development.