In Belgium, one of the only rights granted by law to undocumented migrants is the right to access healthcare. Sadly, in practice this is incredibly difficult, mostly because of red tape and patients' fear of saying who they are and where they live - required information in order to obtain treatment.
click here
France
Whilst healthcare and legal solutions do exist, undocumented migrants in France experience many difficulties in obtaining the information and documents necessary to access state medical aid.
click here
Italy
Italy receives thousands of migrants arriving by boat from Africa each year. Upon arrival, many of these people are weakened and in need of food, water and medical attention. In 2005/2006, MSF provided medical care for over 20,000 recent arrivals and migrant workers and opened new projects to reach more people in need.
click here
Luxembourg
Luxembourg is one of the most developed and richest countries in the world, where the inhabitants enjoy high health standards. But hidden problems remain, one of them being the rapidly growing use of illegal and psychotropic drugs.
click here
Poland
Poland is hosting thousands of Chechen refugees seeking asylum in Western Europe. Following two wars and continuing violence and insecurity, thousands of Chechens thinking they no longer had a future in their own land have fled their country. At the start of November 2005, over 3,500 people were held in 16 separate camps in Poland.
click here
Russian Federation
Eleven years after the start of the first Chechen conflict and despite official rhetoric claiming the situation has 'normalised', the majority of Chechens still struggle through lives burdened by fear, uncertainty and poverty. Thousands of Chechen refugees have been forced by Russian and Ingush authorities to repatriate from neighbouring Ingushetia. Their homes destroyed and lacking basic needs such as clean water and healthcare, many Chechens face grim conditions in overcrowded, temporary accommodation centres (TACs). Access to the republic remains a pressing problem.
click here
Switzerland
Switzerland boasts one of the highest standards of living in the world, and many residents benefit from excellent healthcare. With substantial fees and/or health insurance required to see a doctor, however, barriers in accessing medical services exist for a sector of the population.
click here
MIDDLE EAST
Lebanon
In July 2006, civilians in Lebanon were trapped by an intensifying war between Lebanese Hezbollah fighters and the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF). Ongoing fighting, including bombings, caused hundreds of thousands of people to flee their homes and left many civilians with a limited capacity to meet basic needs including healthcare.
click here
Palestinian Territories
Many people living in the Palestinian Territories experience direct violence, isolation, restrictions on movement, and difficulties accessing healthcare. The living conditions have psychological consequences for many individuals, manifesting as depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder or psychosomatic illness. MSF teams provide psychological and medical care and social work assistance to help.
click here
More from MSF
MEDECINS SANS FRONTIERES - Rue de Lausanne 78 - CP 116 - 1211 - Geneva 21 - SWITZERLAND
Tel: +41 (22) 849.84.00 - Fax: +41 (22) 849.84.04 CONTACT MSF
