For these marginalised people and vulnerable groups, living in extremely precarious conditions, COVID-19 posed an even greater risk, as they had little access to healthcare and vaccinations. In response to this situation, and at the request of the health authorities, MSF launched a vaccination campaign for homeless people in June. After conducting awareness-raising activities, we sent mobile teams to day centres, shelters and food distribution points in Paris and Île-de-France region to administer vaccinations. We also carried out advocacy actions to draw the Ministry of Health’s attention to the plight of these vulnerable groups and ensure continuity of access to vaccination when our campaign finished in September. 

In March, we ended the emergency intervention launched in November 2020 in Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur and Occitanie regions to support nursing home residents and staff during the pandemic. Our teams had provided technical advice, psychological support, equipment and medical care in 47 facilities.

MSF also initiated the creation of a parliamentary commission of inquiry on migration, which resulted in a report and a conference at the National Assembly in December. This conference enabled us to present our recommendations to the deputies concerning the migration policy at internal borders, the non-respect of fundamental rights, the lack of protection for children and the precarious conditions in the camps. 

In addition, we wrote and disseminated two advocacy reports regarding the effects of government policies on the mental health of unaccompanied minors; one on the impact of successive confinements and the other on the consequences of the French non-accommodation policy. 

To improve care for unaccompanied minors, we opened a second accommodation facility in Île-de-France. We also developed our project in Marseille, opening a 20-bed shelter and running a range of services in collaboration with other organisations.