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What we do

Médecins Sans Frontières brings medical humanitarian assistance to victims of conflict, natural disasters, epidemics or healthcare exclusion.

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Featured Ebola Gaza Israel war Humanitarian aid cuts

Medical Activities

MSF Measles Vaccination in DRC

Learn about how, why, and where MSF teams respond to different diseases around the world, and the challenges we face in providing treatment.

Crisis Settings

Aden besieged

Learn about the different contexts and situations in which MSF teams respond to provide care, including war and natural disaster settings, and how and why we adapt our activities to each.

COVID-19 Project in Mons, Belgium

Learn about our response and our work in depth on specific themes and events.

Where we work

In more than 70 countries, Médecins Sans Frontières provides medical humanitarian assistance to save lives and ease the suffering of people in crisis situations.

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Featured Haiti Palestine Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)

Africa

Ethiopia, Democratic Republic of Congo, Nigeria

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Asia & Pacific

Japan, Hong Kong, Sri Lanka

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Middle East & North Africa

Middle East & North Africa

Libya, Lebanon, Iran

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Europe & Central Asia

Europe & Central Asia

Albania, Ukraine, Belgium

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The Americas

Brazil, United States of America, Jamaica

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MSF Websites

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Our offices around the world

Our offices around the world

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MSF Access

MSF Access pushes for access to, and the development of, life-saving and life-prolonging medicines, diagnostic tests and vaccines for people in our programmes and beyond.

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CRASH

Based in Paris, CRASH conducts and directs studies and analysis of MSF actions. They participate in internal training sessions and assessment missions in the field.

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UREPH

Based in Geneva, UREPH (or Research Unit) aims to improve the way MSF projects are implemented in the field and to participate in critical thinking on humanitarian and medical action.

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ARHP

Based in Barcelona, ARHP documents and reflects on the operational challenges and dilemmas faced by the MSF field teams.

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MSF Analysis

Based in Brussels, MSF Analysis intends to stimulate reflection and debate on humanitarian topics organised around the themes of migration, refugees, aid access, health policy and the environment in which aid operates.

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MSF Supply

This logistical and supply centre in Brussels provides storage of and delivers medical equipment, logistics and drugs for international purchases for MSF missions.

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MSF Logistique

This supply and logistics centre in Bordeaux, France, provides warehousing and delivery of medical equipment, logistics and drugs for international purchases for MSF missions.

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Amsterdam Procurement Unit

This logistical centre in Amsterdam purchases, tests, and stores equipment including vehicles, communications material, power supplies, water-processing facilities and nutritional supplements.

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Brazilian Medical Unit

BRAMU specialises in neglected tropical diseases, such as dengue and Chagas, and other infectious diseases. This medical unit is based in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

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MSF Medical Guidelines

Our medical guidelines are based on scientific data collected from MSF’s experiences, the World Health Organization (WHO), other renowned international medical institutions, and medical and scientific journals.

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Epicentre

Providing epidemiological expertise to underpin our operations, conducting research and training to support our goal of providing medical aid in areas where people are affected by conflict, epidemics, disasters, or excluded from health care.

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Evaluation Units

Evaluation Units have been established in Vienna, Stockholm, and Paris, assessing the potential and limitations of medical humanitarian action, thereby enhancing the effectiveness of our medical humanitarian work.

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LGBTQI+ Inclusion in Health Settings

MSF works with LGBTQI+ populations in many settings over the last 25-30 years. LGBTQI+ people face healthcare disparities with limited access to care and higher disease rates than the general population.

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LUXOR

The Luxembourg Operational Research (LuxOR) unit coordinates field research projects and operational research training, and provides support for documentation activities and routine data collection.

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Intersectional Benchmarking Unit

The Intersectional Benchmarking Unit collects and analyses data about local labour markets in all locations where MSF employs people.

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MSF Academy for Healthcare

To upskill and provide training to locally-hired MSF staff in several countries, MSF has created the MSF Academy for Healthcare.

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Humanitarian Law

This Guide explains the terms, concepts, and rules of humanitarian law in accessible and reader-friendly alphabetical entries.

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MSF Paediatric Days

The MSF Paediatric Days is an event for paediatric field staff, policy makers and academia to exchange ideas, align efforts, inspire and share frontline research to advance urgent paediatric issues of direct concern for the humanitarian field.

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MSF Foundation

The MSF Foundation aims to create a fertile arena for logistics and medical knowledge-sharing to meet the needs of MSF and the humanitarian sector as a whole.

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DNDi

A collaborative, patients’ needs-driven, non-profit drug research and development organisation that is developing new treatments for neglected diseases, founded in 2003 by seven organisations from around the world.

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MSF Science Portal

Our digital portal dedicated to sharing the latest medical evidence from our humanitarian activities around the globe.

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Noma

Noma is a preventable and treatable neglected disease, but 90 per cent of people will die within the first two weeks of infection if they do not receive treatment.

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TIC

The TIC is aiming to change how MSF works to better meet the evolving needs of our patients.

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Telemedicine

MSF's telemedicine hub aims to overcome geographic barriers for equitable, accessible, and quality patient care.

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Sweden Innovation Unit

Launched in 2012, the MSF Sweden Innovation Unit deploys a human-centered approach for promoting a culture of innovation within MSF.

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Geo MSF

The GeoMSF platform is a dynamic one-stop-shop website for all of MSF's GIS related services and products. Access maps and applications through the catalogue, request geographical support, or produce a map on GeoMSF.

GeoMSF

A migrant walks away from an abandonned house where some asylum seekers seek refuge for the night when they are not allowed inside the asylum centre in Bogovadja. The house is missing many windows and is not heated. There is no running water, no toilet or bathroom and no electricity. It is winter and often below zero degrees temperatures and snowing outside. — “It is inhumane! I thought Europeans were good people. Now what am I supposed to think of them when they treat us worse than criminals?” said a Togolese migrant.

Transit denied: stranded in cold Serbia

“It is inhumane! I thought Europeans were good people. Now what am I supposed to think of them when they treat us worse than criminals?” said a Togolese migrant.

© Julie Remy

Ebola disease in DRC: find out how we're responding

Ebola disease in DRC: find out how we're responding

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Photo Story19 February 2015

On their journey through the Balkans to seek better protection and assistance in Europe, many asylum seekers, refugees and migrants are stranded in forests and abandoned buildings in Serbia. They struggle through the cold weather without sufficient food or shelter, and have limited access to basic medical care. They are exposed to the risk of criminal networks, physical attacks and robberies. The European Union asylum system has so far failed to offer them aid and protection upon arrival. Not allowed to transit through the EU, they have no choice but to use irregular migration routes to reach safety and protection. Many have already experienced appalling conditions while being detained in Greece and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. They are forced to continue this long journey, without knowing where it will end.

In Subotica, hundreds of asylum seekers and migrants used to stay in an old brick factory. MSF was running a mobile clinic there to help those with health issues. But migrants and asylum seekers said the police often raid the location. “They came 4 days ago and took everyone who didn't manage to escape.” — No refuge found in Europe.

In Subotica, hundreds of asylum seekers and migrants used to stay in an old brick factory. MSF was running a mobile clinic there to help those with health issues. But migrants and asylum seekers said the police often raid the location. “They came 4 days ago and took everyone who didn't manage to escape.” — In Subotica, near the Hungarian border, hundreds of asylum seekers and migrants used to shelter in an old brick factory, but now the place is empty. “The police came four days ago and took everyone who didn't manage to escape,” said an asylum seeker.

'From walking all that time without socks I ended up having huge blisters. It's OK now, but look, we can still see some of it': Said a 37 years old Afghan man who has done his entire journey without socks. 'I have been staying here in the brick factory for 2 weeks ½. The police took all my money and everything I had. They come every 2 or 3 days, either in the morning or in the night, and they burn everything. They burnt my bag with all my clothes in it. They stole 375 EUR from me. I cannot leave anymore as I have no more money. I don’t know what to do, I cannot leave this place, I cannot go back to my country… What I am supposed to do? Here the only problem is the police, Serbian people are good people but the police that come at the brick factory is bad.' A pair of warm socks was given to the man by the MSF team. — “From walking all that time without socks I ended up having huge blisters. It's OK now, but look, we can still see some of them,” said a 37-year-old Afghan man who has made his entire journey without socks.

“They burnt everything. They asked us to remove our shoes, our jackets and burn all our belongings. All the clothes I'm wearing now were given to me. These shoes. a guy was wearing them and the police asked him to take them off and burnt them. The police come every 2 or 3 days, either in the morning or in the night, and they burn everything. Look at these ashes: mobile phones, clothes, shoes…. All people belongings. They burnt my bag with all my clothes in it. Here the only problem is the police, Serbian people are good people but the police that come at the brick factory is bad.” — A pair of burnt shoes left in the 'jungle'. “The police burnt everything. They asked us to remove our shoes, our jackets and burnt all our belongings,” said a 17-year-old Afghan refugee.

The plastic sheeting makeshift camp made by asylum seekers and migrants in the 'jungle' in Subotica. As temperatures reach well below zero at this time of year, they use all they can to keep warm for the short naps they do until they need to go back near the fire to warm up again. They said the tent they live into was damaged by the police a few days ago. 'They came and set fire to the plastic of the tent and tore it. It didn't burn completely, but it damaged it. They hit some of us with sticks and made a pile with our jackets, blankets and other belongings right behind the camp and burnt them 4 days ago.’ : says a 17 year old Afghan migrant. — The remains of the burnt belongings from the refugees and migrants. These include their jackets and blankets.

A 30 year old Somali man who was refused access in the Bogovadja Asylum Centre after two days in Serbia asking for asylum. Meanwhile, he is sleeping outside, has 38,5 C fever, severe cough and chest pain with lots of mucus in his lungs. MSF is providing him with a new pair of shoes, socks, fresh underwear, and a specifically designed “transit kit” including: soups, energy bars, teas, sugar, coffee, rasor, comb, soap towel toothbrush, torch lamp, rain poncho, a metal cup and matches. — On a mobile clinic consultation in Bogovadja, MSF provides a new pair of shoes, socks, fresh underwear, and a “transit kit” to a feverish Somali man. Despite the sub-zero temperatures, he will have to sleep outside tonight.

During a mobile clinic in Bogovadja, Nevena, an MSF Serbian doctor and Greek Medical coordinator Vasiliki Armeniakou, examine the foot of a diabetic Somali man who had trouble controling his blood sugar in the last while due to an error in the type of insulin provided to him along his journey. Due to the poor controle of his glycemia, his foot injury is not healing well. It should improve now that he was seen by a diabetes specialist in Belgrade. (MSF brought him). And his sugar levels are getting back to normal. — MSF doctors examine the foot of a diabetic Somali man who has trouble controlling his blood sugar level due to the lack of proper insulin medication and his precarious journey.

Vasiliki Armeniakou, Greek MSF medical coordinator, changes the dressing of a burnt 6 year old Syrian boy with the help of his father, during a mobile clinic done in the back of a van, in Bogovadja. The boy was burnt by a dysfunctioning shower while he was in detention with his father in Macedonia 6 days ago. He was cared for in detention, but since had no access to health care to redress the burn. — A six-year-old Syrian boy was burnt by a broken shower in a detention centre in the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia six days ago. His wound had not been redressed for days and an MSF nurse changes the dressing for him during a consultation.

During a mobile clinic in Bogovadja, Nevena, an MSF Serbian doctor, examins a 21 year old Syrian man who has been in Serbia for 3 days and has left his country 2 months ago. He has sore throat and says he can barely swallow. — A young Syrian man is examined by an MSF doctor. He left his country two months ago and has been in Serbia for three days. He has a sore throat and says he can barely swallow.

A group of 8 African migrant men keep warm around a small campfire in a garden just next to the asylum center in Bogovadja where they were denied access. The group only has 2 sleeping bags for all of them. Three cats sleep with them at nights also looking for warmth. — A group of men from Togo, Gambia, Mali and Ivory Coast keep themselves warm around a small campfire in the garden next to the Bogovadja asylum center where they were denied access. The group has in total two sleeping bags for 10 men for the night.

Togolese man having to stay outside the asylum centre after being refused access says with tears in his eyes: I can't keep going like this without sleeping. It is maximum 5 minutes each time… I am beyond tired… I am too cold to sleep, I don't even have a blanket. I have to stay around the file outside to stay alive. I cannot sleep siting around the fire. We have to get the fire going. Why are we treated like criminals? It's been 4 days that we are freezing outside… And they denie us access. But why? We did all that is required. Went to the police station to ask for Asylum in Belgrade, but they refused to give us the papers and told us to go to Bogovadja, so we went, but here they again refused to give us the papers and denied us access in the centre... They told us to come back the next day as it was late when we arrived and that they would do it the next morning, but then, they didn't do anything the following morning, and then the weekend came and they told us they don't work during the weekend and to come back on Monday. What are we supposed to do during all that time... There is enough room to make everyone sleep inside the centre, we know it as we talk with the ones who managed to get in. Why do they leave us outside all that time in the cold. It is inhumain! I thought Europeans were good people. Now what am I supposed to think of them when they treat us worse than criminals? — A Togolese man and others are denied access to the Bogovadja centre. “It’s been four days we are freezing outside… We did all that is required… but here again they refused to give us the papers,” he said with tears in his eyes.

A group of 8 African migrant men keep warm around a small campfire in a garden just next to the asylum center in Bogovadja where they were denied access. The group only has 2 sleeping bags for all of them. — “I can't keep going like this without sleeping. It is for a maximum of five minutes each time. I am too cold to sleep, I don't even have a blanket. I have to stay around the fire outside to stay alive. I am beyond tired. Why are we treated like criminals?” said a Togolese migrant.

Stuart Alexander Zimble and Kostas Georgakas are leaving food and water in an abandonned house to asylum seekers and migrants who were refused access to the asylum centre in Bogovadja. The house is missing many windows and is not heated. There is no running water, no toilet or bathroom and no electricity. It is snowing outside. — MSF staff are leaving food and water in an abandoned house to asylum seekers and migrants who were refused access to the asylum centre in Bogovadja.

A group of 8 African migrant men keep warm around a small campfire in a garden just next to the asylum center in Bogovadja where they were denied access. Besides their camp, another gazebo has been destroyed over time for the asylum seekers and migrants who were denied access and slept there keep warm with a fire. A group of other asylum seekers arrived overnight and slept on the tiny bed of this denuded gazebo. They left very early in the morning, They had no blankets or anything to keep warm. It was snowing all night. — “Some people were sleeping here last night. They left very early in the morning as they could not sleep. Last night was very cold and it was snowing all night,” said a Malian migrant.

Vasiliki Armeniakou, Medical Coordinator and Kostas Georgakas, Logistician, both Greek MSF staff, in the entrance of an abandonned house where some asylum seekers and migrants seek refuge for the night when they are not allowed inside the asylum centre in Bogovadja. The house is missing many windows and is not heated. There is no running water, no toilet or bathroom and no electricity. It is winter and often below zero degrees temperatures and snowing outside. — MSF staff are checking an abandoned house where some asylum seekers and migrants seek refuge for the night when they are not allowed inside the asylum centre in Bogovadja.

Kostas Georgakas, a Greek MSF Logistician, in one of the rooms of an abandonned house where some asylum seekers seek refuge for the night when they are not allowed inside the asylum centre in Bogovadja. The house is missing many windows and is not heated. There is no running water, no toilet or bathroom and no electricity. It is winter and often below zero degrees temperatures and snowing outside. — The abandoned house has many missing windows and no heating. There is no running water, toilet, bathroom or electricity. Blankets are left by asylum seekers and refugees who stayed here before.

A migrant walks away from an abandonned house where some asylum seekers seek refuge for the night when they are not allowed inside the asylum centre in Bogovadja. The house is missing many windows and is not heated. There is no running water, no toilet or bathroom and no electricity. It is winter and often below zero degrees temperatures and snowing outside. — “It is inhumane! I thought Europeans were good people. Now what am I supposed to think of them when they treat us worse than criminals?” said a Togolese migrant.