In more than 70 countries, Médecins Sans Frontières provides medical humanitarian assistance to save lives and ease the suffering of people in crisis situations.
We set up the MSF Access Campaign in 1999 to push for access to, and the development of, life-saving and life-prolonging medicines, diagnostic tests and vaccines for people in our programmes and beyond.
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.
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.
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.
Read through case studies where we openly examine and analyse all our actions and decision-making processes during humanitarian emergencies that have led us to speak out.
This logistical and supply centre in Brussels provides storage of and delivers medical equipment, logistics and drugs for international purchases for MSF missions.
This supply and logistics centre in Bordeaux, France, provides warehousing and delivery of medical equipment, logistics and drugs for international purchases for MSF missions.
This logistical centre in Amsterdam purchases, tests, and stores equipment including vehicles, communications material, power supplies, water-processing facilities and nutritional supplements.
SAMU provides strategic, clinical and implementation support to various MSF projects with medical activities related to HIV and TB. This medical unit is based in Cape Town, South Africa.
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.
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.
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.
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.
The Luxembourg Operational Research (LuxOR) unit coordinates field research projects and operational research training, and provides support for documentation activities and routine data collection.
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.
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.
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.
Every year, thousands of people fleeing war, persecution and poverty at home attempt the treacherous journey across the Mediterranean. Countless lives are lost on the way.
Closing safe and legal options for people to reach Europe pushes them further into people smugglers' networks. In Libya, the detention of migrants and refugees is a thriving enterprise of kidnapping and extortion.
MSF has worked in Search and Rescue in the Central Mediterranean. We also provide assistance to people in Libyan detention centres and those arriving in Europe.
Since the start of its search and rescue mission in February 2016, the Aquarius has assisted nearly 30,000 people in international waters between Libya, Italy and Malta.
The Aquarius’ last active period of search and rescue ended on 4 October 2018, when it arrived in the port of Marseille following the rescue of 58 people.
MSF and SOS teams remained on board the vessels until 20 December 2018, when the Aquarius was returned to the ship owner.
Mediterranean migration
European policies continue to claim lives on the Mediterranean Sea
Press Release12 Jun 2019
Libya
More than medicine: A look at mental health needs in detention
Voices from the Field9 May 2019
Libya
Trapped refugees must be released and granted safety from Tripoli fighting
Project Update11 Apr 2019
Libya
Migrants in Libya: “We were able to make their time in that horrible place slightly better.”
Voices from the Field2 Apr 2019
Refugees, IDPs and people on the move
EU-Turkey deal continues cycle of containment and despair
Press Release18 Mar 2019
Libya
MSF calls out French President Macron over hypocritical migration policies
Open Letter15 Mar 2019
Refugees, IDPs and people on the move
Nine countries and 7,000km; Asad’s journey from Somalia to Europe
Voices from the Field6 Feb 2019
France
Migrants trapped in relentless cycle of rejection on French-Spanish border
Project Update6 Feb 2019
Libya
Refugees returned to overcrowded Libyan detention centres
Project Update23 Jan 2019
Research and analysis
Mediterranean migration
The Aquarius Aquarium
msf-crash.org13 Sep 2018
Mediterranean migration
European governments are obstructing lifesaving rescues and returning people to unsafe Libya
Statement21 Mar 2018
Mediterranean migration
Medical care for refugees and migrants along Central Mediterranean route
Voices from the Field29 Jan 2018
Mediterranean migration
99 survivors rescued from sinking dinghy but many presumed drowned
Press Release28 Jan 2018
Libya
MSF continues to provide medical care to migrants and refugees detained in Tripoli
Project Update19 May 2017
Refugees, IDPs and people on the move
One year after the EU-Turkey deal: migrants and asylum seekers are paying the price with their health
Report14 Mar 2017
Mediterranean migration
10 things you need to know about the Mediterranean crisis
Project Update2 Dec 2016
Mediterranean migration
MSF assists in rescue of 3,000 people in a single day
Press Release30 Aug 2016
Mediterranean migration
22 people die at sea, 209 more are rescued
Statement19 Jul 2016
Tunisia
Fishermen receive training in saving lives at sea
Project Update1 Sep 2015
Related topics
Middle East & North Africa
Libya
Libya remains fragmented by conflict and fighting continues in several parts of the country. The breakdown of law and order, the economic collapse and the existence of three governments has had a severe impact on the healthcare system.
46,900
outpatient consultations
1,160
antenatal consultations
180
people started on treatment for TB
Europe & Central Asia
Italy
Italy continues to be the main landing point for migrants and refugees coming to Europe via the Mediterranean Sea. The Italian authorities have not developed an adequate reception system to respond to their specific humanitarian needs.
2,760
individual mental health consultations
54
group mental health sessions
1,490
outpatient consultations
Europe & Central Asia
France
In Paris, northern France and at the borders with Italy and Spain, migrants and refugees encounter policies and practices aimed at preventing them from settling or claiming their rights.
10
NO. STAFF IN 2017
1987
YEAR MSF FIRST WORKED IN THE COUNTRY
Crisis Settings
War and conflict
Around one-third of our humanitarian and medical assistance is for populations caught in armed conflict.
Crisis Settings
Refugees, IDPs and people on the move
There are many reasons for flight, including war, persecution, conflict, natural disaster, destitution and repression. With health and well-being jeopardised, the lives of the most vulnerable can be at risk.
Medical Activities
Mental health
Where we work, we may see people with a mental illness or confronting distressing situations, such as violence, loss or displacement. Mental health support can be crucial to help people cope.
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In 6 months to July 2018, 1 out of every 18 people who tried to cross the Central Mediterranean drowned or went missing
