Testimonies from fishermen receiving training in saving lives at sea

In order to increase the fishermen’s capacity to carry out rescues at sea, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) has carried out a six-day training with 116 local fishermen in the town of Zarzis. Voices from the Field - 31 Aug 2015

Refugees, IDPs and people on the move

Refugees in Kos stuck in appalling conditions

Between January and July this year, 18,600 refugees arrived on the Greek island Kos by boat from Turkey. The majority are fleeing war and violence in Syria, but many also come from Afghanistan, Iraq, Iran and Pakistan. Project Update - 26 Aug 2015

Intensive Care training, Al Shifa hospital, Gaza.

Palestine

Delivering training to healthcare workers stuck in Gaza

“The nurses were really enthusiastic, they were very grateful to have the opportunity to develop their intensive care skills," says Rochelle DeLacey, an MSF intensive care nurse working in Gaza." Their only other option really was to Google ‘intensive care’ because they don’t have any other access to training.” Voices from the Field - 26 Aug 2015

Syria

MSF treats patients with symptoms of exposure to chemical agents

"The patients’ clinical symptoms, the way these symptoms changed over time, and the patients’ testimony about the circumstances of the poisoning all point to exposure to a chemical agent,” Pablo Marco, MSF’s programme manager in Syria. Press Release - 25 Aug 2015

Yemen

At least 65 civilians killed in coalition airstrikes and heavy fighting in Taiz

“At least 65 civilians in the province of Taiz, Yemen have been killed in Saudi led air strikes today, including 17 people from one family,” says Salah Dongu’du, MSF's Project Coordinator, about the current situation in Taiz, Yemen. “The deaths occurred when the strikes hit civilian homes in the area. Those who survived the bombings are searching through the rubble with their bare hands in the hope of finding survivors, as well as the bodies of victims of the attack. Many others are believed to have been injured or killed in the past week in air strikes, shelling and fighting in densely populated areas." Statement - 21 Aug 2015

Lebanon

Heat wave adds to the woes of Syrian refugees in Bekaa Valley

In Lebanon’s Bekaa Valley, temperatures have reached as high as 42 degrees. The heat isn’t just bringing discomfort; it’s bringing sickness. “We provide medicine and our health promotion teams explain how to reduce the spread of infection, but we can’t change the underlying cause of these problems, which are poor hygiene and precarious living conditions,” says Dr. Wael Harb, head of MSF's medical activities in the Bekaa. Project Update - 20 Aug 2015

Mediterranean migration

Proactive search and rescue operations essential life-saver

“Increasingly, we see that we are required to carry out multiple rescues from multiple boats within a matter of hours”, said Lindis Hurum, MSF Emergency Coordinator on board of the Bourbon Argos. “Our teams have also encountered boats with people who had already died from dehydration or asphyxiation during the journey. To me this suggests that despite the EU response supposedly being ‘bigger and better’ than last year, there are not enough boats available and in the right spot to adequately respond to the needs of those crossing the Mediterranean.” Project Update - 20 Aug 2015

Project Update

A month in focus: August 2015

Ebola: a hope-bringing vaccine; Lebanon: Lives ruined by the conflict; Tanzania: Cholera, a new threat to Burundian refugees; Malawi: In the over-populated prisons; Antivenom serums: In worrying shortage; Yemen: "You come and do the work!".

Project Update - 17 Aug 2015

Syria

Airstrikes on nine hospitals in Idlib province, 11 civilians killed and 31 wounded

“These recent attacks are a clear violation of International Humanitarian Law, which prohibits military attacks on hospitals," says Sylvain Groulx, MSF's Head of Mission for Syria. "Airstrikes are capable of targeting specific buildings and these hospitals are known locations. They must be respected as neutral spaces where civilians can safely access their right to healthcare services. Civilians continue to suffer the daily brunt of this war with a massive number of deaths and injuries.” Statement - 14 Aug 2015

Yemen

“Desperation and fear for the future”

Dr Tammam Aloudat, Deputy Medical Director at MSF says that food shortages are a major concern in Yemen: "International aid organisations are not providing any food aid to the people living in schools, and they cannot afford it by themselves. Yemeni children, who have already suffered from decades of malnutrition, will suffer more if the world does not provide food and medicine to them. Yet efforts in this regard are being hindered by the blockade, fighting and constant bombings." Voices from the Field - 13 Aug 2015

Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF)

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We provide medical assistance to people affected by conflict, epidemics, disasters, or exclusion from healthcare. Our teams are made up of tens of thousands of health professionals, logistic and administrative staff - most of them hired locally. Our actions are guided by medical ethics and the principles of independence and impartiality. We are a non-profit, self-governed, member-based organisation.

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