MSF ambulance hit by stray bullet

“The bullet entered through the back window,” said Dr. Vipul Chowdhary, MSF’s representative in Yemen. “Luckily, no patients were inside the vehicle at the time and the driver and nurse who were inside were not harmed. MSF reminds all parties of the absolute need to respect humanitarian medical work and staff in Sana’a and the rest of the country.” Project Update - 12 May 2011

HIV/AIDS

Fragile progress as several countries upgrade to better AIDS treatment

A report released today by the international medical humanitarian organisation Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) revealed that several countries hardest hit by the AIDS epidemic are improving HIV treatment to reduce deaths and illness – but a lack of support from donors prevents many from making vital changes. Press Release - 11 May 2011

Natural hazards

MSF continues psychological care for earthquake and tsunami survivors

“Most people lost everything in the disaster, including family, colleagues and friends, and the future is difficult to imagine,” said Ha Young Lee – a Korean psychologist that has worked with MSF in the aftermath of the Asian tsunami in Banda Aceh in 2005, as well as with North Korean refugees in Seoul. Project Update - 11 May 2011

Italy

Seeking Refuge, Finding Suffering

The MSF briefing paper ”Seeking Refuge, Finding Suffering” documents the unacceptable conditions that are currently facing migrants, asylum-seekers and refugees in Italy. Report - 3 May 2011

Italy

Italy must drastically improve conditions facing refugees, asylum seekers and migrants fleeing North Africa, including Libya

When 12 boats carrying 2,665 refugees, asylum seekers and migrants landed on Italian shores, a further 715 people were rescued from another off-shore boat. Once again, MSF calls on Italian authorities to drastically improve reception conditions for new arrivals, particularly for the most vulnerable - women, children, unaccompanied minors and victims of violence. Press Release - 3 May 2011

Côte d'Ivoire

Medical and humanitarian emergency continues as violence persists in Ivory Coast

“We don’t know how many people are still hiding in fear in the Ivorian bush, or what levels of violence they may be currently exposed to, but the horrific stories we have heard from people are cause for alarm,” said Xavier Simon, MSF Head of Mission in Ivory Coast. Photo Story - 22 Apr 2011

Meningitis

Meningitis vaccine for 607,000 people in rural Chad

Thanks to the vaccine, the people of Laokassi, Moundou, Melfi, Kelo, Benoye and Kroumla should be protected against the disease for the next three years. Nonetheless, for the inhabitants of a country where meningitis is endemic, such as Chad, the new vaccine, which offers five years’ protection, cannot come soon enough. Project Update - 22 Apr 2011

Malaria

Revolutionary advance in severe malaria treatment: Using artesunate instead of quinine could save 200,000 lives annually

In its new report Making the Switch, MSF calls on African governments to follow new World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines, and switch from the far less effective quinine to artesunate, which could avert nearly 200,000 deaths each year. MSF also calls on WHO and donors to support governments so this urgent treatment change can happen quickly. Press Release - 19 Apr 2011

Malaria

Making the Switch: Ensuring access to improved treatment for severe malaria in Africa

This report, based on a review of the latest scientific evidence, coupled with information from MSF’s malaria programmes across Africa, highlights some of the important challenges in making this life-saving switch to artesunate for the treatment of severe malaria especially in children, and provides some recommendations for the way forward. Report - 19 Apr 2011

Libya

MSF carries out second boat evacuation from Misrata, Libya, with 64 war-wounded onboard

“With the latest heavy bombardments in Mistrata, the situation is worsening as hospitals have to discharge patients before their treatment is completed in order to treat the new wounded from fighting. Many injured cannot even access medical facilities without further risking their life,” said Dr. Morten Rostrup, an MSF doctor who was on the boat. Press Release - 16 Apr 2011

Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF)

Independent medical humanitarian assistance

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.

Learn more

About Us

What we do

Where we work

MSF Websites