More than 500 people fall victim to drug poisoning in the Ariwara region, Ituri

At the beginning of January 2015, MSF was alerted by the Congolese health authorities of a possible meningitis epidemic, but it turned out that the syndrome was caused by counterfeit drugs available on the local market.“Our medical team quickly realised that this was not meningitis. The lumbar puncture procedures that we carried out were all negative and no deaths were registered,” explains Philippe Latour, Head of Mission for MSF in DRC. Project Update - 18 Sep 2015

Colombia

MSF provides medical and mental health care on the border with Venezuela

“We are observing factors associated with having to live in shelters such as stress from the rupture of daily habits and the lack of opportunities and employment,” says Nestor Rubiano, MSF’s mental health advisor who is currently in Cúcuta. Project Update - 17 Sep 2015

Serbia

MSF reinforces activities after Hungary border closure

“Closing borders is not a solution, it just pushes responsibility to a neighbouring country and forces people to take more risks and makes their journey even harder, with a clear impact on their health” says Ana de Lemos, MSF project coordinator. “As long as conflicts continue in countries of origin, people will continue to be forced to become refugees, and they will continue to have to find ways out no matter the obstacles.” Project Update - 17 Sep 2015

Greece

MSF team providing psychological support and medical care to survivors of shipwreck off Farmakonisi island

On Sunday 13 September, a wooden boat carrying more than 130 refugees and migrants sank off the Greek island of Farmakonisi. An MSF team from Kos was sent to Leros immediately to provide mental health support and medical care to survivors. "People are shocked and terrified by the experience. There are people who lost their relatives, others who lost their children”, says Vangelis Orfanoudakis, MSF coordinator. Project Update - 15 Sep 2015

Central African Republic

MSF provides medical assistance for displaced people in Carnot

MSF is assisting the Ministry of Health with its Expanded Vaccination Programme in Carnot. MSF’s Dr Aubin Vergnes says it is crucial to act fast when there’s a risk of an epidemic. “In overcrowded conditions like these, just one case of measles can spread like wildfire to all the children in the camp, so the health authorities and MSF prepared the vaccination campaign in under three days.” Project Update - 14 Sep 2015

Greece

Closure of Captain Elias camp in Kos leaves refugees even more vulnerable

“It is unacceptable that this closure was not accompanied by any decision from the authorities to provide other facilities for refugees arriving in Kos” said Elisa Galli, MSF Field Coordinator in Kos. “Captain Elias was far from ideal, but now people have absolutely nowhere to go. There is no clarity on what will happen next, and authorities are not assuming their responsibilities about the well-being of these vulnerable people. As we have said repeatedly, the authorities need to ensure that adequate reception facilities are provided.” Project Update - 11 Sep 2015

Mediterranean migration

1,658 people rescued in busiest day ever for MSF search and rescue operations

“Yesterday was a day of big numbers for MSF’s search and rescue operations, but for our teams at sea the focus is always on the individuals,” said Lindis Hurum, MSF Emergency Coordinator on the Bourbon Argos. Project Update - 3 Sep 2015

South Sudan

MSF completes cholera vaccination campaign in Juba

MSF has completed a targeted cholera vaccination campaign in Juba, in coordination with the South Sudanese Ministry of Health, reaching over 160,000 people. “The campaign aims to reduce transmission of cholera within the most-affected areas of Juba,” says MSF Medical Advisor Barbara Rusch. “At the same time, the goal of the targeting strategy is to help bring an end to the present outbreak of cholera in Juba as quickly as possible.” Project Update - 3 Sep 2015

Central African Republic

After 18 months in locked compound, displaced families decide it is safe to go home

MSF welcomed the return to their homes of 400 displaced people who found refuge in Berberati bishop's ground. "After a year and a half living in precarious conditions and cut off from the outside world, these families can finally return home," said Geraldine Duc, MSF’s medical coordinator. "Although they will have to overcome fear and rebuild what has been destroyed, their lives are slowly returning to their course." Project Update - 3 Sep 2015

More about sexual & gender-based violence

MSF's work with victims of sexual and gender based violence. Project Update - 2 Sep 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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