Photo Story - 19 Jun 2015

On the morning of 26 August, the MY Phoenix, jointly operated by MSF and MOAS was asked to standby as the Swedish coast guard ship, Poseidon, rescued an estimated 450 people from a wooden boat. The MOAS crew handed out life jackets and the MSF medics were asked to assist directly on board as there were many critical cases. Dr Simon Bryant and nurse Mary-Jo Frawley went into the hull of the boat, where they were literally lifting people’s heads out of the water to check if they were alive. A critical patient suffering from suspected fuel inhalation was stabilized in the MSF clinic onboard the Phoenix and medevac'ed via helicopter for further treatment on land.
At that point a second wooden boat carrying 550 people appeared and the MOAS search and rescue team immediately commenced rescued operations. More than 415 people were brought on the MY Phoenix, bringing the boat to capacity the remained 125 people were taken on board the Poseidon. Whilst this rescue was still underway, a rubber dinghy with an estimated 100 people on board arrived on the scene. The MOAS crew transferred the men, women and children on board to an Italian naval vessel, which was also on the scene.
“ The deaths of these 52 people today show that search and rescue is just a bandaid. It is merely a temporary solution to Europe’s failures, and not even a truly effective one. Despite the increase in SAR efforts since late April, the death count still keeps mounting. The only way to actually put an end to these avoidable tragedies is to create safe and legal ways for people to migrate or seek asylum in Europe. People's desperation to flee and survive forces them into taking these dangerous boats, into the hands of people who profit from their willingness to risk it all in the search of safety of Europe. Today, just like yesterday, Europe’s policy makers have blood on their hands. It is time for a change, a radical rethink and we need it now” - Will Turner – MSF Emergency Coordinator on the MY Phoenix

Mediterranean migration

A Somali migrant says: "I survived and I would ask the world to help me."

Since the start of 2015, more than 100,000 asylum seekers have fled from countries like Eritrea, Syria, Somalia and Yemen, united in their desire to escape from conflict, instability, persecution and limited access to humanitarian assistance. Voices from the Field - 19 Jun 2015

Greece

Deplorable reception conditions for migrants on Kos

A video showing the deplorable conditions inside Captain Elias hotel where MSF is providing medical and psychosocial care to migrants and refugees staying there. Voices from the Field - 18 Jun 2015

Greece

No welcome for migrants and refugees landing in Greek Dodecanese Islands

Testimonies: "This is the first time in my life that I have seen people so totally abandoned (...) just threw them in there with no information, no help, no provisions, nothing." Voices from the Field - 18 Jun 2015

Syria

Barrage of barrel bombs destroys MSF health facility

Busra hospital, in Dara’a governorate, was destroyed after being hit by ten barrel bombs on Monday night.This aggression came only a few days after another attack on a hospital supported by MSF in Aleppo governorate, in northern Syria. Press Release - 18 Jun 2015

Even today, people are still displaced on a daily basis. Since the crisis began, the organization’s health care providers have seen more than 33,000 patients, performed more than 200 surgeries and 90 Caesarean sections, and delivered an additional 130 babies.

Democratic Republic of Congo

A new project for victims of violence in Boga

MSF launched a new project with local partners in Boga focusing principally on reproductive health, the medical and psychological treatment of victims of violence. Project Update - 17 Jun 2015

Blood samples for a coagulation test following a snake bite at the Paoua hospital, northwestern Central African Republic, supported by MSF.

Medical resource

A Global Biomedical R&D Fund and Mechanism for Innovations of Public Health Importance

PLOS Medicine paper on the need for a preparedness R&D mechanism that can quickly deliver innovative responses to emerging health threats. Journal article - 17 Jun 2015

In Kabul, Afghanistan, women going through labor are helped by midwives at the Ahmed Shah Baba Hospital, which is known for its maternity care. Midwife Iline Ceelen comforts a woman going through labor.

Website

Because Tomorrow Needs Her

Because Tomorrow Needs Her explores challenges through the experiences of MSF field workers: doctors, midwives, nurses and counsellors. womenshealth.msf.org

Yvonne back home after successful fistula repair surgery. “I’m really happy because the sickness I went to be treated for has been healed,” she said.

Women's health

Women's Health: Because Tomorrow Needs Her

A collection of first-hand stories of trying to save women’s lives in developing countries: the challenges, the successes, and what still needs to be done. Campaign - 16 Jun 2015

MSF and Bourbon Argos crew looking at two inflattable boats full of people a few minutes before the rescue on June 1st 2015 in the Mediterranean sea off the Libyan Coast.

Mediterranean migration

MSF saddened by loss of life during Argos ship rescue

“MSF is deeply saddened by this loss of life and our thoughts go out to the victims and their loved ones” says Meinie Nicolai, MSF President, and former nurse supervisor on board the Bourbon Argos. Statement - 15 Jun 2015

Four mothers posing in a corridor of the Hospital in Bili. All four of them are staying in the hospital with their child, that's suffering from a severe case of malaria. Since the beginning of the project in 2016, the pediatric ward already treated more than 4.000 cases of complicated/severe form of malaria.

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.

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Gallery: Responding to the crisis of migration in Kos