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Dr Henrike Zellmann is the supervising psychologist for MSF in Domeez refugee camp in northern Iraq. She is pictured here with some of the Syrian refugees who MSF has been assisting.
Iraq

As soon as the door is closed, we spend time with them, and we listen

An insight into mental healthcare for Syrian refugees in Domeez camp, Iraq Project Update - 8 Oct 2013
 
Alma is a 16 year old girl from Syria who is receiving counselling from MSF in Domeez refugee camp, northern Iraq. Her testimony is below. The war and its aftermath have had far reaching consequences for the mental health of children. As of October 2013 in Domeez, children and adolescents comprise 50 percent of all MSF’s new patients. Every week, between 15 and 20 children and adolescents aged 18 and under are admitted to the program. 

"We’ve been living in the camp for six months, after coming from Damascus to escape the war. There are six people in my family and we all live in one tent. At first we were happy to be here, and to be safe. Compared to Damascus, it is better. There we lived amidst war, at least here it is safe. 

But I am not happy here. After I arrived here, when I got upset or angry, I would faint. Last week, this happened twice. In the last month, it has happened six times. 

I don’t know why it happens. After I faint, and I have gained consciousness, I lie there for an hour or so then I get up. I have shortness in breath after it happens and it takes an hour to feel ok again. 

Most of the time there is no reason.

I don’t sleep very well and I am scared when I sleep. When I wake up, I am still scared. I am afraid of the tents. They remind me of the funeral procession when my cousin was killed in Syria. I remember people crying and I feel that I have dark things in front of my eyes. 

Every second night, I have nightmares. 

I also don’t eat very much. From yesterday until now, I did not eat. 

My biggest wish is to go back to Syria with my family. I want to study, but it’s not possible, either here or in Syria. It is difficult to have hope for the future when we don’t know what will happen."
Syria

An invisible crisis - alarming psychological needs among refugees in Iraq

MSF is seeing an alarming deterioration in the mental health situation of Syrian refugees in Domeez refugee camp in northern Iraq. This deterioration is linked not only to what they have witnessed in Syria, but also the ongoing life of uncertainty, inadequate conditions, and the lack of hope for the future they face living in the camp. Project Update - 8 Oct 2013
 
Alma is a 16 year old girl from Syria who is receiving counselling from MSF in Domeez refugee camp, northern Iraq. Her testimony is below. The war and its aftermath have had far reaching consequences for the mental health of children. As of October 2013 in Domeez, children and adolescents comprise 50 percent of all MSF’s new patients. Every week, between 15 and 20 children and adolescents aged 18 and under are admitted to the program. 

"We’ve been living in the camp for six months, after coming from Damascus to escape the war. There are six people in my family and we all live in one tent. At first we were happy to be here, and to be safe. Compared to Damascus, it is better. There we lived amidst war, at least here it is safe. 

But I am not happy here. After I arrived here, when I got upset or angry, I would faint. Last week, this happened twice. In the last month, it has happened six times. 

I don’t know why it happens. After I faint, and I have gained consciousness, I lie there for an hour or so then I get up. I have shortness in breath after it happens and it takes an hour to feel ok again. 

Most of the time there is no reason.

I don’t sleep very well and I am scared when I sleep. When I wake up, I am still scared. I am afraid of the tents. They remind me of the funeral procession when my cousin was killed in Syria. I remember people crying and I feel that I have dark things in front of my eyes. 

Every second night, I have nightmares. 

I also don’t eat very much. From yesterday until now, I did not eat. 

My biggest wish is to go back to Syria with my family. I want to study, but it’s not possible, either here or in Syria. It is difficult to have hope for the future when we don’t know what will happen."
Syria

It is difficult to have hope for the future when we don’t know what will happen

Testimony of Alma, a 16 year old girl from Syria who is receiving counselling from MSF in Domeez refugee camp, northern Iraq. Voices from the Field - 8 Oct 2013
 
MSF maintains its medical activities all around CAR, those already set up before the March coup d’Etat and those recently established to respond to the acute needs of the population affected by displacement, high levels of malaria and the collapse and absence of the public health system in the country. MSF is operating eight regular projects in CAR, while it has recently started emergency operations in three locations more.  In the pictures, patients attended in Bouca (325 km north of Bangui).
Central African Republic

9,000 children vaccinated against measles, polio in Gadzi

MSF staff have vaccinated 9,000 children against measles and polio in Central African Republic. The campaign is part of on-going medical humanitarian efforts by MSF to offer lifesaving healthcare – including treatment for malnutrition – to people who otherwise have access to little or no basic medical care. Project Update - 7 Oct 2013
 
Al-Shifa hospital, Gaza.
Surgical procedure.
<br/>surgeon Masesh et Maria l'OT Nurse at Nasser hospital <br/>
In collaboration with the Ministry of Health, on October 1st MSF extended its reconstructive plastic surgery programme at Gaza’s Nasser hospital in Khan Younis to Al-Shifa hospital. *** Local Caption *** After assessing the situation and determining medical needs in Gaza, in July 2010 MSF decided in collaboration with the local health authorities to open a reconstructive plastic surgery and post-operative care programme at Nasser hospital. The programme provides treatment to victims of trauma, domestic accidents, burns and other injuries and aims to help patients regain optimum use of their limbs.
Palestine

MSF operating in second hospital in Gaza

MSF has, in collaboration with the local health authorities, opened a second reconstructive plastic surgery and post-operative care programme in Gaza. Project Update - 7 Oct 2013
 
Since July 2013, MSF medical team provided care for over 30.000 people infected with malaria in Massakory hospital.
Chad

Malaria peak, a preventable emergency

A preventative treatment campaign for malaria in Chad is giving tangible hope for the fight against malaria, the number one first killer of children under five in Chad. Project Update - 7 Oct 2013
 
During an MSF mobile clinic in the village of Nyabiondo. 

MSF is providing primary and secondary health care in North Kivu Provinces. On the outskirts of Goma, MSF is working in the camps at Bulengo and Mugunga III and, since the end of May 2013, in Sotraki  Stadium as well. Elsewhere in North Kivu the organization is supporting referral hospitals in Mweso, Pinga, Masisi, Rutshuru, Walikale, and Kitchanga, working in health centers, and operating mobile clinics.
Democratic Republic of Congo

MSF limits medical activities in Mweso

MSF has limited its medical activities in and around Mweso hospital in North Kivu province after a succession of incidents where staff was intimidated, patients threatened, medical vehicles stopped and searched, and hospital grounds violated. Statement - 7 Oct 2013
 
Head of Mission Chris Lockyear at work in Pakistan during the earthquake in 2008.
Pakistan

MSF still without authorisation to enter earthquake-affected Awaran area

Despite daily discussions with the Government of Pakistan, MSF has not yet been granted permission to work in the earthquake affected Awaran area. Project Update - 4 Oct 2013
 
Mogadishu, Somalia
Enfant se promenant entre les carcasses d'engins de guerre.
 
Child walking between abandonned weapons
Somalia

MSF launches website revealing insights to its decisions to speak out on crises

A new website launched by MSF reveals insights into the organisation’s decisions on speaking out in times of crises, including during the civil war and famine in Somalia in the early 1990s. Press Release - 3 Oct 2013
 
Syrian refugees transporting their goods and luggage's using a donkey for passing the borders between Syria and Iraq Kurdistan.
Syria

MSF provides emergency care to families fleeing to Iraq

Some 60,000 refugees from Syria have crossed the border into the Kurdish region of Iraq since it reopened on 15 August after being closed for three months. Project Update - 2 Oct 2013
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.

Learn more