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War and conflict

War in Gaza:: find out how we're responding
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More than one third of our humanitarian and medical assistance is for people affected by armed conflict.

Armed conflict devastates lives. Targeted, harassed and trapped within hardship and poverty, people are often forced into flight. In other cases, people live under siege or in constant fear of  indiscriminate or even targeted attacks. In addition, people are often left impoverished without sufficient access to basic needs like food and medical care.
 
Comprehensive medical and humanitarian support is vital, but health services are often scarce. In conflict zones, we do not take sides.

We provide care based on needs alone, and work to reach those who require medical attention, regardless of which side of the frontline they happen to be.

Conflict and Health - ENG - 16:9
video

Conflict and Health

Conflict and health

How does conflict damage national health?

Armed conflict causes injury, displacement and death. Even after the guns have fallen silent, conflict continues to affect people’s health.

It devastates essential health services, disrupts medical supplies, forces medical staff to flee and leaves health systems broken, so when deadly diseases arrive they’re even harder to fight.

For people caught up in violence or its aftermath, it is more important than ever to have access to healthcare, shelter, sanitation and food.

Ibtisam Hashim, midwife, Nablus hospital, West Mosul
You can still see a lot of anger and pain in people’s eyes wherever you go. Abdulrahman Dhannoon Khaleel, MSF project coordinator support
Iraq

Mosul: A city recovering from war

 
Palestine

Hospitals in Gaza overburdened by influx of wounded

Project Update 30 Dec 2008
 
Palestine

First wounded patients receive treatment

Project Update 30 Dec 2008
 
Somalia

MSF calls on combatants to respect medical facilities in Guri El

Statement 27 Dec 2008
 
Nigeria

Fear and mistrust hinders care after post-election riots in Jos, Nigeria

Project Update 5 Dec 2008
 
Democratic Republic of Congo

Critical - Voices from the war in eastern Democratic Republic Congo

Press Release 20 Nov 2008
 
Democratic Republic of Congo

Caught in heavy gunfire

Voices from the Field 17 Nov 2008
 
Democratic Republic of Congo

MSF team travels to Dungu, DRC, three days after attacks on the town

Project Update 10 Nov 2008
 
Pakistan

Growing violence makes access to health care extremely difficult in northwestern Pakistan

Project Update 7 Nov 2008
 
Democratic Republic of Congo

Armed aid convoys are an inadequate bandage for DR Congo's deep wounds

Press Release 6 Nov 2008
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1 June 2018