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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 projects are dedicated to providing assistance to people living in areas of war and 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.

The consequences of war can be vast and catastrophic; from death and violence; to long-term lifechanging injuries and post-traumatic stress disorder; destroyed infrastructure and healthcare systems; as well as people being uprooted and forced to leave everything behind.

In conflict settings, depending on the priorities, we may set up operating theatres, clinics, nutrition programmes, epidemic control, medical care for victims of sexual violence, and maternity wards, among other services.

The consequences of war

 
North Kivu: over one million displaced people face appalling conditions
Democratic Republic of Congo

Urgent response needed for humanitarian disaster in North Kivu

Project Update 26 Apr 2023
 
MSF bunker in Khartum
Sudan

Stuck in a Khartoum bunker while there’s shooting outside

Voices from the Field 21 Apr 2023
 
Scenes from within South Hospital, El Fasher, North Darfur, where multiple people have been wounded in the fighting
Sudan

Hospital patients and staff facing difficult conditions amid Sudan conflict

Voices from the Field 21 Apr 2023
 
Agok hospital
Sudan

MSF urges for safety of medical teams as fighting escalates in Sudan

Press Release 17 Apr 2023
 
North Kivu: displaced communities are losing hope as M23 crisis drags on
Democratic Republic of Congo

Unfolding humanitarian disaster in North Kivu

Project Update 4 Apr 2023
 
Masafer Yatta
Palestine

Israel’s coercive measures undermine people’s health in Masafer Yatta

Press Release 3 Apr 2023
 
Masafer Yatta
Palestine

The health impact of Israeli measures to forcibly evict residents of Masafer yatta

Report 3 Apr 2023
 
MSF-supported Al-Jamhouri Hospital | Antenatal Consultation
Yemen

Eight years of war create perfect storm for humanitarian crisis 

Voices from the Field 31 Mar 2023
 
Ukraine Re-Taken Areas
War in Ukraine

Occupation and destruction of medical structures severely impede access to healthcare

Press Release 23 Mar 2023

We don’t take sides

In conflict zones, we do not take sides. It’s crucial for us to talk with all parties in a conflict to obtain access and provide assistance to affected communities. We will speak out about the suffering we observe, as well as any gross violations we may witness while providing assistance to people caught up in war and conflict. 

One of the ways we can maintain our independence is to ensure that all our funding for work in conflicts comes from private donors. Globally we accept very few government grants – three per cent of our total funding – and in war zones we do not use funds from governments that have any sort of tie with the conflict. 

Despite not supporting any of the warring parties, we are not always present on all sides of a conflict. This may be either because access is not granted to us by one or more of the parties, or due to insecurity, or because the main needs of people are already covered.

Our teams do not always have the capacity to fill every gap, however, we always put people in need first and provide them with the best medical care possible, no matter where they are from, what they believe in, or who they support.

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1 June 2018