In more than 70 countries, Médecins Sans Frontières provides medical humanitarian assistance to save lives and ease the suffering of people in crisis situations.
We set up the MSF Access Campaign in 1999 to push for access to, and the development of, life-saving and life-prolonging medicines, diagnostic tests and vaccines for people in our programmes and beyond.
Based in Paris, CRASH conducts and directs studies and analysis of MSF actions. They participate in internal training sessions and assessment missions in the field.
Based in Geneva, UREPH (or Research Unit) aims to improve the way MSF projects are implemented in the field and to participate in critical thinking on humanitarian and medical action.
Based in Brussels, MSF Analysis intends to stimulate reflection and debate on humanitarian topics organised around the themes of migration, refugees, aid access, health policy and the environment in which aid operates.
This logistical and supply centre in Brussels provides storage of and delivers medical equipment, logistics and drugs for international purchases for MSF missions.
This supply and logistics centre in Bordeaux, France, provides warehousing and delivery of medical equipment, logistics and drugs for international purchases for MSF missions.
This logistical centre in Amsterdam purchases, tests, and stores equipment including vehicles, communications material, power supplies, water-processing facilities and nutritional supplements.
SAMU provides strategic, clinical and implementation support to various MSF projects with medical activities related to HIV and TB. This medical unit is based in Cape Town, South Africa.
BRAMU specialises in neglected tropical diseases, such as dengue and Chagas, and other infectious diseases. This medical unit is based in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Our medical guidelines are based on scientific data collected from MSF’s experiences, the World Health Organization (WHO), other renowned international medical institutions, and medical and scientific journals.
Providing epidemiological expertise to underpin our operations, conducting research and training to support our goal of providing medical aid in areas where people are affected by conflict, epidemics, disasters, or excluded from health care.
Evaluation Units have been established in Vienna, Stockholm, and Paris, assessing the potential and limitations of medical humanitarian action, thereby enhancing the effectiveness of our medical humanitarian work.
MSF works with LGBTQI+ populations in many settings over the last 25-30 years. LGBTQI+ people face healthcare disparities with limited access to care and higher disease rates than the general population.
The Luxembourg Operational Research (LuxOR) unit coordinates field research projects and operational research training, and provides support for documentation activities and routine data collection.
The MSF Paediatric Days is an event for paediatric field staff, policy makers and academia to exchange ideas, align efforts, inspire and share frontline research to advance urgent paediatric issues of direct concern for the humanitarian field.
The MSF Foundation aims to create a fertile arena for logistics and medical knowledge-sharing to meet the needs of MSF and the humanitarian sector as a whole.
A collaborative, patients’ needs-driven, non-profit drug research and development organisation that is developing new treatments for neglected diseases, founded in 2003 by seven organisations from around the world.
Every year, thousands of people fleeing war, persecution and poverty at home attempt the treacherous journey across the Mediterranean. Countless lives are lost on the way.
Closing safe and legal options for people to reach Europe pushes them further into people smugglers' networks. In Libya, the detention of migrants and refugees is a thriving enterprise of kidnapping and extortion.
MSF is saving the lives of people trying to cross the central Mediterranean Sea with our own search and rescue vessel, Geo Barents. We also provide assistance to people held in Libyan detention centres and those arriving in Europe.
Webclip - 3 Things to Know: Impact of Migration Policies
3 things to know - the impact of migration policies
The EU's migration policies are having a direct impact across the Mediterranean Sea, while people are trying to flee dangerous conditions in Libya. Here are three ways that the EU's policies on migration impact on the lives of people trying to seek safety.
Mediterranean migration
MSF urges immediate disembarkation of 629 people on board Aquarius at nearest port of safety
Press Release12 Jun 2018
Mediterranean migration
A healthy baby boy called Miracle born on the Aquarius
Voices from the Field27 May 2018
Libya
The dangers refugees face fleeing
Interview14 May 2018
Libya
Time running out for 800 migrants and refugees in Zuwara detention centre
Statement4 May 2018
Greece
Overcrowded, dangerous and insufficient access to healthcare in Moria
Statement4 May 2018
Photo Story
"Stolen hope" – Asylum seekers still stranded in Greece
22 Mar 2018
Photo Story
Mediterranean migration
European governments are obstructing lifesaving rescues and returning people to unsafe Libya
Statement21 Mar 2018
Türkiye
Two years on, deal continues to fail thousands of people seeking asylum
Statement16 Mar 2018
Greece
MSF activity update – March 2018
Project Update16 Mar 2018
Research and analysis
Mediterranean migration
Left to Drown in the Southern European Border: One year of Geo Barents at sea
Report5 Jul 2022
Mediterranean migration
Constructing Crisis at Europe’s Border
Report9 Jun 2021
Mediterranean migration
The Aquarius Aquarium
msf-crash.org13 Sep 2018
Refugees, IDPs and people on the move
One year after the EU-Turkey deal: migrants and asylum seekers are paying the price with their health
Report14 Mar 2017
Mediterranean migration
European policies dramatically worsened the so-called 2015 “refugee crisis”
Report19 Jan 2016
Related topics
Middle East & North Africa
Libya
Libya remains fragmented by conflict and fighting continues in several parts of the country. The breakdown of law and order, the economic collapse and the existence of three governments has had a severe impact on the healthcare system.
51,900
outpatient consultations
6,210
individual mental health consultations
130
people started on treatment for TB
Europe & Central Asia
Italy
In Italy, we address the needs of migrants and people on the move.
4,850
outpatient consultations
1,060
individual mental health consultations
78
victims of torture treated
Europe & Central Asia
France
In Paris, northern France, and at the borders with Italy and Spain, migrants and refugees encounter policies and practices aimed at preventing them from settling or claiming their rights.
7,140
outpatient consultations
1,340
individual mental health consultations
Crisis Settings
War and conflict
More than one third of our humanitarian and medical assistance is for people affected by armed conflict.
Crisis Settings
Refugees, IDPs and people on the move
There are many reasons for flight, including war, persecution, conflict, natural disaster, destitution and repression. With health and well-being jeopardised, the lives of the most vulnerable can be at risk.
Medical activities
Mental health
Where we work, we may see people with a mental illness or confronting distressing situations, such as violence, loss or displacement. Mental health support can be crucial to help people cope.
Up Next
In 2023, 3,041 people died trying to cross the Mediterranean Sea.
