Distressing news accompanies Arjan Erkel's second birthday in captivity

Arjan turns 34 today. A humanitarian aid worker, he was taken in Dagestan in 2002 and is now the longest held kidnap victim in that region. Project Update - 9 Mar 2004

Armenia

MSF launches day center for mental health In Tchambarak

The 'Day Centers' aim to be a place for learning and mutual understanding to bridge the gap between MSF beneficiaries and society. Press Release - 20 Feb 2004

Tuberculosis

Questioning health and human rights

In order to curb the spread of MDR-TB, many medical NGOs - including my own, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) - have become committed to WHO's program, which instructs that no patient should be treated unless you can expect an 80 percent rate of compliance from the population to which he or she belongs. Project Update - 2 Feb 2004

Italy

MSF expands activities in 'Hotel Africa', Rome

"Since I arrived in Italy I've lived in this place and I feel to have less dignity than when I was in my Sudanese village with a lack of everything. I don't see any positive prospect for my future," said a refugee from Sudan. Project Update - 28 Nov 2003

Afghanistan

Dr Jonathan Tomlinson's First Mission with MSF, in Western Afghanistan

Dr Jonathan Tomlinson is on his first mission with MSF, in western Afghanistan. Project Update - 27 Nov 2003

Afghanistan

MSF team in Zhare Dasht, Afghanistan, resumes activities after security threat

Four armed men threatened to execute six people who were working with a de-mining agency. The de-miners managed to escape unharmed except for one, who was shot in the leg. Project Update - 5 Nov 2003

Russia

Arjan Erkel, more than 14 months in captivity

EU President Berlusconi is called upon to press President Putin to secure the release of Arjan Erkel, MSF aid worker in captivity in the Caucasus since August 2002. Press Release - 5 Nov 2003

Uzbekistan

Pilot project to prove that disease can be treated in poor countries.

Pilot project to prove that disease can be treated in poor countries. Press Release - 29 Oct 2003

Russia

Arjan Erkel: EU presidency to intervene with Russian Government

In November, the EU's Italian Presidency will call on the Russian Federation for the release of Arjan Erkel during the EU-Russia summit hold in Roma. Project Update - 28 Oct 2003

Italy

Refugee deaths at Lampedusa highlight grave political failures

Of 24 refugess, 13 did not survive the crossing. The remaining 11 passengers were transported first to the Lampedusa Temporary Detention Centre (TDC) where MSF offers medical care, but due to their wretched state, the majority had to be subsequently transferred to the intensive care unit of Palermo hospital. Press Release - 23 Oct 2003

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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