Flood victims vulnerable to dengue fever

“This is peak dengue season and we need to remain vigilant after the floods to prevent further spread,” says Liesbeth Aelbrecht, MSF Myanmar Country Director. “We will focus on helping treat the disease as well as training Ministry of Health staff and volunteers on how to fumigate potential breeding sites and to spread messages to communities about dengue prevention.” Project Update - 17 Aug 2015

Project Update

A month in focus: August 2015

Ebola: a hope-bringing vaccine; Lebanon: Lives ruined by the conflict; Tanzania: Cholera, a new threat to Burundian refugees; Malawi: In the over-populated prisons; Antivenom serums: In worrying shortage; Yemen: "You come and do the work!".

Project Update - 17 Aug 2015

Syria

Airstrikes on nine hospitals in Idlib province, 11 civilians killed and 31 wounded

“These recent attacks are a clear violation of International Humanitarian Law, which prohibits military attacks on hospitals," says Sylvain Groulx, MSF's Head of Mission for Syria. "Airstrikes are capable of targeting specific buildings and these hospitals are known locations. They must be respected as neutral spaces where civilians can safely access their right to healthcare services. Civilians continue to suffer the daily brunt of this war with a massive number of deaths and injuries.” Statement - 14 Aug 2015

South Sudan

Severe malaria season - Testimonies from malaria patients & family

“The state Ministry of Health has created a malaria task force to improve coordination,” says Adbi Fatah Mohammed, MSF’s outreach manager. “But capacity is a serious problem and there is a risk of running out of drugs later in the season.” Large spikes in malaria across South Sudan are raising the possibility of a second consecutive season marked by exceptionally high numbers of malaria cases and preventable deaths unless urgent action is taken to reinforce access to treatment in the most high-risk areas. Voices from the Field - 14 Aug 2015

South Sudan

On pace for a second, exceptionally severe malaria season

MSF stresses the need to be prepared for the possibility of another severe malaria season in South Sudan. While the medical needs in conflict-affected areas of the country are beyond critical, basic primary healthcare cannot be neglected anywhere in the country. Otherwise, a second devastating malaria season could result in an untold number of preventable deaths. Project Update - 14 Aug 2015

Haemorrhagic fevers

Attention, World: The Ebola fight isn’t over

"Ebola may have faded from the headlines, but it hasn’t gone away," says Dr Joanne Liu, International President of MSF. "We don’t know how far away the finish line is, but we do know that to reach it, everyone involved in the response – both national and international – needs to channel all their energies into keeping up the momentum. And by accelerating use of the new vaccine in the affected countries, we can help break chains of transmission and protect frontline workers. " Opinion - 13 Aug 2015

Yemen

“Desperation and fear for the future”

Dr Tammam Aloudat, Deputy Medical Director at MSF says that food shortages are a major concern in Yemen: "International aid organisations are not providing any food aid to the people living in schools, and they cannot afford it by themselves. Yemeni children, who have already suffered from decades of malnutrition, will suffer more if the world does not provide food and medicine to them. Yet efforts in this regard are being hindered by the blockade, fighting and constant bombings." Voices from the Field - 13 Aug 2015

International Migrants Day

“I was inside the ship when it started sinking.”

Testimonies from people rescued by MSF’s search and rescue vessel Dignity I after a boat capsized on 5 August 2015 in the Mediterranean waters north of Libya. Voices from the Field - 12 Aug 2015

Greece

Greek authorities’ inaction turns into abuse of refugees in Kos

“MSF is very worried about how the situation is evolving in Kos.” says Brice de le Vingne, MSF Director of Operations. “What was previously a situation of state inaction is now one of state abuse, with police using increasing heavy handed force against these vulnerable people. The great majority of people arriving here are refugees fleeing war in Syria and Afghanistan. The Kos authorities have clearly stated that they have no intention of improving the situation for these people as they believe that this would constitute a ‘pull factor’. But the truth is that people fleeing war will keep on coming whether or not the authorities are trying to stop them from doing so.” Project Update - 12 Aug 2015

Mediterranean migration

Rescue in the Mediterranean sea

On Thursday 6 August 2015, the MSF Search & Rescue boat Bourbon Argos engaged in a complicated and tense rescue operation of a vessel in visible distress crammed with 613 passengers. Photo Story - 10 Aug 2015

Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF)

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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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