As HIV burden overwhelmingly shifts to ‘middle-income’ countries, access to affordable medicines is under threat

“If these policies are allowed to continue, middle-income countries face nothing short of a calamity that poses a major threat to the global HIV response and other health initiatives” says Leena Menghaney, head of MSF’s Access Campaign in South Asia. MSF warns that middle-income countries (MICs), which will be home to 70% of people living with HIV by 2020, face increasing threats to their ability to access affordable generic medicines. Press Release - 22 Jul 2015

HIV/AIDS

MSF warns successful global HIV response will require bigger emphasis on adherence

Not enough is being done to ensure people on antiretroviral treatment (ART) reach and maintain ‘undetectable’ levels of virus in their blood. “Our experience to date on one hand is positive, with people who adhere to treatment living longer and healthier lives, but on the other hand, we see major gaps in the continuum of care that painfully illustrate the shortcomings of the HIV response,” said Dr. Helen Bygrave, HIV Medical Advisor for MSF’s South Africa Medical Unit. Press Release - 21 Jul 2015

HIV/AIDS

MSF applauds data showing immediate treatment for all people with HIV saves lives and reduces transmission

“Now’s not the time to slow down the global HIV response in any way, but instead to hit the accelerator to save lives and stop this virus,” said Sharonann Lynch, HIV/TB Policy Advisor for MSF’s Access Campaign. “Any attempt to withdraw HIV support from countries at this point is beyond cynical.” Press Release - 20 Jul 2015

Greece

Testimonies from migrants and asylum seekers in Lesbos

Thousands of migrants and asylum seekers are currently stranded in precarious conditions across several Greek islands, despite repeated calls since December 2014 by Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) to Greek authorities and the EU to address the lack of reception capacity. Voices from the Field - 20 Jul 2015

Greece

Thousands of migrants and asylum seekers stranded in precarious conditions across islands

Thousands of migrants and asylum seekers are currently stranded in precarious conditions across islands such as Kos and Lesbos. The current situation is a violation of Greece's and the EU's obligations towards asylum seekers and migrants in Greece, and requires an urgent response. UNHCR needs to step up its response in delivering humanitarian assistance in the Greek islands. Press Release - 20 Jul 2015

Tanzania

Camp for Burundi refugees ‘at breaking point’

As large numbers of refugees fleeing unrest in Burundi cross the border to neighbouring Tanzania, the overcrowded refugee camp of Nyarugusu “has reached breaking point”, according to Sita Cacioppe, emergency coordinator for Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF). Press Release - 20 Jul 2015

Italy

Migration: Bourbon Argos not authorised to land 700 rescued migrants in Sicily

Despite lengthy discussions with Italian authorities and efforts by the Italian Coastguards, the Bourbon Argos was not authorised to disembark the 700 migrants in Sicily due to lack of capacity of the reception system. Press Release - 17 Jul 2015

Haemorrhagic fevers

crisis update - 17 July 2015

Though Ebola has faded from the news headlines, the epidemic in West Africa continues to claim lives today. Around 30 people become infected each week in Sierra Leone and Guinea – a number that would be considered a major disaster under normal circumstances – and the outbreak has recently reemerged in Liberia. Crisis Update - 17 Jul 2015

Haemorrhagic fevers

“We must finish the job”

“On Ebola, we went from global indifference, to global fear, to global response and now to global fatigue. We must finish the job.” said MSF International President Dr. Joanne Liu. “Going from hundreds of cases to 30 per week took considerable time and massive resources, yet getting from 30 to zero requires the most meticulous, difficult work of all.” Crisis Update - 17 Jul 2015

Palestine

Gaza activity update - July 2015 - One year report

Gaza is regularly subjected to outbursts of violence. Most recently, Israel’s ‘Operation Protective Edge’ targeted Gaza Strip for 50 days in July and August 2014 – the deadliest and most destructive of Israel’s three wars on Gaza since 2008. Crisis Update - 16 Jul 2015

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