COVID-19: Avoiding a ‘second tragedy’ for those with TB

As the world grapples with the coronavirus COVID-19 global pandemic, Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) is concerned for vulnerable groups worldwide. People with tuberculosis (TB) are among the groups that may be particularly affected. Special attention will be needed to safeguard the continuity of prevention, diagnosis, treatment and care for people with TB worldwide. TB is the world’s … Read more

COVID-19: Vulnerable communities are bracing for impact of COVID-19

Op-ed by Jonathan Whittall, Head of humanitarian analysis How are you supposed to wash your hands regularly if you have no running water or soap? How can you implement ‘social distancing’ if you live in a slum or a refugee camp? How are you supposed to stop crossing borders if you are fleeing from war? … Read more

Burkina Faso: Four questions on the unprecedented humanitarian emergency in Burkina Faso

Isabelle Defourny, MSF Director of Operations, was recently in Burkina Faso and raises the alarm on the humanitarian situation in the most conflict-affected areas of the country. 1. What’s the extent of the humanitarian crisis and violence in Burkina Faso? The first attacks claimed by jihadi groups in Burkina Faso took place in 2015. The extremely rapid … Read more

In the midst of COVID-19, “we’re getting down to work”

Open Letter by Dr Christos Christou, International President, Doctors Without Borders / Médecins Sans Frontières The following is a letter by MSF International President Dr Christos Christou addressed to all MSF staff and supporters. Dear colleagues, and friends and supporters of MSF As a medical humanitarian organisation with projects and teams around the world, we … Read more

Syria: People in northwest Syria continue to struggle despite truce

The military offensive carried out by the Government of Syria and its allies in northwest Syria has led to almost a million people in the Idlib region becoming displaced in the space of just four months. People have had to flee from their homes or from the camps they were already displaced in, to escape the daily shelling, aerial bombing, … Read more

As COVID-19 continues to spread, MSF prepares for action in France

PARIS – Faced with the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, the French health system is strengthening its capacity to prevent and treat cases. This week, in consultation with France’s health authorities, Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) is setting up activities to help detect and manage COVID-19 cases among the most vulnerable populations in Paris and the surrounding … Read more

COVID-19: Challenges in supporting COVID-19 response

The COVID-19 pandemic has already spread to more than 100 countries around the world. These include countries whose health systems are fragile and where MSF teams have a long-standing presence, as well as regions such as Europe, where the capacities are more robust but where the epidemic is particularly virulent. Travel restrictions generated by the outbreak also … Read more

Italy: MSF starts COVID-19 response activities in four northern Italian hospitals

ROME – Teams from Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) in Italy are providing support to Italian health authorities in response to the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic. MSF staff are based in four hospitals in the northern Italian province of Lodi, part of the Lombardy region, the epicentre of the outbreak in the country. The MSF team in Lodi … Read more

Help and solidarity needed in Europe to protect medical staff from COVID-19

BRUSSELS – As the number of people with COVID-19 continues to rise rapidly across many countries in Europe – now the epicentre of the pandemic – Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) urges European Member States to demonstrate solidarity beyond their national borders. Essential medical supplies, including personal protective equipment starting from face masks to protect healthcare staff, must be … Read more

Greece: Evacuation of squalid Greek camps more urgent than ever over COVID-19 fears

ATHENS – The overcrowded and horrific living conditions in the camps – or  hotspots – on the Greek islands provide the perfect storm for a COVID-19 outbreak, warned Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF). Given the lack of adequate sanitation services and the severely limited medical care, the risk of the virus spreading amongst the inhabitants of the camps … Read more