Stories & News

Malaria continues to be a major health problem in South Sudan, with the ongoing humanitarian crisis impacting the severity of the outbreaks. With those under five years of age most at risk, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) has launched a seasonal malaria chemoprevention program in Aweil to prevent infection and serious illness among children.

Some of the worst floods to hit South Sudan in decades have affected more than 780,000 people in the region. People’s homes and livelihoods—crops and cattle—as well as health facilities, schools, and markets, are submerged by floodwaters. Hundreds of thousands of people have been displaced, and already existing displacement camps are at risk of being completely flooded, leading to even further displacement.

One year ago—and seven months into the COVID-19 pandemic—India and South Africa put forward the TRIPS Waiver proposal: a groundbreaking solution to lift intellectual property barriers on and ensure greater equity in access to any vaccines, tests, treatments or other medical tools needed to tackle COVID-19.  

Despite this waiver offering the chance to save millions of lives, a number of wealthy countries continue to block it.

After more than six years of conflict, the Yemen crisis no longer makes top story headlines. But the war is not over, and the impact of this conflict on the wellbeing on those living in Yemen is extensive. 

Antonella Pozzi, mental health activity manager for Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), discussed the mental health crisis in Yemen and the ways MSF is working to promote mental wellbeing.

The Afghan healthcare system has been fragile and plagued by major gaps for years now, and the suspension of international aid as a result of the recent political developments has further deteriorated the situation.

In Herat, Médecins Sans Frontières is witnessing a worrying increase in malnutrition, says Mamman Mustapha, former Project Coordinator for MSF in the province.

The detention camps in northeast Syria are not a safe place for anyone, especially the tens of thousands of children forced to call them home, writes Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) Nursing Activity Manager Sarah Gnanaseharam.

Over the past decade, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) has shifted its approach to mental health care to integrate it more deliberately in all activities. 

Today, mental health care is at the forefront of our projects from Latin America to Africa, to Asia and the Mediterranean Sea, as well as across Europe. In the past 10 years, mental health consultations in our projects have risen by 230 per cent worldwide.

Heavy rains have caused widespread flooding in South Sudan this year—affecting more than 400,000 people so far, according to United Nations estimates—while the rainy season continues.

Access to good menstrual hygiene is key to women’s health and wellbeing. But too often in humanitarian crises, these needs go unmet.

Medical coordinator Chiara Domenichini, and midwife and women’s health advisor Elisha Swift share current Médecins Sans Frontières/Doctors Without Borders (MSF) work to support menstrual hygiene solutions.