News updates

Double epidemic of TB and HIV in Southern Africa

28 October 2009

MSF and Swaziland discuss public health response and finding practical solutions

European countries dramatically underfunding TB research

23 October 2009

New MSF report sheds light on neglect that costs lives

Indonesia: ‘The emergency phase is mostly over. We are now entering the recovery.’

23 October 2009

Loreto Barceló is the coordinator of the MSF emergency teams currently assisting the survivors of the earthquake that struck the island of Sumatra on Sept. 30. Twenty days after launching MSF's emergency intervention, Barceló...

Philippines: Ongoing aid to the most vulnerable almost a month after violent tropical storms

23 October 2009

In Manila and the north of the Philippines, MSF teams continue to assist the most vulnerable people affected by tropical storms Ketsana (known locally as Ondoy) and Parma (known locally as Pepeng). The powerful weather systems...

Yemen: Hospital hit by rocket fire, MSF calls for respect of healthcare facilities

20 October 2009

War has been ongoing for the past two months in northern Yemen. One of the last hospitals still operating in the Saada governorate area was directly hit by fighting last week and forced to stop its work. Patients urgently need a...

North DRC: Pierrette’s story (15 years old)

14 October 2009

Pierrette* does not know her exact age, but she shyly suggests “around 15.” She was kidnapped by armed men, and held captive for two months. She became what is known as a “forced wife,” given to a man to spend nights with...

North DRC: Michel’s story (13 years old)

14 October 2009

It must have been about midnight. Michel* was sleeping soundly at home alongside his little brothers and his older sister. Four men came – they were armed but dressed as civilians. They tied Michel’s and his sister’s hands...

North DRC: Louis and Antoine’s story (54 years old and 16 years old)

14 October 2009

“I thought I’d never see you again. Is it really you?”

Louis* weeps on inspecting the frail body of Antoine, his 16-year-old son, who has just been through four months of captivity at the hands of armed men. “My child. Thank...

North DRC: Violence expands, population urgently needs assistance

13 October 2009

One year after violence erupted in Haut-Uélé district, in northern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), attacks and clashes have now expanded to new areas, forcing hundreds of thousands of people to flee. Humanitarian...

Philippines: Emergency aid in newly flooded area in the north

13 October 2009

The torrential and prolonged rains affecting the northern Philippines have provoked new destruction and human suffering. On Oct. 8, the province of Benguet was affected by hundreds of landslides causing around 180 deaths. The...

MSF in Afghanistan

09 October 2009

Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) started working again in Afghanistan in 2009. The organization’s return to the country – after five years – was motivated by the increasing number of signals that the overall situation for Afghans...

Indonesia: Psychologist sees survivors bearing the burdens of loss and suffering after earthquake

09 October 2009

Marlene Lee, a psychologist with Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), speaks about her visit to Sumatra and to one of the areas hardest hit by the earthquake that struck the Indonesian island on Sept. 29.

Samoa: Offering psychological support as people rebuild lives after tsunami

09 October 2009

After nearly a week of assessments carried out in Samoa following the tsunami that struck islands in the South Pacific on Sept. 29, a Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) team has found that the vast majority of medical and non-medical...

Philippines: Assessing uncertain situation in the north as typhoon Parma loops back

09 October 2009

Doctors and logisticians working with Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) are currently assessing the situation on the main island of Luzon, as tropical storm Parma continues to rain on the northern Philippines. Authorities fear new...

Asia and Pacific disasters: Psychological support for survivors

09 October 2009

MSF teams providing emergency medical and relief aid, integrating mental healthcare into their activities

Indonesia: Earthquake update: Teams, aid reaching rural and hard-hit areas

07 October 2009

Almost one week after a severe earthquake hit the Indonesian island of Sumatra, rescue operations are coming to an end and the search for survivors has been stepped down. But relief operations will continue, focusing on...

Philippines: Update on emergency aid after floods

07 October 2009

Natasha Reyes-Ticzon is a doctor working as part of the Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) emergency team offering assistance in the Philippines after the recent devastating floods. She speaks briefly about what the team has to...

South Asia and South Pacific natural disasters: MSF reaches isolated areas, impressive initial response from local and international groups

06 October 2009

More than 60 Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) surgeons, doctors, nurses, logisticians and other staff are currently part of the substantial international and local aid effort in Manila in the Philippines, Padang in Indonesia and...

Indonesia Earthquake

04 October 2009

Three days after a powerful earthquake hit the Indonesian island of Sumatra leaving close to 1,000 dead, approximately 3,000 missing and more than 3,000 wounded, the first Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) teams arrived to the...

Philippines: Flood victims brace for next typhoon

02 October 2009

It has started raining again in the Philippines as another typhoon is forecast for this weekend. Tropical storm Ketsana, which hit the country with force last Saturday, caused major flooding in and around the capital Manila,...

MSF calls on drug companies to pool HIV patents

01 October 2009

Drug companies: Show your commitment to people with HIV in developing countries

Indonesia: MSF teams on their way after quake, relief material being prepared

01 October 2009

Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) is today sending an emergency team of six people to Indonesia following yesterday’s powerful earthquake that authorities say has killed more than 750 people and left thousands trapped under rubble....

Philippines: MSF emergency teams providing medical care to flood victims

01 October 2009

After a quick assessment of the needs in the province of Rizal, southeast of Manila, a Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) medical team has started to provide medical aid to victims of the devastating floods that hit the Philippines...