Month in focus - July 2010

In the "Month in Focus - July 2010" edition: Haiti - Six months on; Malnutrition - hundreds of thousands of children under threat; Kyrgyzstan - tension remains high

South Africa: Survial migrants and refugees from Zimbabwe face xenophobic violence

The reality of thousands of migrants arriving and existing on the margins in South Africa is grim. They lack access to proper health care, shelter and safety, while also facing violence, physical and verbal abuse, police harassment and xenophobic attacks.

In Musina, on the border with Zimbabwe, where MSF runs medical programs, the number of attacks, robberies and rapes by gangs active on both sides of the border has been on the rise since the beginning of the year. In its clinic in Musina, MSF treated 103 survivors of sexual violence in the first four months of this year, 71 since March 1 alone.

For those fleeing hardship back home, crossing the border, even with the proper documents, remains a dangerous struggle.

HIV/AIDS: Non-negotiable lives

India is the source of most of the generic drugs used in the developing world. It can only do this thanks to its flexible patent laws. But today, through a new free trade agreement, the European Union is seeking to impose new restrictions on Indian intellectual property law, posing a threat to the production and to the export to the developing world of generic drugs at affordable prices.

HIV/AIDS: Generic medicines under threat

Without affordable generic drugs from India, millions of people with AIDS would not be alive today.  Don’t let the Free Trade Agreement between India and the European Union put an end to access to life-saving affordable medicines.

Month in Focus - April 2010

In the "Month in Focus - April 2010" edition: Haiti – Three Months Later ; South Africa – Violence without borders ; Mayotte – Reaching isolated migrants ; Morocco - Sexual violence and migration ; HIV/AIDS - Non-negotiable lives and access to generic medicines.

Haiti: Two month post-earthquake update of MSF interventions

Haiti: Two month post-earthquake update of MSF interventions

A Month in Focus - February

Haiti: Working through the disaster & Zimbabwe: Giving life without AIDS

Haiti: Working through the disaster

On January 12, Haiti was struck by major a earthquake and its devastating consequences – the loss of 200 000 lives, and as many wounded.

MSF, already running several projects on the island, was able to respond immediately, providing emergency medical care to victims of the disaster. Within hours, hundreds of wounded had arrived to MSF health facilities in search of help.

Working conditions were difficult. Many members of staff were missing and several of the buildings where MSF had been working were damaged… Despite the shock and turmoil, MSF’s Haitian staff turned up to the health centres, determined to be of assistance.

Haiti: Better conditions for staff and patients

The inflatable hospital at St Louis is now operational, providing better conditions for both staff and patients.

Haiti: Adapting to needs

Nearly two weeks after the earthquake, the emergency medical work that Médecins sans Frontières (MSF) teams are providing is diversifying.

The number of operations carried out in Port-au-Prince remains very high, however there are an increasing number of patients in need of post-operative care.

Haiti: Haitian staff determined to help

Like many Haitians, these MSF staff members have been hard hit by the earthquake. Many have lost relatives and most have suffered material loss.

Haiti: Operations on the increase

MSF staff in Haiti are working day and night to treat the thousands of people injured in the earthquake.

Surgical teams have been carrying out an average of 130 operations per day - this number is steadily rising as the organisation increases its activities.

A Month in Focus - January 2010

Haiti, overwhelming numbers of wounded. DRC, massacre survivors in need of assistance. Thailand, forced return, no witnesses present. Mayotte, migrants socially and medically vulnerable. Gaza, the ongoing pain of the war and embargo.

Haiti: B-roll of the inflatable hospital in Port-au-Prince

Logisticians from the international medical organization Médecins sans Frontières (MSF) are working around the clock to erect an inflatable hospital that has finally arrived from France. The hospital, which consists of nine tents, arrived late after the flight carrying it was diverted to Santo Domingo in the neighbouring Dominican Republic, leaving it to be brought in by road.

Work began Wednesday (20 January) to inflate the tents, a job which takes about two days. MSF is hoping that the hospital – which will add 100 beds and two operating theatres to their capacity in Haiti – will be ready to admit patients on Friday (22 january).

Haiti: Tour of MSF's inflatable hospital in Bordeaux

A guided tour of MSF's inflatable hospital, which will be used during the emergency response in Haiti.

Haiti: 6 MSF planes prevented from landing

The Port-au-Prince airport is still congested. Scores of planes are trying to land, but space is limited and fuel is scarce. Six MSF planes, carrying 85 tonnes of materials, have been redirected to the Dominican Republic.

Haiti: Saving time and lives, Trinity Hospital

In Haiti, MSF teams are working in Pacot, Choscal, Chancerelle and the general hospital. There are more than 700 national and international staff working on the ground to provide emergency medical care.

Medical activities are continuing in the grounds of Trinité hospital. One operating theatre has been set up under plastic sheeting and another in a shipping container.

These two theatres have enabled staff to carry out fifty operations per day, including caesarean sections, amputations, laparotomies and the disinfection of wounds.

MSF teams are facing an unprecedented challenge.

Haiti: To the aid of people in Port-au-Prince

On January 12th a major earthquake, measuring 7.3 on the Richter scale, struck Haiti.

The MSF teams already working in Port-au-Prince were able to provide immediate assistance to the injured, even though their facilities had collapsed. MSF’s two hospitals are no longer standing and 52 members of the NGO are reported missing.

The MSF teams are completely overwhelmed. They have been working round the clock since the disaster and have treated over three thousand injured, with priority given to severe trauma cases.

Haiti: Earthquake Teleconference January 13, 2010

Paul McPhun, an operations manager for Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) in Haiti, speaks following the devastating earthquake in Port-au-Prince. MSF is already treating hundreds of people injured in the disaster and has been setting up clinics in tents to replace the international emergency humanitarian organization’s own damaged medical facilities.

MSF is working hard to get more staff into the country. Around 70 more are expected to arrive in the coming days.

HIV/AIDS: Join the push for the pool, HIV drugs for all

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

The international medical humanitarian organization Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) is calling on nine of the world's largest pharmaceutical companies to help accelerate the availability of new treatments for millions of people living with HIV/AIDS, by pooling their patents on a list of key HIV medicines.

Democratic Republic of Congo

• In northern DRC, MSF is working in 6 locations, providing over 9,000 medical consultations a month in hospitals and health centres
• MSF has distributed relief items to some 16,000 people displaced by violence, as well as given vaccinations and mental health support
• 27 international staff work alongside 140 Congolese colleagues in MSF projects in the regions of Haut-Uélé and Bas-Uélé

Haiti

In Haiti, health is a reflection of social inequity. Haiti has a grim distinction: the highest rate of mortality linked to child birth in the West.

• Many women are unable to pay to receive adequate care to give birth safely, including those whose lives and pregnancies are at risk
• MSF offers free obstetric care to women in the slums of the capital, Port-au-Prince
• Since 2006, MSF has helped more than 24,000 women, 60 % of whom had complications

Pakistan

In the spring of 2009, 1 million people were displaced by violent clashes in Pakistan’s North West Frontier Province.

• MSF supports two health centres where those fleeing receive urgent care
• Over 3,000 people treated in June, including pregnant women and emergency cases
• MSF does not accept any government funding for Pakistan, relying solely on private donations

2009 August Month in Focus

2009 South Sudan - Photo slideshow by Brendan Bannon

2009 DRC - Delivering aid in North Kivu

An MSF logistician speaks about challenges in the distribution of aid materials in North Kivu, Democratic Republic of Congo. Basic relief items include pots, clothing, utensils, water collection vessels. MSF is also providing medical aid for displaced populations via mobile clinics.

2009 PSA - "Make Your Mark"

QuickTime Video – 34.11 MB

QuickTime Video – 34.11 MB

MSF's 2009 public service announcement, "Make Your Mark", features footage from MSF field projects around the world.

Also available on YouTube at : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gPKXtSUoUws

2009: Surgery in Vavuniya, Sri Lanka

MSF Surgical Advisor, Paul McMaster, arrived in Vavuniya, northern Sri Lanka on April 16, 2009. In this interview, he speaks about surgical interventions in the Vavuniya hospital, 90% of which are resulting from armed conflict in the region. Questions remain how these survivors will cope with their injuries with continued fighting...

Meningitis epidemic in West Africa: vaccination campaign

Several countries in West Africa are facing a major meningitis epidemic; hundreds of MSF /Ministry of Health teams are mobilized to treat and to vaccinate.

Read more about the vaccination campaign.

2009: April Month in Focus

The April 2009 "Month in Focus" video presents: Mass vaccination of meningitis in Nigeria; the release of kidnapped MSF staff in Darfur; Sri Lanka's populations held hostage to conflict; new cholera cases emerging in Zimbabwe; and the possibility of recovery with treatment of multi-drug-resistent tuberculosis.

Darfur: Three MSF staff abducted in Darfur

Interview with Christopher Stokes, General Director of MSF Belgium, following the abduction of 3 international staff from Darfur, Sudan

Darfur: hundreds of thousands in danger

Dr Christophe Fournier, MSF International President, reacts to the expulsion of two MSF sections from Sudan

2009 - February Month in Focus

In the February edition of "Month in Focus", we pay tribute to Riaz Ahmad and Nasar Ali — two MSF staff members killed in Pakistan; a follow-up report on surgery in Gaza following bombings; attacks in Haut Uéké, DRC; assisting Congolese refugees in Uganda; and adapting malnutrition assistance for young children.

2009 - in the sleeping sickness ward, in Haut Uélé, DRC

In 2007, MSF opened a sleeping sickness treatment project in Doruma, in northern Oriental Province, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Assessments conducted by MSF showed that the large number of cases justified the resumption of active screening and treatment of people infected. This is a very insecure region due to the atrocities perpetrated by the LRA. Moreover, lack of roads and bridges result in great logistical challenges accessing populations requiring assistance. MSF is collaborating with the "Drugs for Neglected D iseases Initiative" (DNDi) Foundation, to encourage increased research and development of treatments that simple to administer and less toxic for the patients. Dr. Delphine Berthod explains these challenges at the MSF treatment center located in the heart of the infected region. Since the start of the project, 1,300 have been cured and 36,000 have been screened.

2009 — January Report on MSF in Gaza

WATCH: CNN's report on MSF's surgical services for burn victims at the inflatable tent hospital in Gaza City

2009 - January Month in Focus

2009 — Violence in DRC

Since 25 December 2008, people in the northeast of Democratic Republic of Congo have suffered repeated attacks by the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA).
MSF teams have been treating the wounded in Faradje and Doruma.
This is an interview with Laurent Ligozat, deputy operational director and interview by phone from Dungu with Mathieu Bichet.

2008 — December in Focus

In the December "Month in Focus" video, violence in North Kivu province, DRC, forces populations to flee to neighbouring town Rutshuru, where MSF supports a local hospital; acts of piracy off the coast of Somalia draw attention away from violent clashes in the never-ending war affecting civilians; Maternal and infant mortality has reached alarming levels in South Sudan where MSF has set up an obstetric care program in the hospital in Aweil; the humanitarian situation continues to deteriorate in the Gaza Strip causing drastic restrictions on food and medical supplies; and intra-Palestinian tensions remain high in Nablus, West Bank with civilians traumatised.

2008 — Widespread looting in Kayna region, DRC

In the Kayna region of North Kivu, hundreds of thousands of people are caught in crisis. Homes and health centres were ransacked and emptied in the latest upsurge of violence in late November. Below, Sahla Issoufou, who coordinates MSF’s medical activities in the region, answers questions about the situation facing the people...

01 December 2008 — World AIDS Day

"World AIDS Day 2008 – Quicktime Video - 31.7MB

Improved paediatric formulations of anti-retroviral medicines are needed to treat HIV-positive children. Footage from MSF's HIV/AIDS treatment program in the Mathare slum of Nairobi, Kenya.

2008 — October in review

In the October "Month in Focus" video, you will find coverage of MSF's response to ongoing needs resulting from floods in Haiti; the suspension of MSF's nutrition program in Niger; full-scale war returns to North Kivu, Democratic Republic of Congo; MSF's vaccination campaign in Katanga, Democratic Republic of Congo; and the treatment of wounded Iraqis in Iran.

2008 Ethiopia

Hope attracts crowds to MSF feeding centres

MSF Nutritional intervention

2008 — September in review

"Violence continues in North Kivu, DRC – Quicktime Video - 14.1MB

Despite the signing of the January 2008 Goma peace agreement, frequent fighting continues in the eastern regions of the DRC. MSF is assisting displaced populations in the North Kivu region.

"Nutritional crisis in Ethiopia" – Quicktime Video - 15.2MB

Lack of food security in the Somali region of Ethiopia and malnutrition impacts on the immune systems of children, resulting in infections and pneumonia. MSF is providing medical care, food rations, and treatment for malnutrition.

"Health Held Hostage to Politics" – Quicktime Video - 14.6MB

Health care workers have been on strike since Aug 30, following Hamas' firing on medical workers, resulting in a reduction of 50-80% of medical services, including the suspension of specialised surgeries and external referrals.

"Health Held Hostage to Politics" – Quicktime Video - 17.5MB

MSF is assisting the displaced persons, following the August attacks in South Ossetia. Common issues presenting include post-trama stress, anxiety, sleeping problems, fear, decompensated diabetes due to interruptions in treatment, and displacement.

2008 Kenya - Mount Elgon: A Terrorised Population in Desperate Need of Assistance<

2008 Bangladesh - Rohingya refugees in Teknaf

2008 Ethiopia - MSF Nutritional intervention

2008 MSF Film - Haiti

Hard Labours

The worst maternal death rate in the western hemisphere.

2008 Myanmar - more is needed

2008 Myanmar- A big operation but much more is needed

MSF's response to the Myanmar cyclone emergency response.

2008 Myanmar

2008 Myanmar

Interview with Jean-Sébastien Matte, Emergency Coordinator, Myanmar cyclone emergency response

2008 Myanmar family story

2008 Myanmar family story

2008 Myanmar family story

Testimony of Dr. Muang Mya Myine, working for MSF in the Irrawaddy Delta, Myanmar.

2008 Sierra Leone — World Malaria Day

"2008 World Malaria Day in Sierra Leone – MP4 Video - 11.3MB

Malaria is the biggest killer of children under five in Sierra Leone. This is despite the fact that treatment and early diagnostic tools are available. MSF Belgiumâ??s project in Bo is tackling the biggest obstacles facing local communities access to treatment.

2008 Southern Sudan — Ongoing Emergency

"Dying in Peace: The ongoing emergency in Southern Sudan – MP4 Video - 27.5MB

Despite the signing of a Peace Agreement in 2005, which ended more than two decades of civil war between the north and the south of Sudan, medical needs in Southern Sudan remain overwhelming. Outbreaks of disease and violence continue, while many people still do not have access to basic health care, resulting in preventable deaths.

2008 Colombia — Tuberculosis and displacement

Multi-drug resistent tuberculosis and displacement – QuickTime Video - 9.79MB

An MSF patient discusses the difficult choice between staying at home in her village with her family and seeking medical treatment for tuberculosis in rural Colombia. Translation provided by Alícia Martínez.

2008 Colombia — Sexual violence and displacement

Sexual violence and displacement – QuickTime Video - 31.10MB

MSF psychologist, Andrés Forero, interviews a patient who details her experience with sexual violence and displacement in Colombia. Translation provided by Alícia Martínez.

2008 Colombia — Reproductive health and poverty

Reproductive health – QuickTime Video - 5.02MB

MSF nurse, Lisbeth Flores, discusses the influence of poverty, displacement and disintegrated family structures on reproductive health and family-planning. Translation provided by Alícia Martínez.

2008 Colombia — HIV/AIDS and women

HIV/AIDS and Women – QuickTime Video - 5.81MB

MSF social worker, Sandra Estrada, describes the context for HIV+ women, disclosure of their HIV status, and family safety in rural areas of Sincelejo, Colombia. Translation provided by Alícia Martínez.

2008 Colombia — Children and sexual violence

Children and sexual violence – QuickTime Video - 6.08MB

MSF social worker, Susanna Alba, describes the impact of sexual violence on children in and around Sincelejo, Colombia. Translation provided by Alícia Martínez.

2008 Colombia — Reproductive health services

Reproductive healthcare services – QuickTime Video - 8.92MB

MSF nurse, Marlen Rivera Cervantes, details the gaps in local healthcare services for people living with HIV/AIDS in the rural areas around Sincelejo, Colombia. Translation provided by Alícia Martínez.

2007 SEXUAL VIOLENCE — "Women Are Heroes" PSA

"Women Are Heroes" PSA – MP4 QuickTime Video - 3.7 MB

"Women Are Heroes" PSA – Windows Media Video - 3.6 MB

Produced by MSF Belgium for the "Women Are Heroes" advocacy campaign on violence against women.

Also available on YouTube at : http://youtube.com/watch?v=PqsXtyMkuhE

2007 HIV/AIDS — "The Human Ball" PSA

QuickTime Video – 108.5 MB

QuickTime Video – 164.19 MB

MSF is pleased to present "The Human Ball" – An animated video developed in an effort to draw attention to the continuing ravages of the HIV/AIDS pandemic in resource-poor countries around the world.

2007 Jordan — Refugee health

1 - Windows Media - 8.1 MB

2 - Windows Media - 9.4 MB

3 - Windows Media - 5 MB

A series of videos about MSF's assistance to Iraqi refugees in Amman, Jordan.

• 1: Performing surgery on wounded Iraqis.
• 2: MSF provides a new lease on life for wounded people.
• 3: Physiotherapy.

2007 Chad

Windows Media - 19.69MB

QuickTime Video - 17.05MB

You'll hear reports on the floods in Chad, the blurring of lines between military and humanitarian activities in the Horn of Africa, and an MSF study of measles epidemics that may change the way health agencies respond to future outbreaks. Also a report on the intensifying conflict along Chad's eastern border with Sudan.