On World Photography Day, we are spotlighting moments captured by Médecins Sans Frontières/Doctors Without Borders (MSF) Field Communications teams across South Asia, images that offer a glimpse into the people, places and realities behind MSF’s medical humanitarian work.
In humanitarian contexts, photography is more than documentation. A photograph can hold a moment of care, resilience, uncertainty or quiet strength. It can help bring visibility to people whose experiences are often overlooked, while reminding us that every image carries a deeper story beyond what is seen in the frame.
Through this collection, our Field Communications colleagues share selected photographs from MSF projects and the untold stories behind the click — the conversations, emotions, challenges and human connections that shaped each moment. From clinics and community spaces to emergency responses and everyday acts of support, these images reflect the dignity of people receiving care and the commitment of teams working alongside them.
India and Sri Lanka
“For World Photography Day, I wanted to share two photographs that, in very different ways, reflect something I value about humanitarian photography.
The first photograph was taken at the MSF advanced HIV care centre at Guru Gobind Singh Hospital in Patna, Bihar. It shows an infection prevention and control worker at the washing area. His work helps maintain a safe and hygienic environment and protect patients and staff from infections. It is an essential part of healthcare, yet these roles often remain unseen and rarely get talked about. I like this photograph because it brings that work into focus.
The second photograph is from MSF’s response to Cyclone Ditwah in Sri Lanka. What I like about it is the moment it captures not a dramatic scene of a disaster, but the quiet human connection between two colleagues as they arrive to support the response. Against the scale of the aircraft and the operation around them, the gesture of a hand on someone’s shoulder feels particularly human.
Together, these photographs remind me that humanitarian work is not only about the big moments we see. It is also about the people, relationships and often-unseen efforts that make a response possible.”
-Deepak Bhatia, Digital Manager
MSF South Asia
Bangladesh
“This image, taken in flood-affected Noakhali, Bangladesh in 2024, speaks volumes about resilience in the face of climate disaster. Where vast paddy fields were completely submerged, this woman quietly navigated the waters to keep moving forward. What draws me to this photo is her quiet strength-a vivid reminder that behind every disaster statistic are individuals navigating immense hardship with dignity. For me, it mirrors the heart of MSF’s mission: bridging difficult paths to ensure no one is left isolated when crisis strikes.”
-Farah Tanerjee
Field Communications Manager, MSF Bangladesh
Pakistan
“A father’s playful smile, a child’s pure laughter, and a warmth that no camera setting could ever fake — this photo is far from technically perfect, but it captures something rarer: raw emotion and real, worry-free love. That’s why this is one of my favourite photos.”
-Gul Nyab, Field Communications Officer, MSF Pakistan
Afghanistan
“In Afghanistan, girls are currently barred from higher education. This not only threatens the availability of female healthcare workers in long-term, but also limits opportunity for women and girls to acquire health knowledge and other essential skills. During an MSF health promotion session in Bamyan province, girls raise their hands to participate in a discussion on personal hygiene and women’s health. For many girls in remote communities, these outreach sessions provide a valuable opportunity to access health information, ask questions, and discuss issues affecting their wellbeing.”
–Shuk Lim Cheung, Field Communications Manager,
MSF Afghanistan
