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

March 23, 2020

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...

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

March 21, 2020

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...

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

March 20, 2020

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...

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

March 18, 2020

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...

COVID-19: Challenges in supporting COVID-19 response

March 16, 2020

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...

MSF response to COVID-19

March 13, 2020

MSF teams are directly responding to the COVID-19 pandemic in over 40 countries worldwide. Our COVID-19 response focuses on three main priorities:supporting authorities to provide care for COVID-19 patients;protecting people who are vulnerable and at risk;and keeping essential medical services...

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

March 12, 2020

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...

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

March 11, 2020

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...

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

March 11, 2020

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...

Preparing for COVID-19 in South-East Asia

March 5, 2020

Tankred Stöbe, MSF emergency coordinator, visited several countries in South-East Asia to assess their preparedness for potential outbreaks of COVID-19 coronavirus and the support MSF could provide. He participated in training sessions with healthcare staff in a hepatitis C clinic in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. A similar training...

Mediterranean migration: Ocean Viking arbitrarily quarantined by Italian authorities over COVID-19 fears

February 28, 2020

As Italy was hit by the COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak late last week, the Ocean Viking, the search and rescue ship operated by Doctors Withour Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) and SOS MEDITERRANEE, was put under quarantine following the disembarkation of 276 people rescued at sea...

MSF update on COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak

February 14, 2020

MSF’s epidemiologists and infectious disease experts are following the fast-evolving development of the outbreak of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). As of 14 February, there are more than 64,000 cases worldwide, more than 99 per cent of which are in mainland China. We...