Our concerns
Rapid transmission
Iraq is currently experiencing a third wave of COVID-19 cases.
Rapid transmission
Iraq is currently experiencing a third wave of COVID-19 cases.
Supporting health authorities
MSF operates the COVID-19 intensive care unit in Al-Kindi Hospital, Baghdad, which provides lifesaving care to severely and critically ill COVID-19 patients. At the Sinuni General Hospital in Sinjar, MSF operates a seven-bed unit dedicated to monitoring and stabilising suspected COVID-19 patients. We have also continued providing emergency, maternity, neonatal and mental health services.
The heartland of the Islamic Empire in the middle ages, Iraq gained independence from Britain in 1932. In 2003, the US-led invasion resulted in clashes for control among governments and insurgents, including al-Qaeda. Instability and sabotage have obstructed efforts to rebuild an economy shattered by decades of conflict and sanctions, even though Iraq has the world's second-largest reserves of crude oil.
The mainly Shia-led governments that have held power since have struggled to maintain order, and the country has enjoyed only brief periods of respite from high levels of sectarian violence.
MSF has been working in Iraq since 2003, providing primary and secondary healthcare, services for expectant and new mothers, treatment for chronic diseases, surgery and rehabilitation for war-wounded, mental health support and health education activities.
We have steadily increased our response during 2016, deploying teams to provide emergency and basic medical care, maternal care and mental health services, as well as providing essential relief items to displaced families, returnees, impoverished host communities and Syrian refugees.
Mosul’s old town experienced intense shelling, aerial bombing and attacks with improvised explosive devices (IED) during the conflict to retake the city from the Islamic State group in 2016/17. MSF teams distribute hygiene kits, which include items such as soap, toothbrushes, towels and water containers. The kits will help families stay clean and prevent the spread of diseases. © Myers / MSF
Armed conflict since 2014 has displaced millions of people. More than two million people have returned home as remaining cities are re-taken from the terrorist group, Islamic State, but a significant number have nowhere to return to. Many remain in camps, while others are living in schools, mosques and unfinished buildings.
In internally displaced people’s (IDP) camps close to Mosul and Erbil, MSF works in six locations providing mental healthcare and treatment for non-communicable diseases, such as diabetes. The mental health services include psychological and psychiatric consultations, group therapy, psycho-social counselling and child therapy.
Accessing healthcare services is a daily challenge for thousands of children and adults in Mosul. The city’s population is increasing by the day. In May 2018 alone, almost 46,000 people returned to Mosul. But the public health system is not recovering and there is a huge gap between the available services and the needs of the growing population.
A significant number of women deliver at home without the help of skilled birth attendants. We provide antenatal and postnatal care, as well as services for complicated and non-complicated deliveries, and family planning. MSF mobile teams and clinics offer basic emergency obstetric and neonatal care, manage minor obstetric complications, and refer patients with more serious obstetric problems hospitals.
War-related trauma cases are decreasing but the security situation remains fragile. We opened a second operating theatre at our emergency field hospital in Qayyarah, northern Iraq, in March 2018. We've also provided hospitals in Erbil, Zakho and Dohuk with medical supplies for treating the wounded.
Many trauma patients will need multiple surgeries, regular dressing changes, pain management, and physiotherapy. MSF has built a post-operative care facility in Mosul and opened a medical rehabilitation centre in Baghdad. Improving patients' post-surgical recovery processes will help prevent complications and physical and psychological impairments.
Mosul's healthcare system is still in ruins and struggling to cope as thousands of people continue to return to the city. During the conflict, nine out of 13 public hospitals were damaged in Mosul, slashing healthcare capacity and the number of hospital beds by 70%. © Fourt / MSF
In Mosul, much of the old city is still inaccessible due to the destruction and presence of improvised explosive devices (IEDs), unexploded ordinance (UXO) and booby traps. Despite the danger of explosive remnants of war, thousands of people have returned to their homes, facing extremely difficult conditions, often living without water and electricity, and in partially damaged houses.
Médecins Sans Frontières has been working in Afghanistan since 1980, providing emergency surgical care, responding to conflict and natural disasters, and treating people cut off from healthcare.
MSF worked in Angola from 1983 until 2007. Why were we there? Armed conflict Endemic/Epidemic disease Social violence/Healthcare exclusion
MSF worked in Argentina from 2001 until 2003. Why were we there? Providing essential medicines and supplies
Why are we there? Endemic/epidemic disease Social violence/healthcare exclusion Natural disaster
Cameroon is facing multiple and overlapping crises, including recurrent epidemics, malnutrition due to food insecurity, displacement, and conflict.
Why are we there? Armed conflict Endemic/epidemic disease Healthcare exclusion
Why are we there? Armed conflict Healthcare exclusion Natural disaster
The political, economic and military crises of 2002-2010 have taken a severe toll on the Ivorian health system.
MSF worked in Ecuador until 2007. Why were we there? Endemic/Epidemic disease Natural disaster
In France, we work with migrants and refugees, who encounter policies and practices aimed at preventing them from settling or claiming their rights.
Why are we there? Armed conflict Endemic/epidemic disease Social violence/heathcare exclusion
Haiti’s healthcare system remains precarious in the wake of natural disasters and ongoing political and economic crises. Ongoing disasters have led to Haiti becoming the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere.
Honduras has experienced years of political, economic and social instability, and has one of the highest rates of violence in the world. This has great medical, psychological and social consequences for people.
An MSF team in Hong Kong opened a project at the end of January focusing on health education for vulnerable people. Community engagement is a crucial activity of any outbreak response and in Hong Kong, this focuses on groups who are less likely to have access to important medical information, such as the socio-economically disadvantaged. The team is also targeting those who are more vulnerable to developing severe disease if they are infected, such as the elderly.
MSF worked in Indonesia between 1995 and 2009 Why were we there? Natural disaster
Jordan hosts over 700,000 refugees, according to the UNHCR, many of whom reside in camps or have settled in the country.
Although health services are being progressively restored in Liberia, important gaps persist, notably in specialised paediatric care and mental health.
Libya remains fragmented by a decade of conflict and political instability. The breakdown of law and order, the collapse of the economy, and fighting have decimated the healthcare system.
Access to medical care remains very limited in the north and centre of Mali due to a lack of medical staff and supplies and spiralling violence between armed groups.
In Mozambique we are responding to emergencies including disease outbreaks, providing care to people with advanced HIV, while also working in the conflict-ridden Cabo-Delgado province.
Why are we there? Endemic/epidemic disease Social violence/healthcare exclusion
Why are we there? Providing comprehensive emergency healthcare to people in remote regions of Pakistan is a priority, yet accessibility and security are a constraint for both Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) and patients.
At the end of 2007, MSF ended its activities in Rwanda after 16 years in the country. MSF's work included assistance to displaced persons, war surgery, programmes for unaccompanied children and street children, support to victims traumatised by the conflict, programmes to improve access to healthcare, responding to epidemics such as malaria, cholera and tuberculosis, and projects linked to maternal and reproductive health.
Why are we there? Endemic/epidemic disease Healthcare exclusion
Why are we there? Armed conflict Endemic/epidemic disease Healthcare exclusion
Why are we there? Armed conflict Endemic/Epidemic disease Healthcare exclusion
Why are we there? Endemic/epidemic disease Social violence Healthcare exclusion