Statements & Opinion

Médecins Sans Frontières/Doctors Without Borders (MSF) is deeply alarmed by the decision of some countries, including Australia, to suspend their funding to UNRWA (United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East).

Nasser Hospital, the largest remaining health facility in Gaza can no longer provide vital medical services, leaving Palestinians with few options for care.

Dr Nathalie Thurtle, an emergency physician working with Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), shares her experience after returning from five weeks as MSF medical coordinator in east Jerusalem and the West Bank. 

With the advance of the Israeli forces, and due to the massive bombardments and ground fighting, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) teams are focusing their activities in the south of the Gaza Strip. 

Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) condemns in the strongest possible terms 8 January strike on an MSF shelter, which led to the death of the five-year-old daughter of an MSF staff member.

On 12 December 2023, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) Australia Executive Director, Jennifer Tierney, and President, Katrina Penney, wrote to New Zealand's Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Minister of Foreign Affairs Winston Peters, urging them to do everything in their power to bring about an enduring ceasefire in Gaza and Israel.

The United Nations Security Council failed to adopt a resolution demanding a ceasefire in Gaza—blocked by a veto from the United States.

On 18 November 2023, an MSF evacuation convoy came under fire in Gaza killing two people. After collecting the testimonies of MSF staff present, we consider that all elements point to responsibility for this attack to the Israeli army.

The situation is worsening by the day for people living in Tougan, a town in the Boucle du Mouhoun region. Almost 20% of the children screened by Médecins Sans Frontières in this town in northwest Burkina Faso were found to be suffering from acute malnutrition. 

World leaders gathering in Dubai for COP28 must take urgent measures to protect the health of the most affected communities.