Photo: A herd of goats being driven out into the savannah to graze on the edge of the Mbera camp for Malian refugees in Mauritania. Mauritania 2013 © Nyani Quarmyne

Stranded in the Desert

The majority of the refugees in Mbera camp are pastoralists who lived nomadic or semi-nomadic lifestyles in Mali. Dependent on their livestock for a living, many of them fled with their cattles. However, 55% of the refugees interviewed left family members at home to tend to the livestock.

Stranded in the Desert
Read this full report on the living conditions of refugees.

Since the start of the conflict in Mali in January 2012, hundreds of thousands of people have fled to other locations inside the country or to neighboring countries. More than 270,000 people have been displaced within Mali, according to the United Nations, while more than 170,000 refugees have fled to neighboringBurkina Faso, Mauritania, and Niger. Mauritania hosts the highest number of refugees, with some 68,000 people registered by the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in camps in Mauritania.

Due to the ethnic and political background of this refugee crisis, there is little prospect of the refugees returning to Mali in the near future. The challenge for aid agencies will be to put in place long-term plans that will bring living conditions in the camps up to acceptable humanitarian standards.

Photo: An elderly Syrian refugee suffering from Parkinson’s disease sleeps in a room in a ramshackle home on a cattle ground in Tripoli, Lebanon, surrounded by his daughter-in-law and granddaughter. Lebanon 2013 © Michael Goldfarb

Lebanon: Aid Lags Far Behind as Syrian Refugees Increase

Syrians who have fled violent conflict at home to seek safety in Lebanon do not receive anywhere near adequate levels of humanitarian assistance and are living in extremely precarious conditions, a detailed survey released today by MSF.

The MSF report, “Misery Beyond the War Zone,” shows that of the 220,000Syrians who have sought refuge so far in Lebanon, many cannot obtain necessary health care, among other worrying findings. The survey, which follows a similarstudy carried out by MSF six months ago, reveals a marked deterioration of the humanitarian situation in Lebanon, in large part due to extremely lengthy registration delays. Refugees in Lebanon are not entitled to formal assistance if they are not registered. Lebanon is home to the largest number of Syrian refugees.

Photo:Malian refugees wait in Fassala to be registered by Mauritanian officials and a local NGO after fleeing Mali for the border. Mauritania 2012 © Lynsey Addario/VII

Alarming Malnutrition and Mortality Among Malian Refugees in Mauritania

One year after the start of the political crisis in Mali, insecurity resulting from the military coup, the Tuareg rebellion, and the presence of armed Islamist groups in the north has displaced hundreds of thousands of people. Some 55,000 refugees are still living in difficult conditions in the Mbera camp in Mauritania. A nutrition and retrospective mortality survey by Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontères (MSF) has revealed critical mortality and malnutrition rates. In this interview, Karl Nawezi, head of MSF’s activities in Mauritania, explains why the situation in the camp—which is located in the middle of the desert a few kilometres from the Malian border—has reached such an alarming point.

MSF Field Report: Decreasing Child Mortality in South Sudan
“How Did You Know We Were Here?”

The refugees wanted to know Dr. Jacoby’s story. They wanted to know where she was from, why MSF had come, and how did MSF even know they were there? 

Dr. Jacoby showed them the video that convinced her to go to Batil. It mad a major impact on them to realize that we were documenting their situation, and sharing it—“and that this information was enough to get people like me to come to Batil,” says Dr. Jacoby.

“I think that is really powerful. I think that knowing someone on the other side of the world saw what they’re up against, and cares enough to come, really helps people.”

Photo: A patient tells his story during a mental health consultation in Dagahaley camp. Kenya 2012 © Robin Hammond

Psychologists Sans Frontières: Bringing Mental Health Care to People Who Need It

During wars or following natural disasters, the proportion of people suffering from depression or anxiety—both normal reactions to traumatic events—often doubles or triples. In extreme situations, the whole population experiences increased anxiety or sadness. Most people get through it alone or with the help of friends and family. But for others, psychological or psychiatric care is necessary. 

Psychologists are an integral part of our teams, and play a vital role in patient recovery. In 2011, MSF psychologists carried out almost 17,000 individual mental health consultations and 19,2000 group counseling sessions. Learn more about how and why we’re providing mental health care in projects around the world. 

Photo: Somali refugees in Dadaab arrive in Ifo 2 camp after being moved by officials from the outskirts of Dagahaley camp. Kenya 2011 © Lynsey Addario/VII

Dadaab: Leaders Must Not Fail Refugees in the World’s Largest Camp

In Geneva, world leaders commenced this week for the annual meeting of the executive committee of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). Issues on refugee rights and safety were discussed, as MSF brought attention to the half a million Somalis living in extreme conditions and under fear in camps in Kenya. Urgent steps must also be taken to meet the basic needs of the refugees, particularly shelter and sanitation.

“We are seriously questioning the overall level of assistance provided to the refugees,” said Bruno Jochum, MSF general director, who visited Dadaab’s Dagahaley camp last week. “With security conditions worsening, basic services and the provision of aid have been significantly reduced, so it is no surprise that refugees are yet again facing disease outbreaks.”

Photo: Malnourished children often became unable to swallow and nasogastric intubation is required to feed them with enriched therapeutic milk. Ethiopia 2012 © Yann Libessart

MSF Assists Aid-Deprived Sudanese Refugees in Ethiopia

Nearly 40,000 Sudanese refugees fleeing conflict have sought refuge in Ethiopia. View this slideshow of our work in the area to aid the most vulnerable until the situation stabilizes.

An Escalating Health Crisis in South Sudan

Above: Asha Jibril cares for her two-year-old daughter Aziza Haran in the ITFC at MSF’s field hospital in Batil camp. A lack of nutritious food and clean water have left Aziza severely acutely malnourished and severely dehydrated.

Since November 2011, MSF has been operating emergency programs in South Sudan for tens of thousands of refugees who fled violence in Sudan’s South Kordofan and Blue Nile States. MSF has field hospitals in five refugee camps in Unity and Upper Nile states in South Sudan (Batil, Doro, Jamam, Yida, and Gendrassa). However, resources in the camps are stretched extremely thin, and the humanitarian crisis is only worsening as more refugees arrive. Heavy rains have exacerbated the situation, flooding camps and leaving refugees—many of whom have already endured the journey from Sudan on foot—vulnerable to diseases like diarrhea, malaria, and cholera.

Photo: South Sudan 2012 © Nichole Sobecki

An Escalating Health Crisis in South Sudan

Since November 2011, MSF has been operating emergency programs in South Sudan for tens of thousands of refugees who fled violence in Sudan’s South Kordofan and Blue Nile States. MSF has field hospitals in five refugee camps in Unity and Upper Nile states in South Sudan (Batil, Doro, Jamam, Yida, and Gendrassa). However, resources in the camps are stretched extremely thin, and the humanitarian crisis is only worsening as more refugees arrive. Heavy rains have exacerbated the situation, flooding camps and leaving refugees—many of whom have already endured the journey from Sudan on foot—vulnerable to diseases like diarrhea, malaria, and cholera.

Photo: An MSF clinical officer speaks with a woman on her way to MSF’s outpatient department in Batil camp.
South Sudan 2012 © Nichole Sobecki