Spring 2021 | Volume 26 | Edition 1 Archives

50 years of humanity

MSF was founded 50 years ago on the belief that everyone has the right to medical care. Our medical action is grounded in human-to-human connection. We refuse to remain silent about inequities, abuse, violence and neglect that make our work necessary.

MSF pharmacist explaining medication to patient (Pakistan)

The humanitarian consequences of climate change and environmental degradation

MSF teams from around the world are reflecting on the health and humanitarian consequences of climate change.

Pandemic challenges healthcare globally and locally

The COVID-19 global health crisis continues to hold the world firmly in its grip.

Patients waiting at the entrance to the emergency room at Vargas hospital in Caracas

Venezuela: Consequences and secondary effects of COVID-19

Since it was declared a pandemic in March 2020, the new coronavirus has cost millions of lives. It has also affected people’s ability to access essential health services.

Isolated communities lack healthcare, face persistent cycles of violence

In the remote villages of Colombia’s Narino department, people confronted with medical emergencies often have few options when it comes to seeking care.

Couple holding young son, after being rescued from rubber boat in distress

An extraordinary year

2020 in photos: With the world in the throes of a global pandemic, MSF teams continued to provide medical care in crises. A diverse range of staff, local and agency photographers capture the stories of people we support and of MSF at work every day.

Understanding racism and making changes

While MSF offers medical care to people who are targeted, discriminated against and excluded, we need to go further in understanding and addressing biases and barriers that exist within our organization.

MSF Staff, Stephanie Amalia, in front of colourful mural

MSF counsellor supports and empowers youth

Stephanie Amalia, known as Fani, is an educator-counsellor from Depok, in West Java, Indonesia.

Family walking across snowy hill to cross border between Italy and France

People on the move during winter in northern Italy

Late 2020 saw a sharp increase in the number of migrants and refugees at Italy’s northern borders.

William “Grit” Laskin with his MSF-inspired guitar. Canada, 2020.

Changing ways of giving

William “Grit” Laskin combined passions for guitar making and supporting MSF by creating a beautiful guitar depicting MSF’s work through inlay art.

Who are MSF Canada STAFF ON ASSIGNMENT?

At any given moment, there are more than a hundred people working abroad on Doctors Without Borders/ Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) Canada contracts, helping provide care to people caught in crisis. They are doctors, nurses, engineers, coordinators, administrators, surgeons, logisticians and more, and they are drawn from all parts of Canada by the critical humanitarian needs that exist in places affected by conflict, disease, healthcare exclusion or disasters.

They help MSF provide essential care to people in more than 70 countries around the world. We thank them for their compassion, skills and dedication.

ADAPTATION DURING CRISIS