A large part of the MSF field activities are geared towards IDPs and refugees. In 2021, 17% of MSF field projects assisted displaced people, and a further 23% were dedicated to assisting a mix of displaced people and the general population. With the number of people who have been forcibly displaced tripling over the last decade, their health needs continue to mount, and are not always met.

Our roots were put down in the camps set up for Vietnamese, Cambodian, Laotian, Afghan and Ethiopian refugees in the late ‘70s and ‘80s. MSF has a long history of assisting and protecting people.

The public health consequences of armed conflict and the displacement of people have been well documented during the past 30 years. We see high death rates among groups of IDPs and refugees but clear priorities have been identified to curb the mortality. The provision of adequate food, clean water, sanitation, and shelter have been demonstrated to be effective interventions.

Our teams in the field help curb mortality by conducting rapid needs assessments, establishing public health programme priorities, working closely with affected communities to organise and manage health facilities and essential medical supplies, raining local workers, coordinating with a complex array of relief organisations to monitor and evaluate the impact of their programmes, and efficientling manage scarce resources. 

Our work with IDPs and refugees includes a wide array of services such as; treatment of non-communicable diseases, vaccination campaigns, mental health activities, surgery and trauma care, out-patient consultations, maternal health services and obstetrics, provision of shelter, drinking water and latrines, and more.