January

MSF staff in Gaza work to treat the injured; bombings make it extremely difficult to provide care January 2, 2009

MSF treats more survivors of the brutal Christmas Day attacks by the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) in Haut-Uélé Province, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) January 2, 2009

Teams in Kasai Occidental Province, DRC, respond to an outbreak of deadly Ebola hemorrhagic fever January 7, 2009

MSF staff members see fewer cholera patients in Zimbabwe but cases in urban areas remain high January 9, 2009

About 35 MSF-led teams take part in a vaccination campaign for yellow fever targeting 525,000 people in Sierra Leone January 12, 2009

Somali MSF medical teams treat 86 injured people over two weeks during intense fighting in Galgaduud, central Somalia January 13, 2009

Badly needed humanitarian assistance and materials must wait 10 days for authorization to enter Gaza January 14, 2009

Deadly LRA attacks continue in Haut-Uélé Province, DRC; MSF uses aircraft to reach and evacuate critically wounded survivors in unstable areas January 22, 2009

Congolese flee violence to Uganda, where MSF assists in Matanda camp January 23, 2009

MSF steps up surgeries, postoperative, pediatric, and mental health care in Gaza as fighting ends January 26, 2009

Heavy fighting forces MSF teams to evacuate Muhajariya, South Darfur, Sudan, and leave 350,000 people with no health care January 26, 2009

Some 250,000 civilians are trapped by conflict in northern Sri Lanka; NGOs are prohibited from entering the area January 28, 2009

More than 200 civilians are evacuated from the conflict zone in Sri Lanka; MSF helps treat many with lost limbs at Vavuniya hospital January 30, 2009

Cholera epidemic in Zimbabwe exceeds World Health Organization's "worst-case scenario" of 60,000 suspected cases; MSF continues to respond January 30, 2009

February

Two MSF medical staff are killed in Swat Valley, Pakistan, when the MSF ambulance they are riding in comes under fire February 3, 2009

MSF speaks out about the lack of protection for civilians in Haut-Uélé, DRC, during ongoing attacks by the LRA despite the presence of an international peacekeeping force February 4, 2009

MSF launches emergency intervention in Burundi in response to a food crisis causing high levels of malnutrition; 95 severely malnourished children are treated in the first two weeks February 4, 2009

First nine patients with drugresistant forms of TB successfully complete a rigorous two-year treatment regime at an MSF project in Zugdidi, Georgia February 6, 2009

MSF vaccinates more than 40,000 children for measles in Chad February 12, 2009

MSF releases a report on Zimbabwe's deteriorating health system and other underlying causes for the massive cholera epidemic; MSF has treated 45,000 cholera patients February 17, 2009

Team returns to Muhajariya, South Darfur, after evacuating following heavy violence; half the town has been displaced February 18, 2009

MSF releases a report on sexual violence in Guatemala, where 10,000 cases were reported in 2008; MSF teams in the capital scale up their response February 23, 2009

MSF teams treat 121 injured patients in 24 hours after intense violence in Mogadishu, Somalia February 23, 2009

March

South African officials announce the forced closure of an open field in Musina being used for temporary shelter by Zimbabweans seeking asylum, and where MSF provides mobile medical clinics March 4, 2009

MSF teams are expelled from five areas in West and South Darfur states - Feina, Kalma, Muhajariya, Niertiti, and Zalingei - shortly after the International Criminal Court issues an indictment of the Sudanese president March 4-5, 2009

MSF's expulsion from Darfur leaves 200,000 patients with no medical care and a meningitis outbreak in the region's largest camp with no response March 5, 2009

Renewed violence in northern Central African Republic (CAR) causes further displacement; MSF sees more patients with health complications but has to scale down activities due to insecurity March 6, 2009

MSF has treated nearly 56,000 people for cholera in Zimbabwe since August 2008; the epidemic is still far from over March 6, 2009

Three MSF international and two national staff are abducted in Serif Umra, North Darfur; one of the national staff is released; MSF suspends its remaining activities in Darfur March 11, 2009

MSF teams have treated more than 23,000 children for malnutrition in Burkina Faso since September 2007; most of them received ready-to-use food (RUF), 88 percent have been cured March 12, 2009

MSF staff held hostage in Darfur - a Canadian nurse, an Italian doctor, a French coordinator, and a Sudanese watchman - are all released unharmed after three days March 14, 2009

Banda, a village in Haut-Uélé, DRC, is attacked by the LRA; most MSF staff are evacuated from the sleeping sickness project located there March 16, 2009

MSF holds a two-day meeting with TB doctors, test developers, and others to discuss what is needed in a new test to diagnose TB, since current tests detect the disease in only half of those who have it March 23, 2009

MSF assists newly displaced people in Chocó region, Colombia, following an increase in fighting between paramilitaries and rebels March 27, 2009

April

MSF teams begin a mass vaccination campaign targeting 8 million people in Nigeria, Niger, and Chad to prevent meningitis epidemics from doing further damage April 1, 2009

The number of births at the MSF women's health program for Afghan refugees in Kuchlak, Pakistan, increases to 100 per month in its third year April 3, 2009

Two MSF staff are abducted in the Bakool region of Somalia April 19, 2009

In MSF-supported Vavuniya hospital in Sri Lanka, there are only 450 beds and 1,700 severely wounded patients arrived from the conflict zone April 20, 2009

Insecurity in Darfur forces more MSF projects to close but six projects remain active in the North; MSF holds discussions with officials about providing more assistance April 22, 2009

An MSF team finds 35 Somali and Ethiopian people dead on the shores of southern Yemen; they had left from Somalia on a smugglers' boat two days prior April 23, 2009

MSF resumes assistance to migrants on the island of Lampedusa, Italy April 27, 2009

The two MSF staff members abducted in the Bakool region of Somalia are released unharmed after nine days April 28, 2009

MSF teams in cooperation with the government have vaccinated 3 million children for meningitis in Nigeria and 2.5 million in Niger; the response to the outbreak continues April 29, 2009

New violence between army and rebel troops in northern CAR forces thousands to flee their homes; MSF organizes mobile health clinics April 30, 2009

May

After violent clashes in Southern Sudan, MSF treats patients who are wounded, malnourished, and sick with cholera May 1, 2009

MSF begins providing medical care in Iraq for the first time since 2004, performing surgery and patient care at a large hospital in Basra May 6, 2009

Violence in Swat region, northwestern Pakistan, forces MSF to reduce its activities; leaving a trapped population with even less access to health care May 7, 2009

As fewer people arrive from the conflict zone in northern Sri Lanka, MSF agrees to set up a new field hospital near camps for displaced people and focus on post-operative care at another hospital May 12, 2009

MSF treats 57 people, mostly women and children, injured in an attack on Torkej village in Upper Nile State, near the Jonglei State border, in Southern Sudan May 12, 2009

About 90 people injured in renewed fighting in Mogadishu, Somalia, receive care over five days at an MSF hospital in nearby Daynile May 13, 2009

MSF finishes vaccinating 7.5 million people against meningitis across West Africa May 15, 2009

MSF denounces growing pressure applied by Thailand's army to force Hmong refugees living in northern Thailand to return to Lao People's Democratic Republic May 20, 2009

Fighting continues in Pakistan's North West Frontier Province; MSF assists in camps for the displaced May 22, 2009

In the five days following the end of civil war in Sri Lanka, 77,000 people emerge from the conflict zone and overwhelm Vavuniya hospital; MSF provides support May 26, 2009

June

Zimbabwean refugees in South Africa continue to face appalling living conditions; MSF issues a report calling for change June 2, 2009

Violence rocks Somalia's capital; the number of MSF patients seeking care for shelling and gunshot injuries sharply increases June 2, 2009

Fighting between government forces and Al Houthi rebels continues in Razeh, northern Yemen; MSF treats the wounded June 5, 2009

Dozens of war-wounded patients arrive at MSF-run hospital in Guri El, Somalia, following fighting in the town of Webho June 5, 2009

MSF opens additional projects in northern DRC, to increase support to people ravaged by LRA attacks June 11, 2009

Violence in Pakistan's North West Frontier Province displaces more than 2.1 million people; MSF reinforces health structures June 16, 2009

Growing insecurity forces MSF to leave its largest health center in Somalia - in Bakool region - after nine years June 17, 2009

An MSF-rented vehicle is hijacked in North Galcayo, Somalia; a patient's caretaker is killed June 24, 2009

July

MSF's measles vaccination campaign curbs outbreak in Guri El, Somalia July 6, 2009

MSF resumes medical activities in detention centers for undocumented migrants and asylum-seekers in Malta July 6, 2009

To raise awareness of the neglected parasitic disease Chagas, MSF launches the "Break the Silence" campaign July 9, 2009

In Mali, MSF starts a vaccination project for 400,000 children hit by a measles epidemic July 10, 2009

MSF urges authorities to ensure humane living conditions and medical treatment for migrants living in makeshift camp in Patras, Greece July 13, 2009

Stagnation in HIV/AIDS funding and high cost of new medicines jeopardize thousands of poor patients, MSF warns at International AIDS Society Conference July 20, 2009

In southwest CAR, MSF opens a nutrition program after a study reveals a staggering rate of severely malnourished children July 23, 2009

August

A main hospital in Mosul, Iraq, receives emergency material from MSF in the wake of large bomb blast August 7, 2009

The looting of a clinic in Jilib, Somalia, threatens MSF's ability to deliver health care August 14, 2009

MSF responds to a cold spell in Peru that caused an increase in both the incidence of and mortality from respiratory infections and pneumonia in children under 5 August 14, 2009

Violence spikes in northern Yemen; MSF assists wounded and displaced as much as security allows August 18, 2009

MSF distributes 80,000 mosquito nets to people in Conakry, Guinea, where malaria is the leading cause of death August 21, 2009

Undocumented migrants who survive a boat tragedy arrive in Lampedusa, Italy, receive MSF assistance; 73 others feared dead at sea August 24, 2009

Sharp increase in cases of acute diarrhea in Mardan and Lower Dir districts of Pakistan; MSF steps up support to health care providers August 25, 2009

Violent attacks in Southern Sudan result in 42 deaths; MSF mobilizes to aid injured and displaced August 29, 2009

September

An MSF staff member who had been kidnapped during an armed robbery in Adé, Chad, is released unharmed after 29 days September 1, 2009

Papua New Guinea faces its first cholera outbreak in 50 years; MSF opens treatment center September 8, 2009

Another violent clash breaks out in Jonglei State, in Southern Sudan; wounded patients arrive at MSF's clinic in Pieri September 20, 2009

Hospitals are overwhelmed by hundreds of wounded after the violent repression of political protests in Conakry, Guinea; MSF provides support September 29 2009

MSF teams are dispatched to the Philippines to respond to deadly storms September 29, 2009

MSF launches international campaign urging largest drug companies to pool their patents on key HIV medicines September 30, 2009

October

MSF emergency teams respond to earthquakes in Indonesia and Samoa Islands and to tropical storm Ketsana in Philippines October 1, 2009

Severe flooding in eastern India leaves millions homeless; MSF distributes shelter and other materials October 6, 2009

MSF resumes work in Afghanistan after a five-year absence, supporting hospitals in Kabul and in Helmand Province October 9, 2009

Mobile MSF teams provide medical care and relief items amid new flooding and landslides in the Philippines October 13, 2009

Attacks and clashes spread to new areas of northern DRC; MSF continues providing more than 9,000 medical consultations a month October 14, 2009

Gunshot-wounded patients, reportedly injured in a demonstration, receive MSF care in Port Harcourt, Nigeria October 14, 2009

Razeh hospital in Northern Yemen is hit by rocket fire and forced to close; MSF calls for all parties to the conflict to respect medical facilities and patients' access to care October 16, 2009

Seven MSF vaccination sites in Masisi district, North Kivu Province, DRC, are attacked by the DRC army while thousands of children are receiving measles vaccinations; MSF denounces abuse of humanitarian action for military aims October 17, 2009

MSF begins handing over its tuberculosis program in Chechnya to the Ministry of Health October 20, 2009

In Lesvos, Greece, MSF reports worrying sanitary and living conditions for migrants inside a detention center; October 22, 2009

Armed conflict intensifies in southwestern Colombia; MSF provides medical care to those who fled their homes in Nariño Department October 26, 2009

MSF holds an international workshop with the Swaziland Ministry of Health to discuss the growing epidemic of HIV-TB co-infection in Southern Africa October 28, 2009

November

The second typhoon and third major storm in about a month hits the Philippines; MSF launches mobile clinics and identifies water and sanitation needs November 4, 2009

Near Shangil Tobaya in North Darfur, Sudan, violent clashes over scarce water resources displace 3,000 people; MSF treats the wounded and distributes relief items November 4, 2009

International support to combat HIV/AIDS is faltering, and that is likely to have a devastating impact on southern Africa, MSF warns in the report "Punishing Success?" November 5, 2009

MSF releases the report "Malnutrition: How Much is Being Spent?" in advance of the 2009 World Food Summit November 11, 2009

MSF responds to a dengue fever outbreak in Cape Verde, the largest ever recorded in Africa November 11, 2009

MSF speaks out when the World Food Summit ends with no commitment from the international community to tackle childhood malnutrition and no funds committed to directly target malnutrition; in 2008, MSF treated more than 300,000 malnourished children November 17, 2009

When international donors meet to discuss funding for Sierra Leone, MSF urges them to implement the government's new proposal that would allow free health care for children and women; the country has some of the highest rates of child and maternal mortality November 17, 2009

New Italian government policy results in migrants being intercepted at sea and forced back to Africa during extremely dangerous journeys over the Mediterranean; with few patients, MSF suspends its program for newly arrived migrants in Lampedusa, Italy, and voices concern for the fate of these tens of thousands of people in need of assistance November 19, 2009

Some 24,000 refugees from northwestern DRC arrive in Republic of Congo fleeing violence; MSF, the only aid organization present, provides medical care and urges other aid agencies to act November 23, 2009

December

In Pakistan, MSF requests approval to provide urgently needed surgery and other medical assistance in Dera Ismael Khan District after 300,000 people are displaced by fighting in South Waziristan Province. But the presence of international staff is denied by authorities December 10, 2009

As civilians in Southern Sudan suffer from continuing and increased violence, national and international responses to people's urgent needs are inadequate; MSF calls on government authorities, international donors, and relief organizations to prioritize immediate humanitarian needs December 14, 2009

International health financing agency UNITAID decides to move forward with the creation of a patent pool, a mechanism that could make patent-protected life-saving medicines available for generic production, thus making them accessible in developing countries December 15, 2009

MSF releases its 12th annual "Top Ten" Humanitarian Crises list; civilians attacked, bombed, and cut off from aid in Pakistan, Somalia, Yemen, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, and DRC, along with stagnant funding for treating HIV/AIDS and ongoing neglect of other diseases, were among the worst emergencies in 2009 December 21, 2009

The Thai government begins expelling the remaining 4,000 Hmong refugees in Huai Nam Khao camp in Thailand's Petchabun Province, sending them back to Laos. The expulsions are conducted without monitoring from a third party and in violation of international law, which states that individuals who fear for their lives or safety may not be repatriated by force and that all repatriated individuals must have safety guarantees; MSF left the camp in May, unable to provide adequate medical care due to Thai military pressure December 28, 2009