365 Days of Saving Lives

Afghanistan: Responding to an earthquake amidst multiple crises

When a 5.9 magnitude earthquake struck the provinces of Khost and Paktika in eastern Afghanistan, we mobilized MSF teams with an emergency response that lasted five weeks, while also continuing our existing work in the country. The earthquake injured thousands of people and devastated homes.

The earthquake heightened an already unstable situation in Afghanistan: economic crisis, drought, and the remaining scars of years of conflict were already taking a toll on people. This past year, our teams witnessed an alarming rise in both malnutrition and measles among children. In response, we scaled up our treatment and screening campaigns.

Mozambique: Reaching displaced people with vital relief

In northern Mozambique’s Cabo Delgado province, escalated violence drove out more than 80,000 people from their homes in just a matter of weeks earlier this year.1 Ongoing violent conflict between government forces and non-state armed groups has displaced nearly one million people since 2017.

In only two months, MSF teams distributed over 2,000 relief kits to displaced families throughout the region. Staff continue to provide medical assistance in areas with established MSF projects.

MSF staff have also responded to the mounting mental health needs of displaced people in Cabo Delgado. Living through such a prolonged conflict—with little to no prospect of a stable future—has profound mental health consequences.

Somalia and Somaliland: Tackling a massive measles outbreak

In Somalia and Somaliland, a historic drought has compounded multiple health crises including malnutrition, measles outbreaks, ongoing insecurity due to conflict, and an invasion of locusts. Hundreds of thousands of people in search of assistance have been displaced as a result.

MSF teams are responding to widespread malnutrition and a massive measles outbreak. In July, support from our donors allowed us to conduct a mass vaccination campaign in partnership with Somaliland’s Ministry of Health Development. In a single month, MSF staff reached over 100,000 children.

Nigeria: Delivering lifesaving treatment for malnourished children

Violent attacks in northern Nigeria forced people to flee their homes and farms, pushing an already food-insecure region into crisis. In June, MSF teams screened over 35,000 children for malnutrition, and about one in four required urgent medical care.

Since January, MSF staff have treated close to 100,000 children with acute malnutrition in collaboration with Nigerian health authorities. In Zamfara state—one of the areas most impacted by violence—our teams witnessed a 64 percent increase in severely malnourished children treated in outpatient nutritional facilities.

In 2022, MSF has scaled up its activities in the region to meet the intense need for malnutrition treatment—made possible by the support of our steadfast donor community.